On Thursday, Billboard staff ranked Cardi B as the No. 1 female rapper right now, citing her dominance in cultural conversations, her Best Female Hip Hop artist win at BET Awards, three wins at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards among other achievements. The list leaves Nicki Minaj off the top 10 altogether despite Minaj’s continued commercial success, both in the U.S. and globally as a rapper.
The ranking placed Yung Miami at No. 2, followed by Sexyy Red, Monaleo, Doechii, Latto, Trim, YK Niece, Molly Santana, and Megan Thee Stallion at No. 10.
The omission has sparked debate among fans, particularly because Nicki Minaj is currently the only rapper to earn a No. 1 song on Spotify’s Global chart this year and has spent the past three months as the No. 1 rapper on both Spotify Global and Spotify U.S.
Her song “Beauty and a Beat” with Justin Bieber has spent 31 days at #1 on the Global Spotify chart in 2026.
Minaj is also the most-streamed female rapper in Spotify history with 43.3 billion streams. Alongside Doja Cat, she ranks among the two most-streamed female rappers of 2026 across major digital music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and iTunes.
Beyond streaming charts and regardless of opinions on current rankings, Billboard Hot 100 history offers an objective comparison between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. While both have built remarkable chart careers, they have done so in very different ways. Nicki’s legacy is defined by longevity and consistency, while Cardi’s résumé is highlighted by an exceptional ability to produce No. 1 records.
Billboard Hot 100 Comparison
Nicki Minaj has accumulated 1,579 total weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, compared with 367 weeks for Cardi B.
She also owns a commanding lead in total chart entries with 149 songs, while Cardi has charted 65. Nicki has earned 23 Top 10 hits, compared with 13 for Cardi.
Cardi, however, has the advantage at the summit of the chart. She has scored five No. 1 singles that have combined for 16 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Nicki has earned three No. 1 hits, each spending one week at No. 1, for a total of three weeks.
First and Latest Hot 100 Appearances
Nicki Minaj made her Billboard Hot 100 debut on February 20, 2010, as a featured artist on Lil Wayne’s “Knockout.”Her most recent Hot 100 appearance came with “AGATS2 (Insecure)” alongside Juice WRLD, which debuted on November 30, 2024.
Cardi B first entered the Hot 100 on July 22, 2017, with her breakthrough hit “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves).” Her latest chart appearance is “Safe,” which debuted on October 4, 2025.
Their Longest-Charting Hits
Nicki Minaj’s longest-running Hot 100 hit is “Super Bass,” which spent 39 weeks on the chart while peaking at No. 3. Her collaboration with Doja Cat, “Say So,” follows closely with 38 weeks and became one of her three No. 1 singles.
Cardi B’s longest-charting hit is “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5, which remained on the Hot 100 for 52 weeks, including seven weeks at No. 1. Close behind is “I Like It” with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, which spent 51 weeks on the chart and reached No. 1.
Different Paths to Success
Nicki Minaj’s Billboard career is built on sustained success. Since first charting in 2010, she has consistently placed solo singles, collaborations, and album tracks on the Hot 100, giving her the largest catalog of chart entries by any female rapper.
Her three No. 1 records are:
- “Say So” (with Doja Cat)
- “TROLLZ” (with 6ix9ine)
- “Super Freaky Girl”
Cardi B’s chart story is different. Although she has fewer overall entries, a larger share of her biggest releases have reached the top of the chart.
Her five No. 1 hits are:
- “Bodak Yellow” (3 weeks at No. 1)
- “I Like It” (1 week)
- “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5 (7 weeks)
- “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion (4 weeks)
- “Up” (1 week)
Those five singles alone account for 16 weeks at No. 1, illustrating Cardi’s remarkable efficiency at turning hit records into chart-topping successes.
