No Frauds
"No Frauds" is a hip hop diss track by American rapper Nicki Minaj, featuring Canadian rapper Drake and American rapper Lil Wayne, released on March 10, 2017, as Minaj's response to rival rapper Remy Ma's seven-minute diss song "Shether," which accused Minaj of various personal and professional shortcomings.[1][2] The track, produced by Murda Beatz and CuBeatz, addresses the feud head-on through Minaj's verses, which defend her career achievements and mock Ma's credibility, while Drake and Lil Wayne provide supporting bars emphasizing loyalty and success within their Young Money collective.[1][3] Upon release, "No Frauds" generated significant buzz due to the high-profile beef, debuting at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the issue dated April 1, 2017, marking Minaj's highest debut that week and her 22nd top-40 entry on the chart. It also entered the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number eight, propelled by strong digital sales of 78,861 downloads in its first week, alongside streaming activity that highlighted the song's viral appeal on social media.[4][5][6] The track's commercial success underscored Minaj's enduring influence in rap, as it became one of three new songs she released that day—all of which charted—further cementing her record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries by a female rapper at the time.[7] A music video for "No Frauds" was released on April 19, 2017, directed by Benny Boom and filmed in various locations in London with cameo appearances by Drake and Lil Wayne.[8][9] The video amplified the song's impact, boosting Minaj's visibility on the Billboard Social 50 chart where she re-entered the top 10 shortly after its premiere.[8] Live performances further elevated its profile, including a medley at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on May 21, where Minaj opened the show alongside Lil Wayne and other collaborators, blending "No Frauds" into a high-energy set that showcased her stage prowess.[10] Overall, the song not only resolved the immediate feud—effectively sidelining Ma's response—but also reinforced Minaj's status as a dominant force in hip hop through its sharp lyricism and cultural resonance.[1]Background and release
Feud context
The feud between Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma, two prominent female rappers in hip-hop, originated from longstanding tensions in the New York rap scene but escalated into overt conflict starting in 2015 through subtle disses in their music. In March 2015, Remy Ma released a freestyle over Minaj's 2014 track "Truffle Butter," including lines such as "I’m like in a minute let me body b—hes’ records," which were widely interpreted as shots at Minaj's shift toward pop-influenced music and her dominance in the genre.[11] This marked the beginning of a pattern of veiled references, as Ma positioned herself as a more authentic street rapper post her 2014 release from prison, contrasting with Minaj's commercial success under Young Money Entertainment.[12] The rivalry simmered through 2016 with additional indirect jabs. In September 2016, during her BET Hip Hop Awards cypher performance, Ma declared herself the "queen of NY" and a "mothaf—kin monster," lines perceived by fans and media as challenging Minaj's self-proclaimed "Queen of Rap" title.[11] This was followed in November 2016 by Ma's track "Money Showers" featuring Fat Joe, where she questioned a rival's crown with the lyric "Who the fuck gave you your crown, bitch? Steve Harvey?"—a clear allusion to Minaj.[13] Later that month, on the remix of Phresher's "Wait a Minute," Ma referenced an adversary using ghostwriters, another pointed critique amid rumors surrounding Minaj's songwriting process.[11] Despite a brief moment of apparent reconciliation in June 2016, when Ma publicly congratulated Minaj on her BET Award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist via Twitter, the underlying competition persisted, fueled by the scarcity of top-tier opportunities for women in hip-hop.[13] Tensions boiled over in early 2017, with Minaj firing the first overt shot. On February 23, 2017, in guest verses on Jason Derulo's "Swalla" and Kodak Black's "Make Love," Minaj mocked Ma's low album sales and dismissed her claims to rap royalty, rapping lines like "Stomach too bloated to toot, toot" in reference to Ma's post-pregnancy physique and career stagnation.[11] This prompted Ma's explosive response on February 25, 2017, when she released "Shether"—a seven-minute diss track sampling Nas's iconic "Ether" beat—accusing Minaj of surgical enhancements, failed relationships, ghostwriting, and professional sabotage, including cover art depicting a dismembered Barbie doll to symbolize Minaj's persona.[13][12] The track's release amplified the feud within hip-hop's diss culture, a tradition of lyrical confrontations dating back to classics like "Ether," where artists settle scores publicly to assert dominance and authenticity.[12] Minaj initially avoided a direct musical retort, opting for social media clapbacks. On February 26, 2017, she posted an Instagram video of Beyoncé affirming her as the "queen of rap" to counter "Shether's" attacks.[11] Ma followed up on March 2, 2017, with "Another One," deriding Minaj's silence as weakness and reiterating personal barbs.[11] The buildup culminated on March 10, 2017, when Minaj announced the "#3PackFromParis" on social media—a trio of new tracks released from Paris—including "No Frauds" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne, her pointed counter-diss framing the feud as a defense of her Young Money legacy against Ma's aggression.[11] This exchange highlighted internal dynamics at Young Money, where Minaj's alliances with labelmates like Drake and Wayne bolstered her position, while underscoring broader hip-hop rivalries that often blend personal animosity with cultural gatekeeping for female artists.[12]Recording and release
The recording sessions for "No Frauds" occurred in early March 2017 in Paris, France, during Paris Fashion Week, as part of Nicki Minaj's surprise "#3PackFromParis" project.[14] The track's production was handled by Murda Beatz and Cubeatz, who developed the beat in advance of the vocal recordings.[3] Minaj laid down her verse specifically as a rebuttal to Remy Ma's diss track "Shether," which had been released on February 25, 2017, allowing for a rapid assembly of the full song with features from Drake and Lil Wayne.[11] "No Frauds" premiered as a digital download on March 10, 2017, distributed through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records.[15] It launched alongside the other two tracks from the "#3PackFromParis" set—"Changed It" featuring Lil Wayne and "Regret in Your Tears"—marking Minaj's first major musical output of the year.[16] The single debuted as an iTunes exclusive before expanding to additional streaming platforms shortly thereafter.[17] Minaj built anticipation for the release via social media posts incorporating the "#3PackFromParis" hashtag earlier that day.[18] In the hours following the drop, she escalated the feud by challenging Remy Ma on Instagram to produce a hit record within 72 hours, wagering $500,000 on the outcome.[19]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"No Frauds" is classified as a hip-hop and rap diss track with prominent trap influences, characterized by its confrontational tone and rhythmic drive. The song has a runtime of 4:33 and maintains a tempo of 139 beats per minute, contributing to its energetic and urgent pace suitable for a battle rap context.[20] The production, handled by Murda Beatz and CuBeatz, emphasizes a minimalistic trap beat designed to underscore the lyrical confrontations. Key sonic elements include booming 808 bass lines that provide a heavy low-end foundation, sparse hi-hat patterns for rhythmic propulsion, and subtle synth layers that maintain a tense, atmospheric backdrop without overwhelming the vocals.[3][16][21] Structurally, the track opens with a brief intro tag from producer Murda Beatz, transitioning into a bridge and recurring chorus led by Minaj that sets the theme of rejecting deceit. Minaj delivers two extended verses, followed by contributions from Drake and Lil Wayne, each with their own verse; the arrangement builds intensity through overlapping ad-libs and vocal overlaps, culminating in a reinforced chorus. Vocally, Minaj employs an aggressive, rapid-fire flow infused with Trinidadian patois for emphasis and cultural flair, while Drake adopts a smoother, melodic rap delivery, and Lil Wayne focuses on dense, punchline-driven bars to heighten the track's combative energy.[22][23]Lyrical content
"No Frauds" centers on the theme of rejecting inauthenticity and "frauds" within the hip-hop industry, with Nicki Minaj primarily directing her bars at Remy Ma to undermine her credibility, career trajectory, and personal decisions.[22] The track's chorus reinforces this motif through repetitive declarations like "I don’t need no, frauds / I don’t need no, drama when you call," establishing a defensive stance against perceived fakeness while emphasizing loyalty among collaborators.[24] In her opening verse, Minaj launches pointed attacks on Ma's past, referencing her 2008 conviction and subsequent imprisonment for assaulting a friend over a stolen $3,000, with lines such as "What type of bum bitch shoot a friend over a rack? / What type of mother leave her one son over a stack?," alluding to Ma leaving her young son Jayson behind during her six-year sentence from 2008 to 2014.[22][25] Minaj further critiques Ma's commercial viability by questioning her relevance with "You can’t be Pablo if your work ain’t sellin’," a jab at the sales of Ma's 2017 album Plata O Plomo, which draws thematic inspiration from Pablo Escobar, and accuses her of relying on ghostwriters in "You exposed your ghostwriter, now you wish it was scrapped," implying Ma's disses lack originality.[22] To contrast, Minaj boasts about her own successes, highlighting her independence with "I never signed a 360, bitch you wild dumb / That’s why Jay ain’t clear his verse for your album," referring to her avoidance of exploitative record deals and high-profile connections like Jay-Z.[22] Drake's verse provides subtle support for Minaj amid her feud, incorporating indirect shots at her then-ex Meek Mill by rapping "Pretty much the guy you can't get a text back from / Even if you offer the world or a million bucks," evoking Mill's public complaints about unreturned messages during their 2015 beef, and culminating in "Couldn't get a text back from a fraud."[22] His contribution underscores camaraderie with lines like "Me and Nicki pull up, lookin’ like a million bucks," positioning the Young Money collective as superior without overt aggression toward Ma.[22] Lil Wayne's closing verse delivers humorous disses aimed at Ma and her husband Papoose, including a vulgar play on Papoose's name in Minaj's earlier line "Heard your pussy on yuck, I guess you needed a Pap," which Wayne echoes through boastful loyalty to the crew, stating "I am not a fraud, YM, I’m the god" and praising "Drake a headliner, and Nicki, she get finer."[22] His self-deprecating humor shines in "I just looked in the mirror like, 'Alright, alright, alright' / I would let that little nigga right there fuck my wife, word," lightening the track's intensity while reinforcing anti-fraud sentiment with "I don’t need no fraud bitches in and out my life."[22] The lyrics employ various rhetorical devices to heighten impact, including alliteration in phrases like "wrist-es up, all my bitches up" and "back to back, oh you mean back to wack?," which mimic the rhythm of classic diss tracks.[22] Wordplay abounds, such as the pun on Ma's appearance post-surgery in "Left the operating table, still look like 'nah'," and cultural references to hip-hop feuds—like Drake's nod to his own "Back to Back" diss and Minaj's invocation of LeBron James's ring count to parallel sales debates—tie the content to broader genre traditions of rivalry and braggadocio.[22][26]Promotion
Live performances
"No Frauds" received its first live performance on March 12, 2017, when Nicki Minaj surprised fans by joining Drake onstage during his Boy Meets World Tour concert at AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, where the duo delivered the track amid high energy from the crowd.[27] Minaj brought the song to television for the first time at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on May 21, 2017, opening the ceremony with a star-studded medley that featured "No Frauds" alongside "Light My Body Up," "Swalla," and "Regret in Your Tears"; Lil Wayne joined her for his verse on "No Frauds," while David Guetta and Jason Derulo appeared for the other tracks.[10] The performance, characterized by elaborate staging with dancers and Minaj seated on a throne, served as a key part of the song's promotional rollout.[28] Later that year, on June 26, 2017, Minaj performed a full version of "No Frauds" at the inaugural NBA Awards, incorporating it into a medley with "Realize" and a remix of Katy Perry's "Swish Swish."[29] She also delivered the song at a Power 105.1 Summer Jam concert on June 11, 2017, at Pier 36 in New York, blending it with "Swish Swish" in a remix format.[30] These live renditions, particularly during the height of Minaj's feud with Remy Ma, amplified fan engagement, as evidenced by Minaj's call at Hot 107.9's Birthday Bash concert on June 18, 2017, where she prompted the audience to "make some noise if you have a hating ass fraud ass bitch in yo life," eliciting strong crowd response tied to the song's diss lyrics.[31] The track appeared in select live sets throughout Minaj's career, including variations in medleys at award shows and concerts, though it was not a staple in her major tours like The Nicki Wrld Tour (2018–2019) or the Pink Friday 2 World Tour (2024).Marketing efforts
The marketing efforts for "No Frauds" centered on leveraging the high-profile feud with Remy Ma to generate buzz through digital platforms and strategic media placements. Nicki Minaj actively used her social media presence on Twitter and Instagram to amplify the track's release, posting teasers and direct challenges to Ma shortly after dropping the song on March 10, 2017. In one notable instance, Minaj offered Ma $500,000 if she could deliver a verse surpassing Minaj's own, a bet embedded in the lyrics and highlighted in her posts to provoke engagement and viral discussion among fans.[32][1] To surprise fans and capitalize on streaming momentum, "No Frauds" was packaged as part of the "#3PackFromParis" initiative, a trio of unexpected singles released simultaneously on March 10, 2017, including "No Frauds," "Regret in Your Tears," and "Changed It" with Lil Wayne. This surprise drop, teased via the hashtag on Minaj's social channels earlier that day, aimed to dominate digital charts and fan conversations by bundling the diss track with complementary releases under Young Money/Cash Money Records. The collaboration with labelmates Drake and Lil Wayne further cross-promoted the project within the Young Money ecosystem, drawing on their established fanbases to boost visibility.[33][34] Media appearances reinforced the feud's narrative without delving into deep analysis, focusing instead on Minaj's artistic response. In a May 23, 2017, appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Minaj briefly addressed "No Frauds" amid broader discussions of her career, name-dropping host Ellen DeGeneres in the track's lyrics for added promotional tie-in. Radio promotion was aggressive from the outset, with "No Frauds" securing 17 adds in its second week at urban radio, positioning it as a top priority for stations and extending its reach beyond streaming. Limited-edition digital bundles of the #3PackFromParis tracks were made available on platforms like iTunes, offering fans exclusive access to the full set and encouraging bundled purchases to heighten sales potential.[35][36]Music video
Production
The music video for "No Frauds" was directed by Benny Boom and primarily filmed in London, United Kingdom, during late March 2017. Principal photography for Nicki Minaj's scenes took place on March 21, 2017, capturing exterior shots along the River Thames and key landmarks such as Westminster Bridge, where Minaj appears in regal poses against the backdrop of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Additional filming occurred at opulent indoor locations designed to evoke luxury and royalty, including throne rooms and lavish sets that symbolically contrasted the song's themes of authenticity versus deception. These creative decisions emphasized Minaj's self-proclaimed status as the "queen of rap," with visual motifs of crowns, fur coats, and gilded elements reinforcing the track's lyrical assertions of dominance.[9] Filming faced significant challenges due to its timing, as the Westminster Bridge scenes were shot just one day before the March 22, 2017, terrorist attack on the same location, which killed five people and injured dozens. This proximity led to intense public scrutiny and debates over the appropriateness of including the footage in the final video, prompting initial plans to reshoot those segments out of respect for the victims, but ultimately some shots were retained, contributing to later controversy. No specific production budget details were publicly disclosed, but the video's high-production values, including elaborate costumes and set designs, aligned with Minaj's history of investing in visually striking visuals for her releases.[37][38][39] Minaj played a hands-on role in the creative process, particularly overseeing her styling to feature bold, couture ensembles that blended high fashion with dramatic flair, such as a custom red vegan sculpture dress by Atelier Jivomir Domoustchiev and a caged mask by Indonesian designer Rinaldy Yunardi. These outfits, curated by stylist Maher Jridi, highlighted Minaj's commanding presence and tied into the video's opulent aesthetic. Drake and Lil Wayne's verses were filmed separately from Minaj's London shoots, with their segments appearing in more intimate, studio-like interiors—Drake in a wood-paneled library and Wayne surrounded by stacks of cash—allowing for efficient integration without requiring their travel to the UK. This modular approach to production enabled the collaborators to contribute remotely while maintaining the video's cohesive narrative of Young Money solidarity.[40][41][42]Content and release
The music video for "No Frauds," directed by Benny Boom, portrays Nicki Minaj as a glamorous, regal anti-heroine navigating the streets of London, emphasizing themes of dominance and authenticity in the rap industry.[43][44] Minaj is depicted driving through the city in luxury vehicles, posing confidently in front of landmarks like Big Ben, and intercut with vignettes that highlight diss elements from the track, including symbolic contrasts between opulent success and inauthenticity. Drake appears in a wood-paneled library setting, while Lil Wayne features in a separate, lighthearted throne sequence, necessitated by his UK entry ban, adding a comedic touch to the collaborative dynamic.[45][46] Visually, the video employs high-fashion aesthetics, with Minaj in elaborate outfits and a bedazzled crown, complemented by slow-motion shots of luxury cars and urban London backdrops to evoke power and exclusivity. Symbolic elements, such as royal thrones and gilded settings, reinforce the narrative of triumph over "frauds," mirroring the song's lyrical jabs at rivals and imposters. The 5:25 runtime integrates these motifs seamlessly, blending high-production glamour with pointed thematic ties to the track's message of genuine achievement versus failure.[44][43][9] The video premiered exclusively on YouTube and VEVO on April 19, 2017, following weeks of teasers on Minaj's social media accounts that built anticipation around the diss track's visual realization. Filming took place primarily in London, capturing the city's iconic sites to underscore Minaj's global stature. It amassed over 5 million views within the first day of release, highlighting immediate fan engagement with its bold imagery and star-powered cameos.[47][45][48]Reception
The music video for "No Frauds," released on April 19, 2017, immediately drew backlash for including footage shot on Westminster Bridge in London on March 21, 2017—just one day before a terrorist attack that killed five people and injured dozens more.[37] Viewers and critics condemned the scenes as insensitive, particularly as it featured the site of the recent terrorist attack.[49] Although Minaj had publicly offered condolences via Twitter shortly after the attack, reports indicated initial plans to edit out the footage were not fully realized, intensifying the controversy.[37] Despite the criticism, the video received praise for its high-production cinematography and Minaj's dominant on-screen presence, with collaborators Drake and Lil Wayne adding to its star power. Rolling Stone highlighted its "regal" aesthetic, portraying Minaj as claiming her throne amid London's landmarks.[43] Billboard emphasized the visual's fierce energy, describing how Minaj "unleashed her claws" in a clip that amplified the track's confrontational tone.[50] Media outlets like Billboard and Rolling Stone covered the video's stylish execution and thematic ties to the diss track's lyrical content, while public discourse included debates over its potency as a response to Remy Ma's "Shether." The video has garnered over 237 million views on YouTube as of October 2024, reflecting sustained viewer interest.[51] It received no major awards.Commercial performance
Chart performance
"No Frauds" debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 dated April 1, 2017, marking its peak position as well, driven by strong digital sales and streaming in the wake of its surprise release amid Nicki Minaj's feud with Remy Ma.[52] The track spent a total of 7 weeks on the chart, experiencing a sharp decline to number 84 in its second week before climbing slightly to number 75 in the third week.[53] On other US charts, it reached number 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 10 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.[54] Internationally, the song achieved moderate success, peaking at number 25 on the Canadian Hot 100 and spending 10 weeks on the chart.[53] In the United Kingdom, it debuted and peaked at number 49 on the UK Singles Chart for one week.[55] It reached number 43 in France on the Singles Chart, also for one week.[53] The track's performance was bolstered by robust streaming, accumulating approximately 169 million global streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[56] The initial chart boost for "No Frauds" was largely attributed to the publicity surrounding Minaj's diss track response to Remy Ma's "Shether," combined with high-profile features from Drake and Lil Wayne, which generated significant buzz and digital consumption upon release.[7] However, its rapid decline on major charts was influenced by limited sustained radio airplay following the initial hype.| Chart (2017) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 14 | 7 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 8 | N/A |
| US Hot Rap Songs | 10 | N/A |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 25 | 10 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 49 | 1 |
| France (SNEP) | 43 | 1 |