Cardi B | Biography, Songs & Lyrics
Belcalis Almanzar, professionally known as Cardi B, stands as a prominent American rapper hailing from the vibrant city of New York. Born and raised in The Bronx, her rise to fame began with candid discussions about her past as a stripper on social media, coupled with her unfiltered and authentic attitude, which quickly earned her Internet celebrity status via platforms like Instagram.
From 2015 to 2017, she took on a regular role in the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York. The turning point came in February 2017 when she inked her inaugural major record deal with Atlantic Records. Her debut single with Atlantic, titled “Bodak Yellow,” soared to the summit of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking her as the second solo female rapper ever to achieve this feat, following Lauryn Hill in 1998. This track was featured on her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy (2018).
Cardi B, originally named Belcalis Almanzar, entered the world on October 11, 1992, in the borough of The Bronx in New York City. Growing up in the Highbridge neighborhood of the South Bronx, she has Dominican and Trinidadian heritage, often attributing her distinct accent to the time she spent at her paternal grandmother’s place in Washington Heights. Her youth involved membership in the Bloods gang, which she joined at 16. She attended Renaissance High School For Musical Theater & Technology, a specialized school located on the Herbert H. Lehman campus.
In her teenage years, she worked at an Amish supermarket in Lower Manhattan, which preceded her entry into the world of stripping at the age of 19. The suggestion came from her former manager after her dismissal from the supermarket, offering her a lifeline out of financial difficulties and an abusive relationship. Stripping became her means to escape her situation, earn money, and restart her education, even though she eventually dropped out of college.
By 2013, Cardi B started gaining attention due to viral videos on platforms like Vine and her official Instagram page. Her musical debut happened in November 2015 when she featured on a remix of Jamaican reggae fusion singer Shaggy’s track “Boom Boom.” The year 2016 saw her release her first full-length project, the mixtape “Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1.” The momentum continued to build as she made appearances and collaborations across various media platforms.
Cardi B’s breakout commercial single, “Bodak Yellow,” was unleashed in June 2017, rapidly ascending the music charts. Her persona and music style garnered attention, with features in magazines and events that solidified her status as a rising star. Her subsequent achievements, like simultaneous top 10 placements on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart and her debut studio album’s release in April 2018, showcased her increasing influence and prowess.
Her career was further enriched by appearances on reality TV and celebrity panels, showcasing her unapologetic and authentic personality. Cardi B’s musical influences were an eclectic mix, ranging from Missy Elliott and Tweet to Madonna and Lady Gaga. Her raw, aggressive rap style was compared to Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown, while her unmistakable New York vocal tone garnered attention for its genuine authenticity.
In essence, Cardi B’s journey from The Bronx to global stardom is a testament to her unfiltered and uncompromising approach to life and music, ultimately solidifying her place in the pantheon of influential artists. Below you can check out the lyrics to some of Cardi B’s popular songs.
Listen to the complete discography of Cardi B on Amazon Music