"[Is Cardi B] The Drama?" Haters Will Know on September 19th
Seven years following her groundbreaking debut, Cardi B has completed her highly anticipated sophomore album.
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Observing the ephemeral careers of countless musicians and rappers—careers hastily propelled and then swiftly extinguished by fading cultural trends and transient, meme-generating catchphrases—it's clear that some artists respond thoughtfully, honing their craft and strategically adapting to shifting tastes to cement enduring legacies. Others resort instead to flamboyant media stunts, spectacle-driven attempts at prolonging relevance, or swift financial maneuvers aimed at sustaining lifestyles to which they've rapidly grown accustomed.
Cardi B, née Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, occupies neither category. Far from a punk bitch, she perceptively acknowledges the mounting impatience among her fans, who have anxiously awaited a sophomore effort for more than seven protracted years. Nevertheless, Cardi B, astutely aware of her position and artistic autonomy, recognizes no urgent compulsion to produce or rush new material. In the lengthy hiatus since the release of her debut and sole studio album, Invasion of Privacy, she has established an enviable record-breaking presence, delivering singles of such wide acclaim and commercial success that multiple tracks have surpassed diamond certification, indicating sales over 10 million units.
Beyond her accolades, Cardi B has adeptly leveraged her burgeoning influence into lucrative arrangements, short-term exclusive specials, and sponsorship agreements, garnering financial rewards far exceeding the early-career earnings typically amassed by many contemporaries in the music industry. Thus, the forthcoming album, intriguingly entitled Am I The Drama? and scheduled for release on September 19th, emerges less as a perfunctory obligation toward a contractual arrangement and more as an earnest creative gesture explicitly attuned to her dedicated audience.
Cardi unveiled the album via social media, presenting its provocative cover imagery, in which she stands, self-assured and enigmatic, amidst an ominous flock of ravens, not crows, as has been erroneously reported.
“Seven years and the time has come,” she posted on her social media accounts. “Seven years of love, life and loss. Seven years I gave them grace, but now, I give them hell. I learned power is not given, it’s taken. I’m shedding feathers and no more tears. I’m not back, I’m beyond. I’m not your villain, I’m your tyrant. The time is here. The time is now.”
Cardi B’s forthcoming record is far from merely symbolic—indeed, it signals a more profound catharsis, an expansive artistic reckoning through which she intends to unburden lingering truths. Cardi recently premiered her newest single, Outside, during an exclusive debut at the Cannes Lions festival in a move illustrative of this profound transparency. Officially released last Friday, the track deftly yet unmistakably alludes to her fractured marital past with rapper Offset, while simultaneously introducing the emerging chapter of her romantic life through references to her new companion, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs:
Well, let's go wrong for wrong (What?), let's go lick for lick (Let's go)
If I can handle that (Uh-huh), let me see you handle this (Okay)
Do you how you do me, bet you we won't speak again
Favorite player from your favorite team, he in my DM, uh
[…]
Chlöe called you king, that's cute, don't get me wrong (Don't get me wrong)
I like him too, so, baby, let me meet LeBron (Let me meet LeBron)
I love Savannah, let me see what she be on
What? It's plenty niggas, baby, I could keep it goin', look (Ah)
Royal rumble, this a jungle, lion and some cheetahs
'Cause clearly you don't give a fuck, so I don't give one either (I don't)
I like my niggas Black and country, that's just what it is
I can tell that he excited 'cause he go from small to big (Girl)
Comprising an expansive 23 tracks, Cardi B’s forthcoming album prominently features chart-topping hits like “WAP” and “Up,” which first captivated audiences nearly four years ago. When initially announced as part of the upcoming project, these selections provoked skepticism among critics, prompting a flurry of unfavorable commentary about their inclusion.
Addressing the criticism head-on via social media on Wednesday, Cardi firmly asserted that the presence of these previously released singles neither inflates nor detracts from her commercial prospects; instead, she emphasized their artistic significance as integral pillars anchoring the album’s broader narrative.
“This will be the last and only time I’m gonna address this.. WAP and Up are two of my biggest songs, my fans have been asking me to put them on an album, and people search for them on IOP all the time… they deserve a home […] I let haters make me not submit WAP for the Grammy’s and at this point I’m giving my fans what they want! These two songs don’t even count for first week sales so what are yall even crying about??? […] Do ya say anything when all these artist pull out all their little tricks and ponies to sell out??? Exactly….Now let them eat cake. Go cry about it!!!
As Cardi B readies herself for this pivotal career milestone, one anticipates a compelling resurgence in momentum, capitalizing on the strategic cultural influence that has always been foundational to her artistry. Contrary to speculative narratives alleging that her former spouse, Offset, purposely delayed her sophomore album’s arrival to accommodate his record release in October 2023, Cardi transparently attributed the prolonged hiatus to deeply personal reservations. In a candid admission shared via social media in December 2022, she revealed anxiety over potential separation from her children during a possible, rigorous tour schedule, compounded further by her understandable apprehension regarding the monumental task of equaling—let alone surpassing—the immense success achieved by Invasion of Privacy.
Ultimately, with the much-anticipated release now imminent, one hopes Cardi B will fully embrace and savor the rewards of her creative diligence. Liberated from external pressures, she is poised to navigate, with characteristic adaptability, the dynamic currents and evolving demands inherent in today's music industry.
Citations & Sources:
Aswad, J. (2025, June 23). Cardi B Announces “Am I the Drama?”; New Album Is Her First in 7 Years. Variety. https://variety.com/2025/music/news/cardi-b-announces-am-i-the-drama-release-date-1236437988/
Cardi B – Outside. (2025). Genius. https://genius.com/Cardi-b-outside-lyrics
Conteh, M. (2025, June 25). New Cardi B Album “Am I the Drama”: Features, Track List, Delays. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/cardi-b-new-album-am-i-the-drama-features-track-list-delays-1235371646/
Madarang, C. (2025, June 26). Cardi B Defends “WAP” and “Up” on Her New Album. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cardi-b-wap-up-am-i-the-drama-sophomore-album-1235372571/
Staff, U. W., & Thompson, E. (2025, June 26). Everything to Know About Cardi B’s New Album Am I the Drama? Us Weekly. https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/cardi-bs-new-album-everything-we-know-so-far/
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