How did a viral Wicked Meme featuring Grimes and Azealia Banks spark an online X feud?

It’s no secret that when two online icons like Grimes and Azealia Banks collide, the internet pays attention. But throw a viral Wicked meme into the mix, and the drama quickly escalates to new levels of chaos. A meme featuring the green-skinned Wicked witch Elphaba, with Grimes and Azealia Banks added into the narrative, recently set X (formerly Twitter) on fire.

For context: the meme positioned Grimes as Glinda, the good witch, and Azealia Banks as Elphaba, the “villain”—a comparison Banks wasn’t about to let slide. It quickly escalated into a fiery back-and-forth exchange that captivated social media users, dragging in Elon Musk and airing years of simmering tensions.

In typical Gen Z fashion, X users were quick to reply, with some jokingly calling for a Grimes-Banks collaboration and others stating that Banks' biting remarks were "on point." The feud demonstrates how easily a meme can become a full-fledged social media storm on the internet, and Grimes responded with her own retorts.

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Fans react to the Grimes - Azealia Banks feud

The most amusing aspect of the conflict was perhaps the fan reactions. The Wicked parallel and the tension between the two performers sparked a flurry of memes, opinions, and clever observations on X. One user commented,

"The irony is that Elphaba isn’t the villain,"

suggesting that perhaps the meme missed the mark entirely by framing Banks as the evil witch. This sparked debates about who should really play the antagonist in this ongoing saga.

Some users were living for Banks’ cutting humor, with one post declaring,

“How much money does it cost to have Azealia Banks insult me? Always top tier and on point. A true sign that you have arrived, culturally."

It seems Banks' sharp wit continues to be loved by fans as they can’t get enough of her unapologetic jabs. Another user noted,

"Just collab!"

because, really, what better way to end an online feud than to drop a surprise single together?

Not everyone saw the exchange as combative, though. One fan tweeted,

“I rather saw this as Grimes being friendly towards you,"

implying that the two could patch things up if they wanted to. But with the holidays in full swing, another user quipped,

“It’s Christmas, was this necessary?”

Clearly, some were hoping for a bit more peace and love, and a little less Wicked-inspired drama this season.

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Background on the Grimes-Banks saga

Grimes and Banks have a lengthy history of conflict, even though this meme incident may have marked a new chapter in their story. Azealia Banks said she was invited to Elon Musk's home in 2018 to work with Grimes on music, which is largely where their disagreement began.

However, a strange series of circumstances led to Banks being stranded in Musk's home for days without any sign of cooperation. As an alternative, Banks posted glimpses of her visit, which sparked a media frenzy and a public spat between her and Grimes.

This viral Wicked meme appears to have reignited that old tension. Banks took to social media to mock Grimes, saying, "Elon Musk dragged and had you begging." Grimes, for her part, coolly responded that she had "bounced." The dynamic between the two artists continues to fascinate fans, with their past differences providing plenty of fuel for the latest online clash.

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The popular Wicked meme ultimately caused more than just amusement; it also revived old differences and ignited fresh social media conflicts. One thing is certain: when Grimes and Azealia Banks are involved, you can expect the unexpected, regardless of whether this conflict turns into another rivalry or, as some fans hope, a surprise collaboration.