Nessa Diab Adds Fuel to Roc Nation Controversy
Things are heating up online, and Nessa Diab just stepped into the conversation like it’s the group chat everyone’s been waiting to read.
The media personality and longtime partner of Colin Kaepernick took to social media Thursday to co-sign Nicki Minaj’s recent claims about alleged shady dealings by Jay-Z, Desiree Perez, and Roc Nation—but this time, with receipts tied to the handling of Colin Kaepernick’s protest against the NFL.
Nicki Minaj vs. Roc Nation: The Ongoing Firestorm
Before we dive into Nessa’s statement, here’s a quick refresher: Nicki Minaj has been publicly airing out Roc Nation for days—accusing Jay-Z and Desiree Perez of orchestrating a smear campaign against her behind the scenes.
The explosive allegations have reignited conversations about Roc Nation’s influence and motives in the entertainment and sports world.
Nessa Diab Speaks Out: “I Called Them Out YEARS Ago”
Now, Nessa Diab has entered the chat—and she’s not mincing words.
In a tweet posted Thursday, Nessa directly referenced Nicki Minaj’s ongoing battle, drawing parallels between the rapper’s claims and what she says happened to Colin Kaepernick after his now-iconic NFL protest.
“@NICKIMINAJ exposing the smear campaign tactics that Jay-Z, Roc Nation, Desiree Perez did to her behind the scenes is VERY similar to what I was told they did to @Kaepernick7,” she wrote.
Nessa alleges that Jay-Z “co-opted” Kaepernick’s protest by aligning with the NFL in an effort to help the league’s public image after blackballing Colin for kneeling during the national anthem.
She also claims Roc Nation was paid $5 million a year for five years as part of that arrangement.
According to Nessa:
“I called them all out YEARS ago and so many people were scared to say it publicly, but would tell me how they agreed with me privately. Smh.”
Jay-Z’s “Move Past Kneeling” Comment Resurfaces
Nessa also included an ESPN article excerpt that sheds more light on Roc Nation’s controversial 2019 partnership with the NFL.
The excerpt details how Patriots owner Robert Kraft allegedly asked Jay-Z to help the league address social issues.
That conversation reportedly led to a $25 million partnership between Roc Nation and the NFL to revamp the Super Bowl halftime show and promote the league’s social justice agenda.
At the time, Jay-Z infamously told reporters, “I think we’ve moved past kneeling,” with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sitting beside him.
Critics felt the move signaled a pivot away from Kaepernick’s original mission—and Nessa clearly agrees.
Desiree Perez’s History Draws Scrutiny
Nessa’s tweet also called out Desiree Perez, Roc Nation’s CEO, citing her criminal past and Trump pardon:
“She got her pardon by Trump—no coincidence the NFL owners are his buddies and also donated millions to his campaign.”
She included a quote from Perez, featured in a Nola.com article, seemingly celebrating Roc Nation’s role in reframing the conversation around the NFL protest:
“We love that everybody wants to be on the stage, that we’ve completely changed the conversation to fighting for it versus boycotting. We’ve come a long way.”
That quote, paired with Kaepernick’s continued exclusion from the NFL, left a sour taste for many who saw his protest as a movement, not a marketing tool.
Nessa Diab: “#StillWithKap #FOREVER”
Nessa closed her tweet with a powerful mic drop:
“I still don’t watch that league or whoever is performing at whatever game they have playing. #stillwithkap #FOREVER”
Whew.
You can read her full tweet below.
Frens, What Do You Think?
Are Nicki and Nessa exposing something deeper within Roc Nation’s power playbook?
Or is this just more public fallout in an already tense space between business and activism?
Drop down in the comments and let me know your thoughts.
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