Cardi B
Born 1992 · Age 33
American rapper, media personality and entrepreneur who rose from social-media fame and reality TV to become one of the most successful female hip-hop artists; known for chart-topping singles, the Grammy-winning album Invasion of Privacy (2018), and cultural impact.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar
Born in Washington Heights, Manhattan and raised in the South Bronx to a Dominican father and Trinidadian mother.
Reports of early gang affiliation (teen years)
Cardi B has said she was a member of the Bloods in her youth from around age 16.
Attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology
Studied at the vocational high school (on Herbert H. Lehman HS campus) where she developed early performance skills.
Began working as a stripper to escape poverty/abusive relationship
Started exotic dancing at age 19; has said stripping helped her return to school and escape an abusive relationship.
Enrolled at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)
Attended BMCC after returning to school; later dropped out to pursue career opportunities.
Social media clips go viral on Vine and Instagram
Early public visibility through viral videos and candid rants on Vine/Instagram that built her following.
Joins Love & Hip Hop: New York cast
Became a cast member on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York (season 6), gaining mainstream recognition.
Musical debut on Shaggy & Popcaan's 'Boom Boom (Remix)'
Featured on the reggae-fusion remix, Cardi B's first credited musical appearance on a record.
Releases first music video 'Cheap Ass Weave'
Uploaded her first music video, a rendition of Lady Leshurr's 'Queen's Speech 4'.
First endorsement deal with Romantic Depot
Began first endorsement deal with the NYC lingerie and sexual wellness retailer.
Releases mixtape 'Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1'
First full-length project (mixtape) released while still appearing on Love & Hip Hop.
Features in KSR Group compilation 'Underestimated: The Album'
Appeared on a collaborative compilation with other KSR artists; single 'What a Girl Likes' promoted.
Featured on Vibe digital cover (Viva issue)
Recognized in mainstream music press as rising star (Vibe digital cover).
Announced joining BET's 'Being Mary Jane'
Cast announcement for a role on the BET series as a recurring character (Mercedes).
Leaves Love & Hip Hop to pursue music
After two seasons Cardi B announced departure from the reality show to focus on music career.
Releases mixtape 'Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2'
Second mixtape released in January 2017; included tracks that increased industry buzz.
Partners with MAC Cosmetics & Gypsy Sport for NYFW event
Fashion partnerships during New York Fashion Week expanded her brand presence.
Signs major recording deal with Atlantic Records
Ink reportedly late February 2017; chose Atlantic over other offers for favorable terms.
Opens for The Lox on Filthy America... It's Beautiful Tour
Served as opening act alongside Lil' Kim and Remy Ma — notable live exposure.
Releases commercial debut single 'Bodak Yellow'
Major-label single released by Atlantic; production by J. White Did It.
'Bodak Yellow' debuts on Billboard Hot 100
'Bodak Yellow' entered the Hot 100 at No. 85 (chart dated June 22, 2017).
'Bodak Yellow' reaches No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
Cardi B became the first solo female rapper to top the Hot 100 since 1998 (Lauryn Hill).
'Bodak Yellow' three-week run at No. 1 (longest for solo female rapper)
The single spent three consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100, surpassing Lauryn Hill's two-week run.
Wins 3 awards at 2017 BET Hip-Hop Awards
Took home Best New Hip-Hop Artist, Single of the Year ('Bodak Yellow') and Hustler of the Year.
Nominated for 2018 Grammy Awards (2 nominations)
Received nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for 'Bodak Yellow'.
First artist to have five top-10 songs simultaneously on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (female)
Historic chart achievement (first female to do so).
Featured on Bruno Mars 'Finesse (Remix)'
Guest verse and 90s-themed video; track hit top 3 on Hot 100.
Releases single 'Be Careful'
Pre-album single released a week before debut album.
Charts 13 simultaneous entries on Billboard Hot 100
First female artist to chart 13 songs from an album on the Hot 100 simultaneously (chart dated April 21, 2018).
Releases debut studio album 'Invasion of Privacy'
Debut album received universal acclaim and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200; broke streaming records for a female rap album.
Reveals pregnancy on Saturday Night Live
Announced her pregnancy publicly during an SNL performance one day after album release.
'I Like It' becomes No. 1 on Hot 100
Collaboration with Bad Bunny and J Balvin reached No. 1 in July 2018, giving Cardi her second Hot 100 chart-topper.
Wins 3 MTV Video Music Awards (including Best New Artist)
Received multiple VMAs for the Invasion of Privacy era; nominated 12 times in 2018.
'Girls Like You' (with Maroon 5) reaches No. 1
Featured verse on Maroon 5 collaboration that topped Hot 100 and spent seven weeks at No. 1.
Public altercation with Nicki Minaj at NYFW after-party
Scuffle where Cardi allegedly threw a shoe; drew widespread media attention and debate.
Charged in Queens strip-club fight case (surrenders to police)
Turned herself in and was charged with misdemeanors (assault and reckless endangerment) related to an August 2018 incident.
Honored at Ebony's Power 100 Gala
Recognized among influential figures at Ebony magazine's gala.
Wins Grammy Award for Best Rap Album (Invasion of Privacy)
Made history as the first solo female artist to win Best Rap Album (61st Grammys).
Breaks Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo attendance record
Set attendance record with 75,580 fans at the Houston Rodeo (largest single-attendance concert at the event).
Leads 2019 Billboard Music Awards nominations (21) and wins six
Received 21 BBMA nominations (most for any female artist that year) and won six awards.
Embarks on debut arena tour
First arena headlining tour across multiple U.S. cities in summer 2019.
Film debut in 'Hustlers' (released)
Acted as Diamond in Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez; film released Sept 13, 2019.
Judge and executive producer on Netflix's Rhythm + Flow
Served as a judge and EP on Netflix hip-hop competition series premiered Oct 9, 2019.
First tour of Africa (Nigeria and Ghana)
Performed shows in Nigeria and Ghana in December 2019 as part of international expansion.
Coronavirus reaction video becomes meme and song
A reaction clip to the COVID-19 pandemic was turned into a viral song by DJ iMarkkeyz.
Releases 'WAP' with Megan Thee Stallion — debuts at No. 1
'WAP' debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, earned 93 million U.S. streams in its first week and was the first female-rap collaboration to debut atop the chart.
Named Billboard Woman of the Year
Honored as Billboard's Woman of the Year (2020), the first female rapper so named.
Releases single 'Up'
Lead single (second) from forthcoming second studio album; later reached No.1 on Hot 100.
'Up' reaches No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
After a Grammy performance, 'Up' reached No. 1, becoming Cardi's fifth Hot 100 chart-topper.
'Bodak Yellow' certified Diamond (RIAA)
'Bodak Yellow' reached RIAA Diamond certification (10x Platinum) — first diamond-certified song credited to a female rapper.
Appears in F9 (The Fast Saga) film
Had a brief role in the Universal Pictures release F9 (June 25, 2021).
Featured on Normani's 'Wild Side'
Guest feature on Normani's single released July 16, 2021.
Features on Lizzo's 'Rumors'
Contributed a verse to Lizzo's single 'Rumors' (peaked at No. 4 on Hot 100); performed in music video while pregnant.
Co-executive produces Halle Berry's 'Bruised'; contributes song 'Bet It'
Served as co-executive producer on Bruised (Netflix) and recorded an original song for its soundtrack.
Hosts the 2021 American Music Awards
Hosted the AMAs, which were the most social telecast of the year; 'Up' won Favorite Hip Hop Song.
Partners with PLBY Group / Playboy (creative director in residence & Centerfold founding)
Announced partnership to serve as creative director in residence and founding member of Centerfold (creator-driven site).
Appears on extended 'No Love' (Summer Walker & SZA)
Featured on the extended version of the collaboration in March 2022.
Guest-voices as Sharki B on Baby Shark's Big Show! episode
Provided voice and performed a song as her aquatic alter ego on the Nickelodeon animated series.
Releases single 'Hot Shit' featuring Ye and Lil Durk
Released lead single announced during the 2022 BET Awards; debuted on Hot 100.
Releases 'Tomorrow 2' remix with GloRilla
Remix became a top-10 Hot 100 hit (peaked at No. 9) and earned critical acclaim as a top hip-hop collaboration of 2022.
Signs with Full Stop Management (Irving Azoff)
Signed managed representation with industry executive Irving Azoff's Full Stop Management.
Paid $1 million for private 35-minute Miami Art Basel performance
Gave a private set at Miami Art Basel in December 2022 reported to be paid $1,000,000.
Remix feature on Rosalía's 'Despechá' released
Appeared on an official remix of the Spanish hit in December 2022.
Headlines Rolling Loud Thailand (inaugural festival)
Served as one of three headliners for Rolling Loud Thailand festival in Pattaya (April 2023).
Headlines 2023 Summer Jam festival in Elmont, NY
Headlined one of the major summer hip-hop festivals in June 2023.
Releases 'Bongos' featuring Megan Thee Stallion (music video $2M+)
New collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion; high-budget video reported to cost over $2 million; song reached No. 14 in US.
Co-headlines TikTok's inaugural 'In the Mix' festival
Performed Dec 10, 2023; event later released as concert special on Disney+ and Hulu Dec 15.
Performs at Fontainebleau Miami Beach for Dick Clark's NYRE (aired live)
NYE performance on Dec 31, 2023 that aired live for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2024.
Releases 'Like What (Freestyle)' promotional single
First solo song since 'Up' (2021); freestyle over Missy Elliott's 'She's a Bitch'; reached US top 40.
Releases 'Enough (Miami)' single
New single became her 12th top-ten on the Hot 100 and her seventh No. 1 on the Digital Songs chart.
Features on Shakira's 'Puntería' (Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran)
'Puntería' reached No. 1 on Latin Airplay and topped Latin Pop Airplay for nine weeks.
Surprise performance at Madison Square Garden for Megan Thee Stallion
Appeared as a surprise performer on May 21, 2024 at MSG on Megan Thee Stallion's tour.
Co-headlines BET Experience festival at Crypto.com Arena
Headlined major festival event on June 28, 2024.
'Enough (Miami)' nominated for Best Rap Performance at 67th Grammys
Song received a Grammy nomination in the Best Rap Performance category (67th Grammys, 2025 ceremony).
Releases 'Toot It Up' with Pardison Fontaine
Collaboration released as new single on Feb 7, 2025.
Features on Desi Trill's 'Higher Love' for Smurfs soundtrack
Feature on lead single released Feb 21, 2025 for the Smurfs soundtrack.
Headlines LadyLand music festival in Brooklyn
Co-headlined festival with FKA Twigs at the end of June 2025.
Releases single 'Outside' (third single from second album)
Released June 20, 2025; debuted at No. 10 on Billboard Hot 100, her 13th top-ten and sets record for most top-ten debuts by a female rapper.
Posts album trailer for 'Am I the Drama?'
Shared an album trailer skit on social media June 30, 2025 ahead of album release.
Releases second single 'Imaginary Playerz' from 'Am I the Drama?'
Released Aug 15, 2025; track samples Jay-Z's 'Imaginary Players' (1997).
Scheduled release of second studio album 'Am I the Drama?'
Album due Sept 19, 2025 — second studio album (23 tracks) recorded across ~6 years, delayed multiple times.
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