Nicki Minaj’s Shade Lands at Atlantic Records Amidst Layoffs
Rapper Nicki Minaj took to social media to poke fun at the recent layoffs at Atlantic Records, which also houses her rival Cardi B and numerous other artists. The move is seen as a lighthearted jab at the record label’s troubles.
On Thursday, September 19, Minaj tweeted, “Dear fired executives & A&R’s: Don’t be mad, UPS is hiring.” She also encouraged them to submit their resumes to her own record label, #HeavyOnIt. In another tweet, she added, “They’ve been wanting empty arenas so bad. Obsessed with me while all your friends r getting fired is nasty work.”
The layoffs at Atlantic Records were announced on Thursday, following a string of other industry layoffs. Warner Music Group’s chairwoman Julie Greenwald departed in August, and Kevin Liles stepped down from WMG’s 300 Elektra Entertainment earlier this month.
In an internal memo, Atlantic Music Group’s CEO Robert Kyncl acknowledged the layoffs, stating, “As part of this reorganization, we will unfortunately be saying goodbye to talented people. I know you have been waiting to hear the plan, and rather than carry out changes piecemeal, we decided to make these difficult choices in one go.”
The memo also thanked departing employees for their hard work, passion, and creativity. Kyncl expressed gratitude for their contributions and achievements over the years, wishing them the best in their future endeavors.
In addition to the Atlantic layoffs, several executives from its sister company 300 Elektra are also leaving, including Margo Scott, EVP/general counsel; Chris Brown, EVP; Katie Robinson, head of marketing; and Adam Abramson, sales/streaming chief.
Minaj’s tweet may have been seen as a lighthearted jab at Atlantic Records’ troubles, but it’s clear that the record label is facing significant changes. As the music industry continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more shake-ups in the coming months.