Following a brief social media altercation with rapper Nicki Minaj over remarks he made at the Stink N Dutty celebration on February 22, 2025, Soca artist Machel Montano has taken steps to make amends.
Montano has now characterized what at first seemed to be a public meltdown as a straightforward misunderstanding.
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In a recent interview following another event, Montano expressed his sincere regret to the rapper from Trinidad, with whom he had previously worked.
When Montano performed at the yearly Stink N Dutty celebration in Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, he sang the lyric “don’t fight me down” from his song Good Spirit and further noted, “Nicki Minaj, stop fight me down. Trinidad Killa, stop fight me down. I’s your daddy. I is your daddy.”
He said that some fans mistook his passionate performance, which was propelled by the audience’s tremendous response for a direct swipe at Minaj and Trinidad Killa.
That same day, Minaj reacted on social media by sharing a profanity-filled video in which she asked why Montano had singled her out and threatened to “cuss” him “very f****** stink” in response.
Montano told OvertimeTT that his remarks had been misunderstood and attempted to correct the record.
He explained that he was addressing Killa with his comments, asking Minaj to step in and tell him to stop “fighting me down.” He made it clear that he didn’t mean to offend Minaj.
Montano stated, “The response from the audience was so overwhelming that I felt the joy of the Full Blown (Entertainment) crew, who have been supporting me for years.” The Pardy singer further mentioned, “It didn’t come out the way it was supposed to.
Montano went on to say, “I love Nicki, and I respect her as an artist,” admitting that he was to blame for the misunderstanding and restating that he never meant to sow discord.
In addition, Montano suggested possible future cooperation by urging unity among Trinidad Killa, Minaj, and himself.
Montano stated, “With our music, we have to bridge gaps.” The 2023 song Shake The Place was a collaboration between Montano, Soca artist Destra Garcia, and Minaj.
