Cardi B
Belcalis Marlenis Cephus (née Almánzar; born October 11, 1992), known professionally as Cardi B, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and actress. She is one of the most commercially successful female rappers of her generation. Born and raised in New York City to a father of Dominican heritage and a mother of Trinidadian descent, she first gained popularity through videos shared on Vine and Instagram. From 2015 to early 2017, she appeared as a regular cast member on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York, which depicted her pursuit of her music aspirations, and earned further recognition with the release of her two mixtapes: Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 (2016) and Vol. 2 (2017). Her first studio album, Invasion of Privacy (2018), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was ranked the top female rap album of the 2010s by Billboard. Critically acclaimed, it made Cardi B the first female artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album as a solo artist, and marked the first female rap album in 15 years nominated for Album of the Year. It spawned two number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100; with "Bodak Yellow", its lead single, Cardi B became the first female rapper to top the Hot 100 with a solo song in the 21st century and the first to achieve a diamond-certified song by the RIAA, while "I Like It" marked the first time a female rapper attained multiple number-one songs on the Hot 100. Her third US number-one, the collaboration "Girls Like You" with band Maroon 5, made her the only female rapper to achieve multiple diamond-certified songs by the RIAA. Cardi B released "WAP" (featuring Megan Thee Stallion) and "Up" in 2020 and 2021, both of which topped the Hot 100 and other charts worldwide; the former became the first female rap collaboration to debut atop the Hot 100 and broke several streaming records while the latter marked her fifth number-one. Her second studio album will be released in 2024. Recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential female rappers of all time, Cardi B holds various records among women in hip hop; she is the female rapper with the most number-one singles (five) on the Billboard Hot 100, and the only female rapper to achieve multiple solo number-ones and earn number-ones in two decades (2010s and 2020s) on the chart. She is also the female rapper with the most diamond-certified songs (three) by the RIAA, the highest-certified female rapper of all time on their Top Artists (Digital Singles) ranking, and has 100 million certified units (album and songs) sold in the US alone. Additionally, she is the female rapper with the most songs with a billion streams on Spotify—where she also has the most-streamed female rap album. She was the first lead artist to top the Billboard Global 200. Her accolades include a Grammy Award, eight Billboard Music Awards, six Guinness World Records, six American Music Awards, 14 BET Hip Hop Awards, and two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards. In 2018, Time magazine included her on its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, and in 2020, Billboard honored her as Woman of the Year. Outside of music, Cardi B served as a judge on the music competition series Rhythm + Flow (2019), appeared in the films Hustlers (2019) and F9 (2021), and had a voice role in Baby Shark's Big Movie! (2023). In 2022, she became the creative director of entertainment magazine Playboy.
What was Cardi B's early life like?
Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, widely known as Cardi B, was born on October 11, 1992, in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood in New York City. Her father, Carlos, is Dominican, and her mother, Clara, is of Trinidadian descent with African and Spanish roots; Cardi B identifies as Afro-Latina. She grew up in the South Bronx's Highbridge neighborhood and frequently visited her paternal grandmother in Washington Heights. These visits contributed to what she describes as her "thick accent." Cardi B adopted her stage name as a play on "Bacardi," a nickname inspired by the rum brand. She has a younger sister named Hennessy Carolina, born in 1995. Reflecting on her youth, Cardi B has mentioned being involved with the Bloods gang from age 16 but does not endorse joining gangs. She attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology located within the Herbert H. Lehman High School campus. During her teenage years, Cardi B worked at a grocery store in Tribeca before being fired and subsequently turning to dancing at a strip club across the street. She credits stripping with positively impacting her life: "It really saved me from a lot of things. When I started stripping I went back to school." The decision to become a stripper was driven by her need to escape poverty and domestic violence from an abusive relationship after being kicked out of her mother's house. Stripping provided the financial means for independence and education. She briefly attended Borough of Manhattan Community College but eventually dropped out. During this period, she deceived her mother by claiming she earned money through babysitting. In 2013, Cardi B began gaining public attention when several of her videos went viral on social media platforms like Vine and Instagram.
What has Cardi B's career journey been like?
What were the beginnings of Cardi B's career during 2015–2016?
In 2015, Cardi B became a cast member on the VH1 reality TV series *Love & Hip Hop: New York*, making her debut in season six. Her standout presence quickly caught attention, with Jezebel naming her the breakout star of that season. The New York Times highlighted her knack for delivering memorable one-liners as a key factor in her rising popularity. Seasons six and seven of the show documented her ascent to fame and her tumultuous relationship with her incarcerated fiancé. On December 30, 2016, after two seasons on the show, Cardi B announced she was leaving to focus on her music career. Cardi B ventured into music in November 2015 by featuring on a remix of Shaggy's single "Boom Boom," alongside Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan. She made her music video debut on December 15, 2015, with "Cheap Ass Weave," a rendition of Lady Leshurr's "Queen's Speech 4." Her first full-length project, a mixtape titled *Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1*, was released on March 7, 2016. That same year in November, she graced Vibe magazine’s digital cover for their "Viva" issue. On September 12, 2016, KSR Group dropped the compilation album *Underestimated: The Album*, featuring contributions from Cardi B along with other KSR artists like HoodCelebrityy, SwiftOnDemand, Cashflow Harlem, and Josh X. Initially available only to attendees of their U.S. tour, Cardi B aimed to create an empowering anthem for women with the single "What a Girl Likes." Cardi B also made several television appearances during this period. She featured on the December 9, 2015 episode of *Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne* and appeared on Khloé Kardashian's show *Kocktails with Khloé* on April 6, 2016. During this episode, she candidly discussed informing her mother about her career as a stripper. In November 2016, it was revealed that she would join the cast of BET’s series *Being Mary Jane*. According to TVLine, she would play Mercedes—a character described as having an outsized personality to match her big weave and curves. Additionally in 2016, Cardi B secured her first endorsement deal with Romantic Depot—a major New York chain specializing in lingerie and sexual wellness products—featuring in an ad campaign
How did Cardi B achieve her breakthrough with "Invasion of Privacy" between 2017 and 2018?
On January 20, 2017, Cardi B released her second mixtape, *Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2*. The following month, she collaborated with MAC Cosmetics and Rio Uribe's Gypsy Sport for an event during New York Fashion Week. In late February, Cardi B signed her first major recording contract with Atlantic Records and opened for The Lox on their *Filthy America... It's Beautiful Tour*, alongside Lil' Kim and Remy Ma. April saw her featured in i-D's "A-Z of Music" video sponsored by Marc Jacobs and guest-starring on the show *Hip Hop Squares*. She also released the freestyle "Red Barz". In May 2017, Cardi B received nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards but did not win. However, she performed at the BET Awards Afterparty show. At Hot 97's Summer Jam festival in June, Remy Ma brought out Cardi B along with other female rappers to perform Queen Latifah's hit single "U.N.I.T.Y." Celebrating female empowerment. That same month, it was announced that Cardi would grace the cover of The Fader’s Summer Music issue for July/August 2017. On June 16, Atlantic Records released her commercial debut single "Bodak Yellow", which she performed on *The Wendy Williams Show* and *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* The track eventually climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart by September 25, making her the first solo female rapper to achieve this since Lauryn Hill in 1998. "Bodak Yellow" became a massive hit, staying atop the charts for three consecutive weeks and tying with Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do" as the longest-running number-one single by a female artist in 2017. It marked Cardi B as the first person of Dominican descent to reach number one on the Hot 100 since its inception in 1958. Recognized as "the rap anthem of the summer" by The New York Times and selected as the best song of 2017 by critics from The Washington Post and Pitchfork, it was certified Diamond by RIAA and earned Grammy nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. With collaborations like “No Limit” and “MotorSport,” Cardi became the first female rapper to have her first three entries land in both top-10 positions on both the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip
What significant projects did Cardi B undertake in 2019–2020, including Hustlers, Rhythm + Flow, and "WAP"?
At the 61st Grammy Awards, Cardi B received five nominations, including Album of the Year, Best Rap Album, and Record of the Year for "I Like It." She made history by becoming the third female rapper to be nominated for Album of the Year, following in the footsteps of Lauryn Hill (1999) and Missy Elliott (2004). On February 10, 2019, she performed at the award ceremony, dazzling viewers with three vintage Thierry Mugler couture outfits. Additionally, she became the first solo female rapper to win Best Rap Album. Cardi B dominated the nominations at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards with a record-breaking 21 nods—the highest ever for a female artist in a single year and third overall behind Drake and The Chainsmokers. She took home six awards that night, including Top Hot 100 Song, bringing her career total to seven—setting a new record for any female rapper. Omaha World-Herald dubbed her "the biggest rapper in the world." On February 15, 2019, Cardi released "Please Me," a collaboration with Bruno Mars that soared to number three on the Hot 100 chart. This marked their second hit together following "Finesse" in 2018. The music video premiered two weeks later. Cardi also set an attendance record on March 1 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with an audience of 75,580 fans. Her tracks "Backin' It Up," "Twerk," and "Money" positioned her as the first female artist to hold the top three spots on Billboard's Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart. Her next single, "Press," was released on May 31, 2019; its music video marked her directorial debut when it dropped on June 26. She debuted this song live at the BET Awards where she led with seven nominations and won Album of the Year. Throughout summer 2019, she embarked on an arena tour and topped nominations again at September’s BET Hip Hop Awards with ten. Cardi made her film debut in Lorene Scafaria's Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu; it premiered on September 13, 2019. She also joined Chance The Rapper and T.I. as judges for Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow—a ten-part hip-hop talent search series premiering October 9 that she co-executive produced. In December 2019, Cardi toured Africa
What has Cardi B been working on from 2021 to the present regarding her upcoming second studio album?
On February 5, 2021, Cardi B released "Up," the second single from her forthcoming studio album, accompanied by a music video. NME magazine lauded the song for its lyricism and innovative follow-up to "WAP." "Up" debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, achieving the highest debut for a solo female rap song since Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" in 1998. It also premiered at number one on the Rolling Stone Top 100, marking Cardi B's second number-one single and debut, and made history as the first solo song by a female rapper to debut at the top of that chart. Cardi B became the first female artist and lead artist with consecutive number-one debuts on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, following Drake in 2016. After her Grammy Awards performance, "Up" ascended to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Cardi B the only female rapper with multiple solo songs at number one. She extended her record as the female rapper with most Hot 100 chart-toppers with five. Cardi B featured last-minute in DJ Khaled's album *Khaled Khaled* on April 30, 2021. She garnered two BET Award nominations for Video of the Year for "Up" and "WAP," winning for the latter and becoming the first female rapper to win Video of the Year as a lead artist—her second instance after being nominated in 2019 for "Money" and "Please Me." During her performance of "Type Shit" at another award ceremony that year, she announced her second pregnancy. She appeared in *F9*, released June 25, by Universal Pictures. On July 16, Cardi was featured on Normani's single “Wild Side,” followed by a collaboration with Lizzo on “Rumors,” which peaked at number four on Billboard Hot 100. Cardi received six nominations at MTV’s VMAs in 2021 including Video of the Year again; she led BET Hip Hop Awards nominations along with Megan Thee Stallion each boasting nine nods; both won three awards during that ceremony for their hit “WAP.” On October 28 via Instagram Story previewed her second album to Atlantic Records captioning it “The money people liking album sounds.” Announced November host role AMAs held November Los Angeles Microsoft Theater hailed social media interactions most significant telecast year saw
How would you describe Cardi B's artistry?
How has Cardi B been influenced by other artists?
In Billboard's "You Should Know" series, Cardi B revealed that the first albums she ever bought were by American artists Missy Elliott and Tweet. She has acknowledged the influence of Puerto Rican rapper Ivy Queen and Jamaican dancehall artist Spice on her music, in addition to being inspired by Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Lil' Kim, Madonna, and Selena. Cardi B also cited Chicago drill music as a significant influence on her style. Discussing her early musical direction in an interview, Cardi B explained, "When I first started rapping [...] I liked certain songs from Khia and Trina, and they [were] fighting songs. I haven't heard fighting songs for a very long time," attributing her aggressive rap style to these female rappers. She elaborated further: "A lot of girls cannot afford red bottoms or foreign cars [...] but I know that every girl has beef with another girl [...] I know that every bitch don't like some bitch, and it's like 'that's what I wanna rap about.'" Cardi B also draws inspiration from her upbringing in the South Bronx and personal experiences for her songwriting. She stated, "I wouldn't be able to rap about the things that I rap about now [if I hadn't grown up there]."
What is Cardi B's musical style?
Cardi B's debut studio album, *Invasion of Privacy*, is predominantly a hip-hop record that seamlessly incorporates elements of trap, Latin music, and R&B. Critics have praised her dynamic style: Consequence of Sound lauded her flow as "acrobatic and nimble," while AllMusic editor David Jeffries described her as "a raw and aggressive rapper." Stereogum highlighted her distinctive voice, calling it "a full-bodied New Yawk nasal bleat" that's immediately recognizable and perfectly suited for rap—full of unapologetic loudness and sexuality. A 2017 Complex article emphasized Cardi B's unfiltered personality, describing her as a "hood chick" who remains true to herself in any setting. This authenticity resonates with fans and is reflected in her music. Her flow has been frequently described as aggressive; in 2019, NME noted her lyrics are "sexually free" and delivered with a rapid cadence. Publications like Pitchfork and The Source have commended her clever and quotable punchlines. Cardi B's New York-Dominican accent adds another layer to her distinct sound. She has openly defended the sexually explicit content in her music, arguing that such themes resonate with listeners more than emotional tracks like "Be Careful." She has expressed a desire to rap about both street life and personal subjects without reservation, stating, "I don't give a fuck about it." Her versatility extends to vocal performance styles across different tracks. In "WAP," she employs a throaty and staccato delivery, whereas in "Up," she showcases alliteration, tongue-twisting runs, and comedic punchlines typical of Cardi's unique flair. Despite initial discomfort when writing about personal experiences, she has embraced this aspect of storytelling in her music.
What other ventures has Cardi B pursued?
What products and endorsements has Cardi B been involved with?
In February 2017, Cardi B collaborated with M.A.C and Rio Uribe's Gypsy Sport for a New York Fashion Week event. In April, she was featured in i-D's "A-Z of Music" video, sponsored by designer Marc Jacobs, and graced the cover of The Fader's July/August 2017 Summer Music issue. September 2018 saw the release of Tom Ford's Cardi B-inspired lipstick, which sold out within 24 hours. November that year marked her launch of a clothing line collection with Fashion Nova and a partnership with Reebok to promote their Aztrek sneaker. In 2020, Cardi B released a Reebok collection inspired by her personal style and classic '80s motifs. Her second collection with Reebok came out in 2021, titled "Let Me Be...In My World," featuring sneakers, tracksuits, and corsets inspired by New York City life. In May 2021, she launched the "Mommy & Me" collection for Mother's Day, including Club C shoes for adults and children. June and July 2022 saw the release of "Let Me Be...Enchanted," focusing on enchantment and euphoria with crop tops, faux fur jackets, leotards, and footwear. Her final collaboration with Reebok was "Let Me Be...Next Level Energy," released in parts during September and December 2022; it celebrated her energy through bodysuits, crop tops, leggings, woven jackets, and footwear. Cardi B also partnered with Pepsi for three commercials aired during Super Bowl LIII, the Grammy Awards' 61st Annual ceremony, and Christmas season. In early 2019, she introduced her flavors of Rap Snacks chips and popcorn alongside other hip hop artists including Offset from Migos. December 2021 marked Cardi B's role as creative director in residence for Playboy as part of PLBY Group Inc., where she co-founded Centerfold—an upcoming creator-driven website—including fashion and sexual wellness products. In February 2023 on Valentine's Day, Cardi B teamed up with McDonald's to launch the Cardi B and Offset meal announced during their Super Bowl commercial appearance. October followed with her fronting Skims' Cotton Collection campaign that generated over $4 million in media impact value (MIV). She made her runway debut at Balenciaga’s fall 2024 show in Los Angeles in December. February 2024 had Cardi starring in NYX Cosmetics' first
What are Whipshots?
In partnership with Starco Brands, Cardi B introduced Whipshots to the U.S. market in December 2021. This innovative product is a vodka-infused, vegan whipped cream. By March 2024, Whipshots had achieved impressive sales, with over five million cans sold.
What Will Cardi Try Next?
In December 2020, she launched the series "Cardi Tries" on Facebook Messenger, taking on the role of executive producer. The web series continued for three seasons, concluding in April 2023.
How has Cardi B contributed to philanthropy?
In 2022, Cardi B generously contributed $100,000 to her former elementary school, I.S. 232, located in The Bronx.
How has Cardi B's public image evolved?
What are Cardi B's political statements?
Cardi B openly identifies as a feminist and has been described as "unabashedly, directly political." She frequently leverages her social media platforms to advocate for various causes she believes in, such as gun control. During the 2016 presidential primaries, Cardi B warned her followers about Donald Trump's immigration policies and urged them to support Senator Bernie Sanders. At the 2018 Grammy Awards, she appeared in a video with Hillary Clinton where they narrated excerpts from Michael Wolff's book "Fire and Fury," which details the inner workings of Trump's administration. In the video, she expressed disbelief at the contents, saying, "Why am I even reading this shit? I can't believe this. I can't believe—this is how he really lives his life?" In early 2018, Cardi B used her social media presence to demand greater transparency in tax policy. She asked for detailed explanations on how taxpayer dollars are spent in New York state and criticized the conditions of its streets, prisons, and public transportation systems. Cardi B endorsed Bernie Sanders again during his 2020 presidential campaign while also praising U.S. Representative Tim Ryan. She cited Sanders' long-term commitment to supporting underprivileged minorities and advocating for Medicare as key reasons for her endorsement. Politico even suggested that she "might be one of Bernie's most powerful 2020 allies." Cardi B has also utilized her social media to raise awareness about police brutality victims and encouraged people to vote in local elections for mayors, judges, and district attorneys. In a conversation with Democratic candidate Joe Biden for Elle magazine, they discussed topics like Medicare, free college tuition, and racial equality. A study by The Hollywood Reporter found that Cardi B ranked as the fifth most influential celebrity overall—and fourth among Generation Z—during the 2020 presidential election. However, by November 2023, Cardi B announced that she no longer supports Joe Biden for president due to his administration's spending on wars. She declared that she would not be endorsing any future presidents. Cardi B has also praised President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his role in establishing Social Security and initiating the New Deal project. She commended him by saying he helped America overcome the Great Depression despite suffering from polio during his presidency: "He’s the real 'Make America Great Again,' because if it wasn't for him, old people wouldn't even get Social Security." Bernie Sanders has acknowledged her efforts by praising her significant role in bringing attention to Social Security issues.
How has Cardi B influenced the fashion world?
Cardi B has a well-documented love for Christian Louboutin heels, a recurring motif in her hit song "Bodak Yellow." Despite her penchant for high-end footwear, she also embraces affordable fashion, famously stating, "I don't care if it cost $20 or $15. If it looks good on me, it looks good on me." In an early 2017 interview, Cardi B discussed facing rejection from some fashion designers. However, she made a memorable impact at the 2019 Grammy Awards by donning a vintage Thierry Mugler gown. An i-D article noted that her Swarovski crystal-embroidered crinoline sheath dress almost single-handedly revived the Mugler brand's prominence. Cardi B's collaboration with Mugler marked only the second time in 25 years that the Parisian house opened its archives to dress a celebrity; the first was for Beyoncé during her 2009 concert tour. W magazine credited Cardi's "WAP" music video with introducing the Mugler bodysuit to mainstream audiences. Cardi herself has acknowledged Mugler as one of the first major designers to take a chance on her. Reputable publications such as Vogue, The Telegraph, Time, and Vibe have hailed Cardi B as a fashion icon. Vogue highlighted her flair for statement outfits, whether she's wearing archival Mugler on red carpets or Chanel at basketball games. Her elaborate manicures by nail artist Jenny Bui, often adorned with Swarovski crystals, have become part of her signature look. In 2021, Vogue editor Christian Allaire praised her bold ensembles for creating spectacles during fashion weeks. In 2018, Cardi B became the first female rapper in the U.S. to grace the cover of Vogue magazine. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz for one of four January 2019 issues—including covers featuring Stella McCartney—Cardi appeared in a red and white Michael Kors dress and matching Jimmy Choo shoes while holding her daughter Kulture. The Council of Fashion Designers of America recognized Cardi B in their "28 Black Fashion Forces" list in 2019. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour expressed admiration for Cardi's style evolution after seeing her Thom Browne-designed burgundy gown at the 2019 Met Gala. In winter 2020, Cardi became the face of Balenciaga’s ad campaign, which featured billboards worldwide including at the Louvre museum in Paris. Vogue's Brooke Bobb remarked that this was Cardi's first luxury fashion campaign but noted she was
How Has Cardi B Made an Impact?
Cardi B has earned the title of "Reigning Queen of Hip Hop" from numerous prominent publications such as Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, Omaha World-Herald, Black Enterprise, Newsweek, and The A.V. Club. Additionally, NME, Essence, Harper's Bazaar Malaysia, The Jakarta Post, Uproxx, iHeartRadio, Geo TV, Vanity Fair, Joe, Boston Herald, Refinery 29, France 24, Nigerian media The Guardian, BBC News, and Daily Trust have hailed her as the "Queen of Rap." Spin staff praised Cardi B for ushering in a new generation of pop artists who are shaping American music with their unique identities and accents. They noted that she recognized POC artists no longer need to conform to mainstream expectations to achieve widespread fame. Billboard editors highlighted her impact with the commercial success of "Bodak Yellow," stating it marked the summer of 2017 by rewriting history and offering hope to the marginalized. Publications have credited her hit "I Like It," the first Latin trap song to top the Hot 100 chart, with bringing this musical genre into mainstream awareness. Carl Lamarre from Billboard described "WAP"'s success as a strategic move showcasing how Cardi B continuously influences culture. In 2020, Neil Shah from The Wall Street Journal attributed today's female-rap renaissance to Cardi B's breakthrough and ongoing success. Genius staff acknowledged her role in sparking a wave of female hip-hop signings and promotions at record labels. NPR Music observed that the dynamism among women in rap has grown significantly since Cardi's historic rise in 2017. Clover Hope's book *The Motherlode* (2021) mentioned that *Invasion of Privacy* kick-started a new era where women's success in rap seemed more attainable. The New Yorker credited Cardi for transforming a genre historically dominated by one female superstar at a time. Uproxx praised her for supporting emerging female rappers by using her star power to open doors for others—a significant shift from previous norms in hip-hop. Variety called her a "hip-hop icon," while The Independent dubbed her "the people's pop culture icon," recognizing her as one of the most influential cultural figures over the past decade. NPR coined the term "Cardi B effect" to describe her branding influence rooted in authenticity. Her rise made brands realize this effect extended beyond traditional rap venues like clubs and concerts into broader cultural realms. Business magazine Inc. highlighted how Cardi’s
What are Cardi B's achievements?
Cardi B has amassed a remarkable collection of accolades, including a Grammy Award, eight Billboard Music Awards (with three consecutive Top Rap Female Artist wins), six Guinness World Records, six American Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, six BET Awards (including Album of the Year), and fourteen BET Hip Hop Awards. Her debut album "Invasion of Privacy" made history as the first female rap album in fifteen years to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and earned her the distinction of being the first solo female rapper to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album. In 2018, Time magazine recognized Cardi B's influence by naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She made history again in 2019 by becoming the first female rapper to receive ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year award, an honor she repeated in 2020—making her also the first woman to win it twice. Additionally, Cardi B was named Woman of the Year at Billboard's Women in Music Awards in 2020. Cardi B has set numerous records on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with five number-one singles and a cumulative sixteen weeks at the top spot—both records for a female rapper. Her hit "I Like It" became the first song led by a female rapper to surpass a billion streams on Spotify, making her also the first woman in hip hop with multiple billion-streaming songs on that service. She achieved further global success topping Spotify charts with hits like "Taki Taki" and "WAP," which broke records for its massive first-week streaming numbers in the U.S. "Invasion of Privacy" was named as Billboard's top female rap album of the 2010s and holds records as both longest-charting on Billboard 200 by any female rapper and most-streamed on Spotify. Cardi B is also distinguished as having three Diamond-certified songs by RIAA: "Bodak Yellow," which was her breakthrough Diamond certification; "Girls Like You," making her unique among female rappers with multiple Diamond-certified songs; and "I Like It." These achievements make her tied for most among all women artists. Her debut album received critical acclaim from major publications; Pitchfork named two of her singles as best songs of their respective years (2017 and 2020), while both Billboard staff and Rolling Stone ranked "Invasion of Privacy" at number 13 and 34 respectively on their lists of best albums from that decade—the highest positions
What is Cardi B's personal life like?
Cardi B identifies as a practicing Catholic. In 2016, she revealed that during her younger years working as a stripper, she would drug and rob men to obtain money. When controversies around this admission arose in 2019, Cardi B defended her actions by explaining that these men had "wasted her time by falling asleep" and kept returning despite the circumstances. In 2024, she addressed the issue once more, stating that she "doesn't feel bad" about her past actions and would do it again if needed. Additionally, Cardi B identifies as bisexual. She has openly discussed her experiences with sexual assault during her time as a stripper, particularly in relation to the Me Too movement. In a 2018 interview, Cardi B spoke candidly about being Afro-Latina and Afro-Caribbean: "We are Caribbean people. [...] Some people want to decide if you're black or not based on your skin complexion because they don't understand Caribbean culture. [...] I shouldn't have to tell you I'm black; you should know it. My father taught me about how Europeans took over our lands in the Caribbean, which is why we speak different languages today. [...] Just like everyone else, we came here through similar histories. I hate when people try to deny my roots because we know there are African roots within us."
How has Cardi B's journey in relationships shaped her life and career?
In early 2017, Cardi B began a relationship with fellow rapper Offset. The couple became engaged on October 27, 2017. During her second performance on Saturday Night Live on April 7, 2018, Cardi B revealed she was about six months pregnant. On June 25, 2018, TMZ discovered a marriage license indicating that Cardi B and Offset had secretly wed in September 2017, one month before their public engagement. Cardi B later confirmed this in a social media post. Cardi B gave birth to their daughter on July 10, 2018. In December of that year, she announced via Instagram that she and Offset had separated, though they later reconciled. They made a public appearance together at the Grammys in February 2019, where Offset joined her onstage during her acceptance speech for Best Rap Album. In September 2020, reports emerged that Cardi B had filed for divorce from Offset; however, by the following month, they were back together. In June 2021, Cardi B announced she was expecting their second child—a boy—whom she gave birth to on September 4, 2021. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Cardi B shared plans for an official wedding ceremony. By December 2023, Cardi revealed via Instagram that she had been "single for a minute," confirming another separation from Offset. As of March 2024, despite still collaborating professionally—Offset directed a music video for her—their marital status remained unclear. In July 2024, Cardi officially filed for divorce from Offset and announced her third pregnancy the following day.
What legal issues has Cardi B faced?
On October 1, 2018, Cardi B faced accusations of assaulting two female bartenders. The alleged victims claimed that Cardi B and her entourage "threw bottles and alcohol at them." Although she denied any involvement, she was charged with assault and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors. Cardi B attended her arraignment on December 7, 2018, after missing the original date due to a scheduling conflict as per her attorney. On June 21, 2019, a jury indicted her on 14 charges related to the incident, including two counts of felony assault with intent to cause serious physical injury. She was arraigned again on June 25, 2019, and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Eventually, on September 15, 2022, she pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment, receiving a sentence of 15 days of community service. On January 24, 2022, Cardi won a defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Latasha Kebe (Tasha K), who had conducted a "malicious campaign" to damage her reputation by spreading false rumors. Cardi revealed that these lies had driven her to contemplate suicide in 2019. The jury concluded that Cardi B had been defamed and awarded her $1.25 million in damages. Subsequent proceedings increased the total fine against Kebe to $3.82 million. Additionally, on March 25, 2022, Cardi B triumphed in another defamation case alongside her sister Hennessy and Hennessy's girlfriend. They were sued by three men over an incident at a Suffolk County beach but ultimately won the lawsuit. In July 2023, during a concert in Las Vegas, Cardi B threw her microphone into the crowd after being hit by liquid thrown by a fan. One fan attempted to press charges following the incident; however, after an investigation by the Clark County Police Department, no further action was taken against Cardi B.
What controversies has Cardi B been involved in?
Cardi B ignited controversy in September 2018 when she threw a high heel shoe at fellow rapper Nicki Minaj and attempted to physically confront her during a New York Fashion Week after-party. Security intervened before Cardi B could reach Minaj, resulting in a large bump on Cardi B's forehead. Following the incident, Cardi B took to Instagram to accuse Minaj of previously "liking" social media comments that cast doubt on her ability to care for her newborn daughter. Minaj countered these claims on her Queen Radio show, expressing embarrassment over the altercation and denying the allegations. She accused Cardi B of leveraging "sympathy and payola" to advance her career and alleged that Cardi had bribed DJs and radio outlets with sex to get airplay. Criticizing Cardi B's rapping skills, Minaj remarked, "Do you know what it's like to sit in your room for hours writing raps? You came into my culture. I never had to fuck a DJ to play my songs." Additionally, Minaj labeled Cardi B a "disgusting pig" for allegedly cyberbullying a guest caller on her show and brought up past posts where Cardi referred to dark-skinned black women as "cockroaches." Cardi defended herself by explaining that the term is used derogatorily in the Bronx for anyone being disrespectful. In 2019, Cardi B graced the cover of Harper's Bazaar's spring fashion issue in a Cinderella-themed photo shoot that featured her wearing a red gown and leaving behind a shoe—an image some interpreted as referencing the earlier New York Fashion Week incident. Earlier, in May 2018, after releasing the song "Girls," which included her featured verse, Cardi B addressed accusations that the song trivialized LGBT relationships. She tweeted an apology, stating that they never intended harm or bad intentions with the track and added, "I personally myself had experiences with other women."
What is Cardi B's discography?
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What additional resources are available for further reading on Cardi B?
Hope, Clover (2021). *The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop*. New York: Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 978-1-4197-4296-5.
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