Cardi B is not missing, but she has been keeping a low profile lately. The American rapper, who is known for her hit songs like “Bodak Yellow”, “WAP”, and “Up”, has been dealing with some personal and legal issues that have affected her public image and career. In this article, we will explore who Cardi B is, what happened to her, and what impact she has on the music industry and society.
Who is Cardi B?
Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, was born on October 11, 1992, in the Bronx, New York. She is of Dominican and Trinidadian descent, and grew up in a poor and violent neighborhood. She attended Borough of Manhattan Community College, but dropped out to pursue a career as a stripper. She later became a social media star, posting videos on Vine and Instagram, where she showcased her outspoken and humorous personality.
Early life
Cardi B had a difficult childhood, as she witnessed domestic violence, drug abuse, and gang activity in her family and surroundings. She was also a victim of sexual abuse by a family member when she was young. She developed a rebellious attitude, and joined a street gang called the Bloods when she was 16. She moved out of her parents’ house at 18, and started working as a cashier at a supermarket. However, she was fired for giving discounts to her friends, and her manager suggested that she should become a stripper. She followed his advice, and began dancing at a club in Manhattan. She said that stripping saved her from poverty and abuse, and gave her a sense of independence and empowerment.
Career
Cardi B’s career as a rapper started in 2015, when she appeared on a remix of Shaggy’s song “Boom Boom”. She also joined the cast of the reality TV show Love & Hip Hop: New York, which documented her struggles and aspirations in the music industry. She released her first mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1, in 2016, followed by Vol. 2 in 2017. She gained more popularity and recognition with the release of her debut single, “Bodak Yellow”, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the first solo female rap song to do so since Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998. She also became the first female rapper to have three songs in the top 10 of the Hot 100 at the same time, with “Bodak Yellow”, “No Limit”, and “MotorSport”.
In 2018, Cardi B released her first studio album, Invasion of Privacy, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and received critical acclaim. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, making Cardi B the first female solo artist to win that category. The album also spawned two more number-one singles, “I Like It” and “Girls Like You”, making Cardi B the only female rapper to have multiple number-one songs on the Hot 100. She also broke the record for the most simultaneous entries on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart by a female artist, with 13 tracks.
In 2020, Cardi B released her fourth number-one single, “WAP”, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, which became a viral sensation and a cultural phenomenon. The song broke the record for the biggest first-week streams in the US, with 93 million, and sparked debates and controversies over its explicit lyrics and video. In 2021, Cardi B released her fifth number-one single, “Up”, which made her the only female rapper to have two number-one songs in the 2020s.
Personal life
Cardi B married fellow rapper Offset, from the group Migos, in a secret ceremony in 2017. They have a daughter, Kulture, who was born in 2018. However, their relationship has been rocky, as they have faced rumors and allegations of infidelity, abuse, and divorce. In 2020, Cardi B filed for divorce from Offset, citing irreconcilable differences, but later reconciled with him. In 2021, she announced that she was pregnant with their second child.
What Happened to Cardi B?
Cardi B has been involved in several controversies and legal issues in recent years, which have tarnished her reputation and affected her career. Some of the most notable ones are:
Recent controversies
- In 2019, Cardi B admitted in an Instagram live video that she used to drug and rob men when she was a stripper, as a way of surviving and making money. She said that she was not proud of her actions, but that she did what she had to do. She also claimed that she was not a rapist, and that she never harmed anyone physically. However, her confession sparked outrage and backlash from the public, who accused her of being a criminal and a hypocrite. Some people even compared her to Bill Cosby, who was convicted of sexual assault. A hashtag, #SurvivingCardiB, trended on social media, where alleged victims of Cardi B came forward and shared their stories.
- In 2020, Cardi B faced criticism and accusations of cultural appropriation, racism, and transphobia, after she posted a picture of herself dressed as a Hindu goddess, Durga, for a magazine cover. She was promoting her new sneaker line with Reebok, and posed with eight arms holding shoes. Many people, especially from the Hindu community, found her outfit and pose disrespectful and offensive, as Durga is a sacred and revered deity in Hinduism. They also pointed out that Cardi B was wearing shoes in a temple, which is considered a sign of disrespect in Hindu culture. Cardi B apologized for her mistake, and said that she did not intend to hurt anyone’s feelings or religion. She said that she was trying to pay homage to Durga, who represents strength and femininity, and that she was unaware of the meaning and symbolism of her pose and outfit.
- In 2021, Cardi B sparked controversy again, after she performed “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion at the Grammy Awards. The performance, which featured suggestive dancing, costumes, and props, was deemed too vulgar and inappropriate for a family-friendly show by some viewers and critics. They also argued that the song and the performance promoted sexual immorality, objectification of women, and degradation of culture. Some even called for the cancellation of Cardi B and the Grammys, and filed complaints to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Cardi B defended her performance, and said that she was expressing her artistic freedom and celebrating her sexuality. She also said that she was not responsible for the upbringing of other people’s children, and that parents should monitor what their kids watch.
Legal issues
- In 2018, Cardi B was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors, assault and reckless endangerment, for allegedly ordering an attack on two bartenders at a strip club in New York. The bartenders, who are sisters, claimed that Cardi B accused one of them of having an affair with Offset, and that she and her entourage threw bottles, chairs, and hookahs at them, causing injuries. Cardi B pleaded not guilty, and said that she was not involved in the fight. She also rejected a plea deal, and faced a possible prison sentence if convicted. The case is still pending, and the trial date has been postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In 2019, Cardi B was sued by a blogger, Latasha K, for defamation, after Cardi B posted a video on Instagram, where she called the blogger a “dumbass bitch” and threatened to sue her. Latasha K, who runs a YouTube channel called unWinewithTashaK, had posted several videos about Cardi B, where she made allegations about her health, sexuality, and marriage. She claimed that Cardi B had herpes, was a prostitute, and was cheating on Offset with his groupmate, Quavo. She also said that Cardi B’s baby, Kulture, might be born with intellectual disabilities. Cardi B denied the allegations, and said that they were false and harmful to her reputation and well-being. She also accused Latasha K of harassment and extortion, and demanded $75,000 in damages. The case is still ongoing, and both parties have filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit.
Cardi B’s Impact
Despite the controversies and legal issues, Cardi B has also made a positive impact on the music industry and society, through her philanthropy and fashion.
Philanthropy
Cardi B has been involved in various charitable causes and initiatives, such as:
- In 2017, she donated $500,000 to the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and also performed at a benefit concert for the cause.
- In 2018, she partnered with Tinder to launch a campaign called Swipe Off, which encouraged college students to vote in the midterm elections. She also donated $8,000 to the family of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, a 15-year-old boy who was killed by gang members in the Bronx.
- In 2019, she donated $1 million to the fans who streamed her album, Invasion of Privacy, on Tidal. She also donated $25,000 to the Tennessee State University marching band, who performed at her Coachella set.
- In 2020, she donated $1 million to the coronavirus relief fund, and also gave away free meals, masks, and sanitizers to healthcare workers and essential workers. She also donated $200,000 to the Black Lives Matter movement, and spoke out against police brutality and racial injustice.
- In 2021, she donated $10,000 to the family of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black man who was fatally shot by a police officer in Minnesota.
Fashion
Cardi B has also made a mark in the fashion industry, as she has collaborated with various brands and designers, such as:
- In 2018, she launched her first clothing line with Fashion Nova, an online retailer that caters to women of different sizes and shapes. The collection sold out within minutes, and generated $10.8 million in sales. She also won the Style Influencer of the Year award at the American Music Awards.
- In 2019, she debuted her second clothing line with Fashion Nova, which featured more than 100 pieces, ranging from denim, dresses, outerwear, accessories, and footwear. The collection also included items for children and men, inspired by her daughter and husband. She also partnered with Reebok to create her own sneaker line, called the Club C Cardi.
- In 2020, she became the first female rapper to appear on the cover of Vogue, where she posed with her daughter, Kulture. She also graced the covers of other magazines, such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Billboard. She also won the Fashion Icon award at the People’s Choice Awards.
- In 2021, she became the first female rapper to be named the face of Balenciaga, a luxury fashion house. She also launched her third clothing line with Fashion Nova, which featured more than 150 pieces, inspired by her latest album, Up.
Conclusion
Cardi B is one of the most successful and influential female rappers of all time, who has broken records and barriers in the music industry and beyond. She is also a controversial and polarizing figure, who has faced criticism and legal troubles for her actions and statements. However, she is also a philanthropist and a fashion icon, who has used her platform and wealth to support various causes and express her creativity and style. Cardi B is not missing, but she is certainly making a statement.
