Cardi B is no stranger to stirring up conversations, but this time, the Bronx-born rapper turned her frustration toward some of her fans. During a livestream on X Spaces Tuesday, Cardi, 32, candidly addressed the backlash she received after sharing a snippet of an unreleased song on Instagram.
The video featured Cardi in a recording studio rapping along to a track she ultimately discarded in 2019. Her caption made her opinion clear: “I hate this song.” However, the clip sparked a wave of criticism from fans, prompting the rap superstar to set the record straight.”I really need some of y’all to stop being so stupid, dumb, slow, and stubborn, okay? Just dumb and stubborn,” she vented. Cardi explained that while she often revisits old tracks, it’s not necessarily because she loves them.
“Sometimes I listen to old songs or scrapped songs. Just because a song is scrapped doesn’t mean there aren’t two or three lines that are fire,” she said. “I might reuse them for a new track. Even if I don’t like the full song, the beat or a specific line could inspire something fresh.”
Cardi revealed that she shared the snippet of the canceled song because she found a particular lyric funny: “Main na, side na, f** them n**as.” She hoped fans would enjoy the humor, but instead, it became a lightning rod for criticism.
“Some of y’all act like I owe you something for every scrap of music I create,” she remarked, addressing the entitlement she feels from some fans.
The “WAP” rapper also reminded listeners that she has a massive backlog of unreleased tracks.
“I have over 100 songs sitting in the vault,” Cardi said, dismissing demands for music addressing her personal life, including her divorce from Offset. She made it clear that she won’t be pressured into releasing tracks simply to satisfy curiosity about her private affairs.
By the end of the livestream, Cardi announced she would take a step back from the public eye for the remainder of the year, save for a few contractual obligations.
“I’m done with people for now,” she declared. “I’ve got three more commitments, and that’s it. After that, I’m out. I need time for myself.”
Cardi also hinted at a big year ahead. Her long-awaited second album, rumored to be titled Defamation of Character, is slated for release in 2024. While fans eagerly await new music, Cardi expressed the importance of focusing on her own well-being and artistic journey.
“I already know what my 2024 looks like, and I have to focus on myself. I’ve had my fun, but now it’s time to reset,” she shared.
Despite not releasing a full album since her 2018 debut, Invasion of Privacy, Cardi has continued to dominate charts and maintain her relevance in the music industry. She reminded fans in September that her debut album “still sells like hotcakes.”
Cardi’s frustration with fan reactions isn’t new. As one of the most outspoken figures in the entertainment world, she often grapples with public scrutiny of her choices. Yet, her ability to address these issues head-on has earned her both criticism and admiration.
As Cardi prepares to close out 2024, she remains a force to be reckoned with. Balancing her personal life, motherhood, and an ever-demanding career, the rapper continues to redefine what it means to be a global superstar.
With Defamation of Character on the horizon and over 100 songs waiting in the wings, fans can expect Cardi to deliver in her own time and on her own terms.
“I do this for the people who truly want to hear it,” she concluded. “If you don’t like it, don’t listen. It’s that simple.”
