The bitter breakup and public accusations following more than a decade together. Nicki Minaj & Safaree Samuels

#NOLAZINE - Before Nicki Minaj became one of the biggest female rappers in hip-hop history, she shared a longtime relationship with rapper and television personality Safaree Samuels. Their romance lasted approximately 12 years, beginning long before the fame, fortune, and worldwide recognition.

The two met during their early days in the music industry and were both associated with the New York rap group Hoodstars. As Nicki's career began taking off, Safaree remained by her side, supporting her journey from underground mixtapes to international superstardom.

However, behind the scenes, their relationship was becoming increasingly complicated. By 2014, the couple had officially separated, ending more than a decade together.

What followed was one of hip-hop's most talked-about celebrity breakups.

After their split, Safaree publicly claimed he had contributed to Nicki's songwriting and played an important role in building her career. Nicki disputed his claims, and the former couple exchanged accusations through interviews and social media.

Their feud intensified in 2018 when both made serious allegations about incidents during their relationship. Nicki accused Safaree of financial misconduct, while Safaree alleged that Nicki had physically injured him during an argument. These were competing public accusations, not independently established findings.

Following the breakup, Nicki moved on to a relationship with rapper Meek Mill, while Safaree pursued his own career in music and reality television, appearing on VH1's Love & Hip Hop franchise.

What makes their story so compelling is that Safaree was there before Nicki became a global superstar. They experienced the struggles of the music business together, but their relationship ultimately ended amid fame, personal disagreements, and public controversy.

More than a decade after their breakup, Nicki Minaj and Safaree Samuels' relationship remains a memorable chapter in hip-hop history, showing how love, loyalty, money, and success can become deeply complicated when personal relationships and business collide.