A chilling threat from a music industry figure has pulled a U.S. congresswoman into the world of hip-hop drama, as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna steps in to protect Nicki Minaj. On July 18, 2025, the Florida Republican confirmed she spoke directly with the rap superstar after Minaj reported a disturbing comment made by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) affiliate MackWop. The incident, which Minaj called a possible assassination threat, has sparked concerns about artist safety and corruption in the rap industry.
The controversy began on July 16, 2025, during a livestream where MackWop, a DJ linked to TDE since 2008, told Minaj to “relax” or risk being “put in the blender like your boy did.” Minaj interpreted this as a reference to Tory Lanez, who was stabbed in prison in May 2025, though some speculate it alluded to Drake’s 2024 rap battle loss to TDE’s Kendrick Lamar. The comment came amid a heated feud between Minaj and TDE, which flared up on July 15 when Minaj accused TDE president Terrence “Punch” Henderson of bullying her online. She also targeted TDE artist SZA with harsh remarks about her appearance and career, escalating tensions.
Feeling threatened, Minaj took to X on July 17, tagging the FBI and CIA and demanding an investigation into MackWop’s statement. She wrote,
“Is this a threat? @FBI I want this man investigated right away,”
and linked the comment to broader allegations of “shady business” in the industry. Minaj also reached out to Rep. Luna, stating,
“@RepLuna this man just publicly threatened me. I’ve notified the FBI & CIA. I want this thug locked up & I’m ready to talk about everything these ppl have done to me.”
Luna responded quickly on X, saying,
“Please text my cell, I will forward this to law enforcement immediately. Threats of violence and assassination should be taken very seriously. Hope you’re ok, we’ll talk soon @NICKIMINAJ.”
Later, Luna confirmed their conversation, posting,
“Can confirm, I spoke with @NICKIMINAJ directly and will be doing everything we can to ensure her safety. We take threats of violence and assassination very seriously. RICO is also illegal. I am deeply concerned that there has been unchecked corruption within certain aspects of the rap industry. Artists should be respected and not afraid of managers, labels, etc.”
Luna’s involvement highlights the gravity of the situation, as she vowed to forward the alleged threat to law enforcement. Her mention of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) violations ties into Minaj’s ongoing claims of systemic issues in the music industry. Earlier, on July 9, Minaj accused Jay-Z of owing her $100 million to $200 million from their Tidal partnership, vowing to use the funds for her #StudentOfTheGame charity to support fans’ education.
The public reaction on X has been intense, with fans rallying behind Minaj. One user wrote,
“THANK YOU, Rep. Luna. We seriously need you to look into this. SHE out here calling an icon miserable & making threats against her life & career, it’sn’t just shade, it’s dangerous.”
MackWop later clarified during his livestream that he meant no harm, calling Minaj “dope,” but the damage was done. With Minaj’s history of calling out industry figures and Luna’s pledge to investigate, this incident raises bigger questions about artist safety and power dynamics in hip-hop.
