Cardi B

Cardi B
Name	Cardi B
Caption	Cardi B performing in 2018
Birth name	Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar
Birth date	11 October 1992
Birth place	Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper, singer, songwriter, television personality
Years active	2013–present
Spouse	Offset (m. 2017; sep. 2023)

Cardi B is an American rapper, songwriter, and media personality who rose from social media fame to become a dominant force in popular music. Known for her unfiltered persona and chart-topping hits, she has broken numerous records and is recognized as one of the most commercially successful female rappers of all time. Her work is characterized by its bold lyrics, trap music influences, and themes of female empowerment and financial independence.

Early life and education

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar was born in the Washington Heights, Manhattan neighborhood of New York City to a Dominican father and a Trinidadian mother. She grew up in the Highbridge section of the South Bronx, an experience that deeply influenced her worldview and later artistry. To escape a troubled home life and gang involvement, she worked various jobs, including as a cashier at an Amish market in Tribeca. She later attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology before briefly studying at Monroe College, though she did not graduate.

Music career

Her public career began on social media platforms like Instagram and Vine, where her candid humor garnered a massive following. This online fame led to a role on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York from 2015 to 2017. She independently released her first two mixtapes, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 and Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2, which caught the attention of Atlantic Records. Her major-label debut single, "Bodak Yellow", reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 2017, making her the first female rapper to achieve this solo since Lauryn Hill in 1998. Her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy (2018), was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, spawning further hits like "I Like It" and "Be Careful". Subsequent successful singles include "WAP" featuring Megan Thee Stallion and "Up".

Artistry and public image

Her musical style is rooted in hip hop and trap music, often incorporating elements of Latin music and dancehall. Lyrical themes frequently address her rise from poverty, sexuality, wealth, and confrontations with rivals in the industry. She is noted for her distinctive, aggressive flow and charismatic delivery. As a public figure, she is celebrated for her authenticity, outspoken nature on social and political issues, and flamboyant fashion sense, often making headlines at events like the Met Gala. She has also faced significant media scrutiny and public controversy, engaging in high-profile disputes with other artists like Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks.

Personal life

She began a relationship with fellow rapper Offset of the group Migos in early 2017. The couple married in a private ceremony later that year and have two children together: a daughter born in 2018 and a son born in 2021. Their relationship has been widely publicized, marked by periods of separation and reconciliation. She filed for divorce in 2020 but dismissed the petition, before separating again in 2023. She is a vocal supporter of political figures like Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, and has advocated for social justice causes including Black Lives Matter and LGBT rights.

Discography and filmography

Her primary musical releases include the studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018) and several standalone singles. She has contributed to major film soundtracks such as The Fate of the Furious and Hustlers, and has made cameo appearances in films like F9. Her television work includes her breakout role on Love & Hip Hop: New York and hosting duties on NBC's Cardi Tries. She has also served as a coach on the Netflix rhythm competition series Rhythm + Flow.

Awards and nominations

She has received widespread recognition from major award institutions. Her debut album Invasion of Privacy won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, making her the first solo female artist to win in that category. She has also won multiple Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, BET Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. In 2020, "WAP" won Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards. She holds several Guinness World Records, including for most simultaneous entries on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 by a female artist.

Category:American female rappers Category:American television personalities Category:21st-century American singers