Nicki Minaj Accused of Assault and Battery by Former Manager During Pink Friday 2 Tour

Nicki Minaj, has found herself embroiled in a legal battle after Brandon Garrett, a man claiming to be her “former manager,” filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit accuses the rap icon of assault, battery, and emotional distress during her Pink Friday 2 Tour.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred at Detroit's Little Caesars Arena in April 2024, where Garrett claims he was physically assaulted and publicly humiliated by the rapper. However, Nicki’s lawyer, Judd Burstein, has vehemently denied the allegations, branding the claims as “false and frivolous.”

Speaking to TMZ, Burstein said,

Despite these strong denials, the lawsuit paints a shocking picture of the alleged altercation.

At this time, no complaint has been served upon Mrs. Petty, and therefore, we are unaware of the specific allegations. However, if the lawsuit is as reported by TMZ, it is completely false and frivolous. We are confident that the matter brought by this ex-assistant will be resolved swiftly in Mrs. Petty’s favour.

- Nicki Minaj

A Dead Man Walking

According to Garrett, the conflict began when he was called into Nicki’s dressing room to discuss a task he had delegated. Garrett, who had been tasked with picking up a prescription for the rapper, claims he asked another employee to handle the job because he was busy with other responsibilities at the venue.

This reportedly enraged Nicki. In the lawsuit, Garrett alleges that she screamed,

Are you fng crazy, having him pick up my prescription? You have lost your fng mind and if my husband were here, he would knock out your f****ng teeth. You’re a dead man walking. You just fed up your whole life and you will never be anyone, I’ll make sure of it.”

- Nicki Minaj

Physical Altercation Claim

The situation allegedly escalated when Nicki approached Garrett and struck him on the right side of his face with enough force to knock off his hat. Garrett claims his head jerked backward from the impact. Security reportedly stepped in to de-escalate the scene, but Garrett alleges that Nicki struck him again, this time on his wrist, causing him to drop papers he was holding.

The assistant further claimed he was so shaken by the altercation that he locked himself in a bathroom for hours, fearing for his safety. He reportedly called his partner from the restroom to recount the incident.

Stranded in Detroit

Adding to the allegations, Garrett asserts that after the confrontation, he was barred from boarding the tour bus and left stranded in Detroit while the team traveled back to Chicago. He claims his face and wrist continued to hurt after the incident, which has been cited as part of his emotional and physical distress in the lawsuit

Nicki Minaj legal team pushes back

Burstein’s response indicates the rapper’s team is confident that the lawsuit will not hold up in court. Still, the allegations have sparked controversy, with fans and critics divided over the claims.

This isn’t the first time Nicki Minaj has faced legal troubles, but the severity of the accusations and the vivid details in Garrett’s claims could make this a significant case. As the lawsuit unfolds, all eyes will remain on one of the music industry's most polarizing figures.