Nicki Minaj and Drake have long stood at the pinnacle of hip-hop greatness, each boasting an impressive legacy filled with record-breaking hits, cultural impact, and unwavering fan bases. Though both artists are confident in their own claim to the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) title, their relationship goes far beyond mere competition. Their deep-rooted bond, forged during their early days under the Young Money Entertainment label, continues to define their dynamic — one built on mutual respect, playful rivalry, and enduring loyalty.
Recently, Nicki Minaj added another major milestone to her already stellar career with the release of the “Banned From NO” remix, her latest collaboration with longtime mentor and Young Money founder, Lil Wayne. The track is part of the polarizing yet commercially successful Tha Carter VI rollout, and it quickly made waves in the music industry upon its release.
In just two days of tracking, “Banned From NO (Remix)” stormed to the top of Billboard’s Rap Digital Song Sales chart, debuting at number one. With this feat, Nicki officially broke her tie with Drake for the most number-one songs in the history of the chart. She now holds a record-breaking 24 chart-topping songs, surpassing the Toronto rapper and solidifying her reign in digital rap sales.
While this latest win is undeniably a major personal achievement for Nicki Minaj, her response to the news was all love. Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, June 18, the Trinidadian-born superstar gave a respectful and affectionate nod to her labelmate and friend:
“drizzy mthfkn drake >>>” she posted, signaling not only her admiration but also their unbreakable Young Money connection.
The sentiment behind her tweet resonated with fans of both artists, many of whom have witnessed the duo’s journey from breakout stars to genre-defining icons. Their careers have often mirrored each other’s, marked by shared chart successes, iconic collaborations like “Moment 4 Life” and “Truffle Butter,” and moments of distance — yet they’ve always found their way back to celebrating each other’s victories.
Nicki Minaj Breaks Billboard Record, Celebrates Drake While Cementing Her GOAT Status
What makes this latest chart-topper even more impressive is its broader impact across other Billboard rankings. Beyond the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, “Banned From NO (Remix)” also debuted at number five on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart — a competitive all-genre list — with just 48 hours of tracking. This strong showing highlights not only Nicki Minaj’s enduring commercial power but also her fan base’s continued commitment to purchasing music in an era dominated by streaming.
Nicki’s supporters, affectionately known as the Barbz, have long played a key role in her digital sales dominance. While most artists in today’s streaming era focus solely on racking up numbers on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, Nicki has uniquely maintained her edge in the digital download space, where fans are still actively buying her songs. This dual success strategy — dominating both digital sales and streaming — is rare in the modern music industry, and it sets her apart from even her closest contemporaries.
The record-breaking success of the “Banned From NO” remix comes at a pivotal time for Minaj, who has spent the past year reasserting her influence across hip-hop and pop culture. With her long-awaited Pink Friday 2 album still generating buzz, a world tour in full swing, and several high-profile collaborations in the pipeline, Nicki Minaj is firmly in her renaissance era — and she’s not letting up anytime soon.
Her victory over Drake on this particular chart may fuel friendly competition between the two superstars, but it also underscores their unique bond as Young Money alumni. Both artists emerged under the mentorship of Lil Wayne, and both have gone on to become icons in their own right. As they continue to evolve and dominate the industry in their own ways, moments like these remind fans that at the heart of their success is a shared legacy built on respect, talent, and unshakable camaraderie.
With 24 number-one songs now under her belt on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart, Nicki Minaj is once again rewriting the rules for what’s possible in hip-hop — particularly for women in a genre that has long been male-dominated. And if her gracious shoutout to Drake is any indication, she’s doing it with humility, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for those who have walked the journey alongside her.
In the end, whether you stan Drake, Nicki, or both, one thing is clear: the Young Money dynasty continues to shape the sound and spirit of modern rap. And as Nicki Minaj keeps stacking accolades, her place in the GOAT conversation only becomes harder to ignore.