by Cardi B has quickly risen to become one of the biggest stars in hip hop and pop music. In just a few short years, she has dominated the charts with hit songs like “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It,” and “WAP.” But behind every chart-topping artist is a music lover with personal favorites that shaped their journey. While Cardi hasn’t publicly shared a definitive list of her all-time favorite songs, we can get clues from her interviews and social media activity over the years. Here’s a look at some of the songs that Cardi B seems to really enjoy based on her past comments and mentions.
Early Musical Influences
Like many artists, Cardi’s love of music started at a young age. She grew up listening to artists that were popular in the 1990s and 2000s such as Jennifer Lopez, Destiny’s Child, and Fiona Apple. In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, Cardi recalled dancing to JLo’s “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” as a kid. She also cited Destiny’s Child as one of her earliest musical inspirations, admiring Beyoncé’s talent and stage presence even back then.
It was also during her teenage years that Cardi started discovering hip hop artists like Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Missy Elliott. She told Billboard that Missy’s songs in particular “made [her] want to rap” due to their catchy flows and lyrics. Songs like “Get Ur Freak On” showcased Missy’s unique style, which clearly left an impression on the young Cardi. These foundational influences from R&B, pop, and hip hop would all contribute to Cardi crafting her own hybrid style in later years.
Early Career Favorites
As Cardi began pursuing music more seriously in her late teens and early 20s, she continued discovering new artists and songs. During this time, she frequently cited Drake, Rihanna, and Beyoncé as favorites. On Twitter in 2014, she referenced listening to Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” on repeat. She also praised Rihanna for continuously pushing boundaries and reinventing her sound with each new era.
In terms of hip hop, Cardi was a big fan of Nicki Minaj’s early mixtape material. She told The Fader that Nicki’s 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty made her “go crazy.” Songs like “Itty Bitty Piggy” showcased Nicki’s lyricism and flow in a rawer form compared to her commercial releases. Cardi admired Nicki’s artistry and the confidence she brought to her raps as a female MC. This early fandom of Nicki would later inspire Cardi as she embarked on her own rap career.
Launching Her Career with “Bodak Yellow”
Of course, no list of Cardi B favorites would be complete without including the song that kicked off her rise to fame – “Bodak Yellow” from her 2017 debut mixtape Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1. In many interviews since, Cardi has expressed how much she loves performing the track live due to the energy of the crowds. She’s said she never gets tired of rapping the addictive lyrics, even admitting to listening to it herself in the car sometimes just for fun.
The success of “Bodak Yellow” as a buzzing social media song translated to mainstream recognition, becoming Cardi’s first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its catchy flow and boastful lyrics about her lavish lifestyle perfectly encapsulated Cardi’s charisma and personality. To this day, it remains one of her most popular songs, so it’s no surprise that Cardi continues to enjoy revisiting its impact.
Collaborating With Female Peers
In recent years, Cardi has shown love for her female rap peers by collaborating with many of them, in the process exposing her fans to new artists. Songs she’s featured on include “Bartier Cardi” with 21 Savage, “Twerk” with City Girls, and “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion.
She’s also been spotted bumping songs by other female rappers when they drop. In 2018, Cardi livestreamed herself listening to Nicki Minaj’s “Chun-Li” on repeat, clearly vibing to the beat and Nicki’s flow. She’s also shouted out tracks from artists like Saweetie, Doja Cat, and Meg. These cosigns demonstrate Cardi’s appreciation for the new wave of talented women in hip hop pushing the culture forward.
Personal Playlist Favorites
While promoting her 2020 album “Invasion of Privacy,” Cardi shared that she had Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Chris Brown on heavy rotation in her personal playlists at the time. Songs like Rihanna’s “Work,” Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love,” and Chris Brown’s “With You” exemplified the R&B and pop influences that shaped her own sound.
More recently, Cardi has mentioned jamming to Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” for its feel-good vibes. She’s also said she loves Harry Styles after hearing “As It Was,” showing her taste spans multiple genres. It’s clear Cardi enjoys discovering new music just like any fan, keeping her playlist fresh and eclectic.
Beyond just listening for pleasure, Cardi has cited certain songs as fueling her in tough times as well. When facing legal issues in 2019, she said Jim Jones’ “We Fly High” remix inspired her to keep her head up. And during the pandemic, she found solace in Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage,” relating to its resilient message.
Overall, Cardi B’s musical journey and favorites reflect her evolution as both a fan and artist. From Missy Elliott to Megan Thee Stallion, JLo to Lizzo, her taste represents the diversity of black music that influences mainstream culture today. While her personal list may change, one thing is clear – Cardi will always love celebrating talented women in hip hop through her support and collaborations.
