by Cardi B has quickly risen to become one of the biggest stars in hip hop and mainstream pop music. In just a few short years, she has achieved massive commercial success with multiple chart-topping hits and has become a cultural icon known for her unapologetic personality and energetic performances. However, Cardi B’s journey to fame was not an easy one. She grew up in difficult circumstances and had to work extremely hard to make it in the music industry. Throughout her career, many of Cardi B’s lyrics have dealt with themes of hardship, adversity, resilience, and overcoming challenges to achieve success. Her music serves as an inspiration for others who have faced loss or struggle in their own lives.
Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, was born in 1992 in the Bronx borough of New York City. She grew up in a low-income household and had a difficult childhood. In interviews, Cardi B has opened up about experiencing poverty and hardship as a child. Money was very tight for her family, and they sometimes had to go without basic necessities. She has also spoken about facing racism and colorism as a dark-skinned Afro-Latina woman growing up in America. These early life experiences clearly shaped Cardi B and motivated her to work hard to change her circumstances.
After high school, Cardi B held a variety of service industry jobs, including working as a cashier at an Amish Market and later becoming an exotic dancer. It was during this time that she began pursuing a career in music. She started by making a name for herself on social media, where she would post herself rapping and freestyling. Her bubbly personality and charismatic online presence helped her gain a loyal following. In 2015, she appeared as a regular cast member on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York, further increasing her exposure.
Cardi B’s breakthrough came in 2017 with the release of her debut single “Bodak Yellow.” The track was an instant hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the biggest songs of the year. With raw, boastful lyrics delivered in her signature vocal style over a hypnotic beat, “Bodak Yellow” served as Cardi B’s introduction to the world. The song’s lyrics find Cardi celebrating her success and material wealth, while also acknowledging where she came from – “No more food stamps, I’m headed to the bank/Look at my neck, look at my jet/Ain’t got enough money to pay me respect.”
These lines directly reference Cardi B’s journey from financial hardship to achieving wealth and status through her music career. She raps about things like designer clothes, jewelry, and private jets – luxuries that were far out of reach for her growing up in poverty. However, she doesn’t forget her roots or act entitled, instead using her platform to inspire others who may be facing similar struggles. The success of “Bodak Yellow” proved there was a appetite for Cardi B’s authentic, no-holds-barred storytelling style, paving the way for her breakout year.
In 2018, Cardi B released her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy to widespread critical acclaim. Led by the massive hits “Be Careful” and “I Like It” featuring J Balvin and Bad Bunny, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and earned Cardi B several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Throughout Invasion of Privacy, Cardi continues to explore themes of hardship and resilience. On tracks like “Be Careful,” she addresses relationship issues and infidelity, rapping candidly about heartbreak and moving on. Meanwhile, the Latin trap-influenced “I Like It” finds Cardi fully embracing her cultural heritage in its sampling of Pete Rodriguez’s 1990 song “I Like It Like That.”
Sampling older songs is a technique Cardi B utilizes frequently in her music to acknowledge musical traditions while also putting her own spin on them. For example, “Bodak Yellow” interpolates the melody and lyrics from Kodak Black’s 2015 song “No Flockin.” By sampling the work of artists who came before her, Cardi pays homage to past eras and genres that have influenced her sound. At the same time, she transforms these interpolations into something fresh and contemporary. This approach represents Cardi’s ability to honor her roots and past influences, while also forging her own path forward and creating something new.
In addition to sampling, Cardi B’s music blends elements from various genres like hip hop, Latin trap, and pop. Her 2018 hit “I Like It” in particular shows how she seamlessly bridges the gap between English and Spanish languages over an infectious beat. By refusing to restrict herself to one specific style, Cardi embraces all parts of her multicultural identity and background. She defies expectations of what a mainstream rapper should sound like, paving the way for greater representation and inclusion. This boundary-pushing approach through genre-blending can be seen as another way Cardi renews musical traditions and carves out space for marginalized voices.
A consistent theme throughout Cardi B’s discography is the unapologetic celebration of femininity and female empowerment. From her breakout single “Bodak Yellow” to tracks like “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi proudly asserts her sexuality and confidence as a woman through boastful, explicit lyrics. Having experienced hardship and overcome adversity, Cardi uses her platform to uplift other women. She normalizes topics like sexuality that have traditionally been taboo for women to discuss openly. In doing so, Cardi empower others and helps renew outdated standards of femininity. Her unfiltered brand of feminism has been inspirational to many, particularly those who have faced discrimination or lack of opportunity due to gender.
Beyond her music, Cardi B has also used her influence to advocate for important social and political causes. She is outspoken on issues like racism, inequality, and the struggles of underrepresented groups. Cardi has encouraged fans to vote and be actively engaged in the political process. She even interviewed President Biden in a lighthearted yet informative sit-down. Through these efforts, Cardi demonstrates how artists can utilize their platforms to enact positive change and renew civic participation. Her activism shows that one can be both politically engaged while still making chart-topping music that brings joy to millions of fans worldwide.
In summary, Cardi B’s journey from hardship to superstardom has been nothing short of remarkable. Through her raw, unfiltered storytelling in songs, she has provided inspiration to those facing adversity by showing how resilience, hard work and believing in oneself can help overcome challenges. Whether through sampling past eras, genre-blending, or celebrating femininity, Cardi B’s music serves to both honor traditions of the past while also renewing and expanding musical and cultural boundaries. Even as her success and wealth have grown exponentially, Cardi remains grounded in where she came from. She uses her platform to advocate for marginalized groups and encourage civic participation. In doing so, Cardi B has proven that artists can achieve commercial success while still creating meaningful social impact. Her rise from poverty to becoming one of the biggest pop stars in the world is a true testament to overcoming hardship through resilience and determination.
