by Cardi B’s meteoric rise to fame came with its own set of unforeseen challenges. After coming onto the rap scene in 2015 with viral Instagram videos showcasing her quick wit and outspoken personality, she soon skyrocketed to superstardom with the release of her smash hit “Bodak Yellow” in 2017. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and made Cardi B the first female rapper to have a solo #1 hit since Lauryn Hill in 1998. However, with such sudden fame came intense pressure and scrutiny that Cardi B had to learn to navigate.
One of the biggest challenges was the pressure to constantly produce new music and content at the same level or better than “Bodak Yellow.” The song was such a monster success that it raised expectations astronomically high for Cardi B’s next releases. Fans eagerly awaited new music from her, demanding she release a full album soon after her breakout. This led to immense stress for Cardi B, who later admitted she rushed the recording of her debut album Invasion of Privacy because she felt like she had to strike while the iron was hot coming off the popularity of “Bodak Yellow.”
Making things even more difficult was the fact that she now had to balance her music career with newfound celebrity. Being a mainstream star came with obligations like appearing on talk shows, attending red carpet events, shooting magazine covers, and getting pulled in many directions creatively and professionally. Juggling all those demands while also trying to churn out more hits and meet her fans’ expectations was extremely overwhelming for Cardi B. She was now living life in the fast lane, expected to always be on, always producing content, and always engaging with the public. The drastic change of pace from her pre-fame life was a massive adjustment.
Beyond just the music, Cardi B had to deal with constant scrutiny from the media over her appearance, personal life, and even her past. As soon as she became famous, all aspects of her life were examined intensely by gossip sites, magazines, social media, and news outlets. Her fashion choices, relationships, and anything she said or posted online were all dissected and criticized. She even faced a wave of backlash in 2018 when older social media posts resurfaced in which she talked about drugging and robbing men while working as a stripper before her music career.
The media coverage was especially harsh on her because she didn’t fit the mold of a typical squeaky clean pop star. Cardi B was unapologetically raw and outspoken about her past as a gang member and stripper. She didn’t shy away from confrontations and controversies, frequently using social media to challenge detractors and set the record straight. This honesty endeared her to fans but also made her an easy target for attacks. It seemed like she faced more scrutiny and shaming over her appearance and conduct than the average male rapper. Staying above the constant criticism as her popularity exploded was extremely taxing.
In addition to the intense media attention, Cardi B also faced the challenge of figuring out who she could trust. As tends to happen when someone experiences rapid fame and success, all kinds of people came out of the woodwork trying to latch onto Cardi B and use her ascent for their own gain. She had to be very careful about who she let into her inner circle and keep people around her who were loyal to her before she was famous. The combination of new “friends” trying to take advantage along with the media microscope made it difficult for her to know who had genuine intentions.
Cardi B overcame many of these challenges through the support of her fiancé at the time, Offset from the rap group Migos. Their relationship faced its own ups and downs with messy public breakups and makeups. But ultimately he understood the demands of her new celebrity and helped ground her throughout the turbulence. She was also able to turn to her sister Hennessy Carolina and husband Offset when she needed honest advice from the people who knew her long before she was famous.
On top of surrounding herself with a loyal inner circle, Cardi B combatted the pressures of fame by staying true to her outspoken, unapologetic self. Rather than bend to the mold of what a pop star “should” be, she continued to openly discuss taboo topics like sex and share details about her past. Her genuine personality made her relatable and lovable to fans. It allowed her to take control of her narrative instead of being defined by rumors and attacks.
She also made conscious efforts to take breaks from the limelight and find joy in the simple pleasures of life. This included taking vacations, going back to her hometown neighborhoods in New York, spending time with family, and tuning out the noise on social media. These grounding techniques kept her sane amidst the chaos of celebrity. It reminded her of who she was outside of the non-stop work grind.
After the whirlwind two years that followed “Bodak Yellow,” Cardi B proved she was up for the challenges that came with fame. With her 2018 debut album Invasion of Privacy, she silenced critics who questioned whether she was a one-hit-wonder. The record spawned additional hit singles like “I Like It” and “Money” while also showcasing impressive versatility as both a rapper and singer. It went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, making Cardi B the first female solo artist to ever win that category.
The success of Invasion of Privacy cemented Cardi B’s status as a major force in hip hop. It gave her more leverage to shape her career on her own terms, instead of being controlled by industry pressures and expectations. She could take the time she needed to put out music without rushing projects for the sake of capitalizing on hype. The album also earned her respect as a serious artist rather than just a flash in the pan or social media personality.
In the years since, Cardi B has continued to dominate while also dealing with the challenges of fame with more maturity and perspective. She’s weathered controversies like addressing rumors of an affair with a rootless public apology to her husband’s alleged cheating with remarkable poise. She’s also become a mother, balancing her career goals with the demands of parenthood.
Throughout it all, the transparency, vulnerability, and humor that shot her to stardom has remained. She engages with fans online constantly, even when battling critics. During her public feud with fellow rapper Nicki Minaj, Cardi B took to Instagram Live to give her uncensored opinions on the drama. The rawness resonated with supporters.
Recently, Cardi B has been more open about the personal difficulties brought on by celebrity, admitting she feels anxiety about letting people down and depression from constant ridicule. But she impressively doesn’t let it stop her meteoric output, proving her resilience.
As she evolves personally and professionally in the spotlight, Cardi B continues using her platform and influence to champion causes like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. She even engages in political activism, famously declaring during the COVID-19 pandemic that “nobody gives more money out to charities than rappers.” Her outspokenness on social issues shows she sees fame as a broader responsibility.
Now several years into her superstardom, Cardi B remains as vibrant, hilarious, and outspoken as ever. She has masterfully navigated the challenges that come with fame while staying grounded in who she is. Considering her entire career arc transpired in just over three years, it will be exciting to see what she accomplishes next and how she continues to leverage fame as a force for good. Her rapid trajectory to success makes one thing certain: Cardi B is an undeniable talent whose star will keep rising.
