It’s properly previous midnight at New York’s Daylight Studio, and Cardi B is preventing to remain awake. 5 hours into her Billboard photograph shoot, a slight wardrobe malfunction along with her black gown is prompting a fast timeout. “S–t, I bought a wedgie,” she groans, dropping into her seat with a smirk. However like a real New Yorker, she toughs it out — chewing ice and cracking jokes like she’s headlining her personal late-night set.
Clutching a Chick-fil-A cup, she rattles off a narrative concerning the fast-food chain botching her order. Then she seamlessly swerves into her current social media spat with WWE’s Naomi. A few days earlier, Cardi had hosted SummerSlam at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium — and within the run-up to the occasion, she’d threatened on X to shave Naomi’s head and use her hair as a wig. “I simply be speaking s–t as a result of I do know these b–ches can actually struggle,” she gags, eyes gleaming.
Cardi’s jokes and swagger by no means clock out. However behind the antics, she’s centered — and desirous to reassert her hip-hop dominance. Seven years after her Grammy Award-winning, multiplatinum-selling, culture-shifting debut, Invasion of Privateness, she’s lastly able to launch her subsequent act along with her long-awaited second album, Am I the Drama?
“I’m actually a type of artists that folks ask for his or her albums probably the most yearly,” Cardi says matter-of-factly. “I wouldn’t be assured if no one requested me for my s–t. Think about no one asking for an album of yours? Think about no one asking in your music? That’s why I’m so assured.”
She has solely launched one album, however Cardi B already boasts a Hip-Hop Corridor of Fame-caliber résumé. She turned the primary feminine rapper to win finest rap album on the 2019 Grammys. She has 5 Billboard Scorching 100 No. 1s and 13 high 10 hits. She’s additionally the primary feminine artist to have each monitor on an album licensed platinum or greater by the RIAA.
Alongside the best way, Cardi advanced into certainly one of music’s most sought-after collaborators, partnering with pop giants Bruno Mars and Maroon 5 for Scorching 100 chart-toppers, in addition to hip-hop upstarts akin to Latto and GloRilla.
“What’s particular about Cardi is that she is aware of her viewers, her fan base and how you can keep related,” says Shawn Vacation, her supervisor at Full Cease Administration. “She hasn’t put out an album in seven years, however she is aware of how you can keep present as a result of she is aware of how you can do options that hold her within the market.
“GloRilla was a brand new artist on the time [they collaborated],” he continues. “Cardi didn’t care. She was actually attempting to empower different females in hip-hop. It wasn’t concerning the cash for Cardi; she did it as a result of she liked the tune and knew she may add worth to it.”
Whereas her music wins are simple, it’s Cardi’s triumphs outdoors of the studio which have solidified her legacy. Since releasing Invasion of Privateness, she has develop into a world model pressure, securing partnerships with Style Nova, Reebok and Whipshots; her cope with NYX Skilled Make-up culminated in a Tremendous Bowl business in 2024.
It’s arduous to consider, given all this monumental cultural affect, that she nonetheless has but to embark on her personal headlining tour. “Lots of people say I bought snug as a result of I earn cash, however probably the most cash I make is after I go and do exhibits,” says Cardi, who tweeted in 2022 that she’d netted $1 million for a 35-minute present at a non-public occasion throughout Miami’s Artwork Basel. “I may rush and put out music prefer it’s nothing after which decide up tens of millions of {dollars} per present, but it surely’s not about that. I need the music to be nice. I need it to be wonderful.”
Stephane Rolland gown and headpiece, Valentino earrings.
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Cardi will lastly hit the highway in February when she embarks on her first-ever headlining tour. Produced by Stay Nation, the world run will hit greater than 30 North American cities via April.
“The market’s been ready on a Cardi tour for some time, so we’re excited to be concerned along with her first headlining run,” says Mike G, her reserving agent at UTA. “The technique for somebody who’s by no means headlined is firstly ensuring she’s wholesome on the highway. We’re limiting the schedule to not more than 4 exhibits per week to present her the right relaxation for your entire run.”
Although worldwide demand has surged, Cardi’s quick focus is on this U.S. leg.
“It’s like a domino impact on the subject of technique,” Mike provides. “We’re very aware of ticket pricing, what the market seems to be like and who would pay for a Cardi tour. Scaling and pricing are an important factor in your first headlining run, however she’s been available in the market for some time. We’re assured it’ll do extraordinarily properly.”
With 23 tracks set to seem on Am I the Drama?, together with two Scorching 100 No. 1s — 2020’s “WAP” and 2021’s “Up” — Cardi’s aiming to show it was definitely worth the wait. Slated for launch on Sept. 19, Cardi’s second act incorporates a more durable storyline: Expectations are sky-high, her divorce from rapper Offset is pending, she’s elevating their three youngsters on her personal and he or she’s navigating the brand new Atlantic Music Group (AMG) regime below CEO Elliot Grainge.
“Cardi B is synonymous with the excellence that has made Atlantic Information a traditionally vital report label,” Grainge tells Billboard. “She is an actual vanguard and a groundbreaking profession artist who continues to push hip-hop and widespread music tradition ahead in shocking and provoking methods. There isn’t a one like her. We’re lucky to be in her orbit.”
In June, Cardi launched the album’s first single, “Exterior,” a trunk-rattling monitor the place she defiantly shakes off the shackles of her marriage and steps into singlehood. The tune debuted within the high 10 of the Scorching 100, a reminder that even amid chaos, Cardi can nonetheless storm the charts.
But when “Exterior” was Cardi popping out swinging, it’s the René & Angela-sampling “Imaginary Playerz,” launched in mid-August, the place her pen first attracts blood. Jay-Z famously flipped the R&B duo’s 1982 single “Imaginary Playmate” for his personal “Imaginary Gamers” in 1997, and on her model, Cardi makes the beat her personal as she fires pictures with sniper-like precision. “My flop and your flop isn’t the identical/When you did my numbers, y’all would pop champagne,” she snaps.
“Cardi stays on the high of her sport,” AMG COO Zach Friedman says. “She launched an important report with ‘Exterior,’ marking one other thrilling milestone for her. Your complete AMG household is right here to help her imaginative and prescient for the brand new album. She continues to be certainly one of one.”
It’s 2 a.m. when Cardi lastly steps off-set, the 11-hour shoot behind her. She exhales, desirous to commerce couture for pajamas and eventually repair that pesky wedgie. These marathon days, the sort that check your persistence and show your stamina, are the grind she has been craving — the identical grind that helped her develop into an in a single day icon. Now, seven years after Invasion of Privateness endlessly modified the rap sport, Cardi is able to be the headline, the plot twist and the finisher over again. This time, she’s strolling straight into the drama, daring anybody to even match her smoke.
It has been seven years since Invasion of Privateness. How have you ever grown since then?
Since then, I’ve skilled rather a lot. The great and unhealthy of fame, the hate, jealousy, drama, balancing my profession with my private life and rising up and maturing. I’ve discovered to manage my feelings and perceive how life works and how you can play chess higher.
With all you’ve completed, what nonetheless motivates you to chase greatness?
I’m obsessed with profitable and all the things that I do. If I’m studying one thing, I need to be the very best I could be. I like the sport, I like evolving. I don’t love listening to my very own music.
Actually?
No, it’s not that I don’t prefer it, however I’ve heard it 1,000,000 occasions. Now I hear so many issues and I’m like, “Ooh. Why do I sound like that?” So I like evolving, the best way I pronounce issues and the best way I provide you with issues. I actually like it.
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Did you ever have a second the place you questioned whether or not this second album would really come collectively?
By no means. I at all times knew that I used to be going to drop a second album, I simply didn’t have a undertaking properly put collectively.
My followers be like, “Oh, it’s best to have put a undertaking collectively when ‘WAP’ and ‘Up’ was out,” however I solely had 4 information that I favored. I didn’t have an album executed round that point. I’m not the type of individual that’s going to lock in in two months and full an album. I’m very choosy with my music.
However on this period, you may drop one-off singles such as you did with “WAP” and “Up” and be OK.
Yeah, however I need to put out this complete undertaking as a result of I’ve a variety of songs. I recorded 60 songs. Each different day, I’m a unique individual, I modify my thoughts [about everything]. My staff is at all times like, “I hope you don’t change your thoughts about your songs.” I’m like, “Nope. I’m settled.”
Because you broke out, the world of proficient feminine rappers has develop into extra aggressive than ever. How do you keep assured and clear in your lane amid all that?
So many women come and go. They’re nice, however but [the fans are] asking for my product. Yearly there’s a debate on social media about when is my album dropping. They’re not saying that about different individuals, so y’all must ask them. That’s why I’m so assured.
Why do you suppose individuals are fascinated with girls MCs feuding? Is there a world the place everybody can coexist peacefully, or does the sport thrive off competitors?
No lie, these b–ches be catty. You possibly can’t stop a b–ch from being shady. Typically b–ches need to see what you’re about. They need to check you and so they need to check your gangsta. A whole lot of the b–ches will come on this sport and really feel like they will problem you. Some b–ches prefer to die younger. On this sport, you have to actually know who you’re difficult.
Individuals usually seek advice from you, Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion because the “Huge Three” girls in rap. Even with out an album in seven years, why do you continue to really feel such as you belong in that tier?
As a result of I do my job properly and I take my time with my music — clearly you may see that. Nevertheless it’s one thing you’d must ask the followers. So many [rappers] come and go, and I’m nonetheless right here. You possibly can downplay my accent, however I put a variety of thought into my work. I don’t half-ass something I do.
What does success appear like for Am I the Drama? A No. 1? A Grammy? Or is the win simply in lastly delivering it?
Successful a Grammy, probably the most prestigious award, you may by no means take that from me. All people desires to downplay it, however all people desires one. [But] occasions have modified. Success for me will probably be individuals saying, “She put out an important album.“ If [at] 3 a.m. individuals are speaking concerning the album, that’s going to be success for me as a result of individuals can’t wait to downplay it. I even need the individuals who don’t like me to be like, “Yo. That s–t is hearth.” Yeah, eat your f–king fruits, n—a.
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SZA mentioned she owed you a verse for the album. Did she ever ship it in?
She didn’t! I really feel like she’s been actually drained as a result of she’s been on tour after which on high of that, I don’t know. Perhaps she did do the verse. I’ve been listening to different conversations. We’ll see about that.
Are you able to share any options we will anticipate on Am I the Drama?
Nah, I don’t need to share it. (Laughs.) You simply bought to listen to it.
What went into the choice to incorporate “WAP” and “Up” — each a number of years outdated — on the album?
As a result of my followers requested for it. My followers at all times be like, “B–ch, you higher not [leave them off the album].” My followers don’t cease reminding me of the truth that I didn’t submit “WAP” for the Grammys. I’m not at all times going to submit [my music to the Grammys], however on high of that, individuals are crying about that like, “Oh, it’s about numbers.” These two information are usually not going to depend for the first-week numbers, which all people cares about. So what’s the problem? [Editor’s note: Any activity generated by “WAP” and “Up” before Sept. 19, when the album is to be released, will not count toward the album’s weekly chart performance.] On the finish of the day, so what, you’re going to get 21 new songs. [“WAP” and “Up”] are going to be on the finish. So what you’re crying for? You actually don’t care.
Different artists do the identical factor. You solely care due to me. If I’m actually doing it for the numbers, I may put “Cash” [released six months after Invasion of Privacy] as a result of “Cash” is [multiplatinum]. I may put “Press” [from 2019]. That’s platinum. Maintain on, I bought a variety of profitable f–king information. (Laughs.)
How would you examine your relationship with Atlantic now versus whenever you first began in your profession?
It’s a bit totally different as a result of there’s a variety of new individuals. I began off with totally different bosses and now I’ve new ones. S–t, I really feel like I had a disagreement on a tune with them as a result of I didn’t actually need to put it out, but it surely nonetheless labored out in my favor. It’s like, “Alright. Perhaps I can belief y’all a bit bit with that.” It’s by no means like, “Oh, I hate my label. I’m [bumping heads] with my label,” and stuff like that. So long as y’all give me my funds, I’m comfortable. It’s a little unhappy not being with the identical individuals that you simply began off with, however the brand new bosses, they’re cool. They’re younger. They get it. You simply must have conversations with individuals and go on to them. Be direct, say what you need, be direct to me and that’s simply that. We’re good.
Your connection to followers, particularly via Areas on X or Instagram Stay, has at all times been sturdy. How a lot did these bonds hold your spirit up via the album course of?
We have now a relationship the place I like them. Identical to how you like your loved ones and mates, you will get into arguments with them. They could possibly be a bit bit annoying, like, “Aight. Now y’all doing an excessive amount of,” however I actually love them. They are often therapeutic. It’s so bizarre as a result of I’ve someone new in my life and explaining that sort of relationship to my followers [can be weird], however they know me. And I do know them. I don’t go by individuals’s approvals, however I do take my followers’ approval for sure issues into consideration. It’s type of bizarre. In the event that they don’t like one thing or someone, I need them to love them, but it surely’s like, “Why do I care? Why do I need my followers’ approval?” However that’s as a result of they care about me rather a lot.
You’ve constructed one of many strongest characteristic runs in rap. In your eyes, what makes a Cardi B verse so particular?
First, I bought to essentially just like the tune. Second, even when I just like the tune and I don’t hear myself on it, I’ll actually inform an artist, “I don’t need to smash your tune.” If I do it, it’s as a result of I really feel very assured. I’m going to place my 100% on it. When you’re placing me in your stuff, I’m going to point out like to it. I’m not simply going to be like, “Oh, right here’s the report,” advertise for someday and goodbye. I actually put my all in it and if I can’t do it, I’m going to inform you straight up, I can’t.
You’ve by no means formally hit the highway for a full tour. What would a Cardi B tour appear and feel like?
I do know I’m a great performer. Properly, am I? No, I’m nice. I’m really actually nice as a result of I used to be a stripper. (Laughs.) However no, I believe my private tour isn’t going to be like another performances that I’ve ever had. From the aesthetics to the look to even the best way I carry out, I’m going to be doing issues that I don’t usually do, like work out, as a result of I need to be the very best. I’ve been going to so many alternative excursions. I went to the Madonna present and the Beyoncé present. I can’t carry out like Beyoncé, however you may’t half-ass nothing.
You realize Beyoncé doesn’t drink water onstage, proper? If she does, it’s solely a sip.
Yeah, however I bought bronchial asthma. My followers know I bought bronchial asthma. They know I’m going to must take a water break, however I’m going to present it my all. I at all times say this: I’ve two left ft, however I’m going to must get a faux leg. A proper one as a result of I’m going to present it my all. That is going to be one of many best excursions. I’m going to make it the very best.
What concerning the Tremendous Bowl? Is acting at halftime one thing you see in your future?
After all. I bought requested to do the Tremendous Bowl and I denied it. I really feel like quickly, if I get to do it, I’m going to have extra hits. I’m going to be extra skilled and I’m going to eat that up.
Since Invasion of Privateness, you’ve develop into a mom of three. How has motherhood formed you?
It turned me into an actual lady. I used to be like, “What makes a lady? Her physique? Her cooking?” It’s her maturity and her pondering. If I didn’t have youngsters, I wouldn’t sacrifice a lot. This summer time, I haven’t even put my ft in a pool. I do all the things for my youngsters. I’m the one supplier and you realize what? Ain’t no complaining about it. I like them a lot and so they floor me. Typically I be so exhausted and it’s not even about work, it’s simply life. When you suppose whenever you get wealthy you’re going to cease working, you’re by no means going to cease working. My mother was once a freakin’ cashier and he or she used to work each single day. To this present day, I nonetheless discuss how arduous my mother labored. I had a really tough childhood, however my mother at all times made positive we ain’t go to no shelter. I need my youngsters to be like, “My mother made positive I had all the things that I wished.”
Friendship has at all times been on the core of your relationship with Offset. Regardless of the ups and downs, do you envision a long-lasting friendship with him?
I attempted. Subsequent query.
You’re relationship NFL star Stefon Diggs. Was it powerful at first to not solely date once more, however go public, particularly with somebody who’s additionally within the highlight?
It was very powerful, however it’s what it’s. It’s powerful hiding. It’s powerful relationship in your 30s, too, however I like him. I like him, right now. (Laughs.) I used to be at all times fearful of relationship individuals [because] I’ve at all times been in an extended relationship since I used to be like 21.
How has he impressed you to be a greater model of your self creatively or personally?
Personally, I’ll by no means complain about my job or about lack of sleep. I’m not superdisciplined. I don’t actually have a sleep schedule. I don’t ever prefer to map out my day. I don’t even prefer to schedule my month. It simply overwhelms me. The one factor I’ve been studying is to be extra organized and never complain.
He has to do two various things: be taught his playbook and get bodily. He must be in mattress at a sure time and get up at a sure time. I’m like, “Oh, my gosh. You’re actually within the army. You actually work arduous.” I work arduous, however I can take a bit break. I can lay again and I don’t must be working, but it surely’s very inspirational to see how arduous someone works. It’s similar to, “Wow. You have to be pleased with your self.”
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You’ve impressed a era of latest feminine rappers. Do you see your self as a mentor now, and is {that a} function you embrace?
Have your ever learn [Sister Souljah’s novel] The Coldest Winter Ever? (Laughs.) On the finish of the e book, the primary character, Winter, was in jail. She minimize a b–ch — or some s–t like that — then they let her out to go to her mother’s funeral. She noticed her sister moving into her similar footsteps and wished to present her recommendation. Earlier than she gave her recommendation she was like, “You realize what? F–okay it. Let her undergo what I went via. Let her be taught on her personal.” Typically you bought to let b–ches be taught on their very own. I’ve to as a result of there have been so many b–ches that I’ve sat down and given recommendation from the center. Like, if I see individuals bullying you due to regardless of the f–okay, I’m going to go in your DMs and offer you recommendation. However generally I bought to essentially maintain myself [back] and say, “No, b–ch. Don’t do it,” as a result of these b–ches turned their backs on me, f–ked my man, talked about me and someone informed me about it.
After your first album, you turned a pressure in trend, magnificence and branding. How intentional was that?
Style is one thing I actually love. I like garments. I like model. I like placing issues collectively properly. I’ve an incredible staff and we at all times get a thrill about placing wonderful outfits [together]. It’s actually a sport to us. Even when it will get intense, like this Style Week that simply handed. We have been at all times arguing. There have been tears shed, however we liked these finish outcomes a lot. For this reason we do it on a regular basis. The shortage of sleep, the disagreements [happen], however on the finish, I appear like a doll and folks say I look wonderful.
In relation to branding, if you happen to’re going to place one thing out, it must be the very best. Think about someone f–king you on the primary date. They f–ked you but it surely’s not the very best p—y they ever had? You need individuals to say that’s the very best p—y they ever had. You don’t need to give individuals drunk p—y. Drunk p—y is sweet, however what occurs whenever you’re not drunk? It’s not good. I need it to be good on a regular basis.
You’ve at all times immersed your self in politics. Is that one thing that you simply hope to move right down to your youngsters once they become older?
Sure, please! I hope they take that trait from me. You at all times have to concentrate on what’s taking place to the world and what’s occurred earlier than, as a result of issues actually do repeat themselves. Perhaps not one thing drastic like a world conflict, slavery or the Holocaust, however there’s at all times shady s–t occurring. I simply need them to at all times pay attention to what’s occurring and what may occur. However there’s one thing about politics that will get me in a rabbit gap. I keep in mind eager to say one thing so unhealthy this week, however I used to be like, “I can’t.”
You bit your tongue?
I’ve to chunk my tongue. I actually, actually needed to chunk my tongue, however you realize the explanation why I’ve been so silent about politics? It’s as a result of after I used to complain the previous 4 years, I do know for a reality that folks watch my stuff. I do know it. I do know the White Home watches my stuff. I’ve an enormous platform. I do know they hearken to what I say. I may not say it the prettiest method, however I do know they hearken to what I’m saying. There’s a president that is aware of I’ve by no means supported him and it’s like if I say one thing, he’s not going to care. I attempted to present individuals warnings and it’s what it’s. What I can do? What I can say?
There was a time after I mentioned I wasn’t voting for no one. All people’s doing shady s–t. I used to be like, you realize what? I needed to decide the lesser evil. Individuals thought it was humorous. Individuals made enjoyable of my accent. Individuals made enjoyable of my speech [at a Kamala Harris rally days before the 2024 presidential election]. I used to be, “Aight. Y’all gonna see what’s humorous.” S–t ain’t humorous proper now, isn’t it? It’s actually powerful out right here. S–t is actually tough out right here for everyone. I attempted to warn ya.
All I’m going to say is America is in a really unhealthy place. Regardless of who’s in cost, it’s going to remain like that as a result of we’re paying for unhealthy karma. Why [are we] paying for unhealthy karma? As a result of we have now been concerned in one thing morally unlawful, morally that God hates, morally that’s disgusting. I’m not going to discuss it. Y’all ought to know why. All I’m going to say is we’re going to be paying for a really very long time as a result of there’s no larger chief than God. We’ve been doing immoral stuff. We’ve been supporting and endorsing immoral, evil issues. Not one individual goes to pay for it; the entire nation goes to pay for it.
When you may decide one phrase to title this chapter in your life, what phrase would that be and why?
At first, I used to be going to say “complicated.”
How so?
It felt like a reset. Perhaps that’s the phrase. I’m resetting once more in my profession. I took a break and I’m about to return once more. I’m about to be heavy on tour and I haven’t been heavy on the highway in a very long time. That’s a reset there. Then, it’s a reset on my private life. The final time I used to be on the highway, I had one child. Now I’ve three youngsters. I used to be married, now I’m getting a divorce. I’m relationship. It’s a reset on all the things. Typically I really feel like I’m 20 once more. I shouldn’t really feel like I’m 20. I must be feeling like I’m in my 30s and I’m settled, however I don’t really feel as settled. I really feel like I’m redoing issues and relearning once more in each side of life. Profession and private. So I assume we should always say a reset.
This story seems within the Aug. 30, 2025, concern of Billboard.
