Cardi B, born and raised in New York, rose to fame for her no-holds-barred personality and unfiltered commentary about life before music stardom. She began as a stripper and reality TV star, then became one of the most influential women in hip-hop. Her breakout moment came in 2017 with the release of “Bodak Yellow,” a record-breaking hit that made her the first female rapper to earn a diamond-certified solo single. That same drive led her to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album for Invasion of Privacy, making her the first solo woman to take home that honor.
Today, Cardi B is not only a chart-topping artist but also a mother of three and a prominent figure in fashion and pop culture. She’s currently in the middle of a divorce from rapper Offset and dating NFL star Stefon Diggs.
Quick Overview
- Full Name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar
- Date of Birth: October 11, 1992
- Hometown: New York City, New York
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Marital Status: Separated from Offset (2017–present)
- Children: Kulture, Wave, and Blossom
Background and Upbringing
Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, grew up in the Bronx and spent time in Washington Heights with her grandmother. Her heritage is a blend of Trinidadian roots on her mother’s side and Dominican ancestry on her father’s.
As a teenager, she was affiliated with the Bloods gang and studied at the Renaissance High School for Musical Theater and Technology. To escape hardship and domestic abuse, she chose to work as a stripper, a decision she’s openly proud of for helping her reclaim her life. It even allowed her to return to school briefly, though she later left Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Cardi B gained popularity on Vine and Instagram thanks to her candid videos, which paved the way for her reality TV appearance on Love & Hip Hop: New York (seasons 6 and 7). She left the show in 2017 to pursue music full-time.
Her nickname “Cardi B” evolved from her sister’s name, Hennessy. People started calling her “Bacardi,” which she eventually shortened to “Cardi B.” She joked that the “B” can stand for anything depending on her mood.
In 2019, a video emerged where she admitted to drugging and robbing men during her stripper days, claiming she did what was necessary to survive.
Music Career
Cardi B made her music debut in 2015 with a remix of Shaggy’s “Boom Boom,” followed by her first mixtape, Gangsta B–– Music Vol. 1, in 2016. Later that year, she was featured on Underestimated: The Album with her song “What a Girl Likes.”
2017 marked her major breakthrough. After signing with Atlantic Records and releasing Gangsta B–– Music Vol. 2, she gained major attention and earned BET Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist.
The Impact of “Bodak Yellow”
Released in August 2017, “Bodak Yellow” skyrocketed to the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop charts, making Cardi only the second solo female rapper to ever top the Hot 100—after Lauryn Hill in 1998.
The song earned triple platinum status by year’s end and achieved diamond certification by 2021, surpassing 11 million in sales and streams. It also received Grammy nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.
Debut Album: Invasion of Privacy
2018’s Invasion of Privacy featured massive hits including “Bartier Cardi,” “I Like It,” and “Be Careful,” with contributions from Migos, SZA, and Chance the Rapper. The album broke streaming records on Apple Music and earned eight Billboard Music Award nominations.
“I Like It” topped the charts, making Cardi the first woman rapper to hit No. 1 twice. Invasion of Privacy won Best Rap Album at the 2019 Grammys, with Cardi becoming the first solo female rapper to win the category.
She made her acting debut later that year in Hustlers, alongside Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu.
Second Album: Am I the Drama?
Between 2018 and 2025, Cardi B released more than 25 songs, including major collaborations like “Girls Like You” (Maroon 5), “Clout” (Offset), “Money,” “Press,” and the viral hit “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion. “Up” also earned her another Grammy nomination.
After delays caused by creative decisions and her third pregnancy, Cardi confirmed in June 2025 that her long-awaited sophomore album Am I the Drama? will be released in September. The 23-track project includes “WAP,” “Up,” and 2025’s “Outside.”
Personal Life and Family
Cardi B began dating Offset in 2017. Though he proposed publicly in October that year, they had already married privately in September. Their marriage went through highs and lows, including infidelity and multiple separations.
Their daughter, Kulture, was born in July 2018, followed by son Wave in 2021, and daughter Blossom in 2024. Cardi filed for divorce twice—once in 2020 and again in July 2024.
Currently, she is dating Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Their relationship became public in June 2025.
Legal Issues
In October 2018, Cardi B turned herself in for her alleged role in a fight at a Queens strip club. She was charged with assault and reckless endangerment. In 2019, a grand jury indicted her on multiple counts, including felony assault.
She eventually pleaded guilty in 2022 to two misdemeanors, received 15 days of community service, and was ordered to avoid contact with the victims for three years.
Net Worth and Business Ventures
As of April 2025, Cardi B’s net worth is estimated at $80 million. She recently announced a new fashion and beauty partnership with the Revolve Group, expanding her influence beyond music.
Notable Quotes from Cardi B
- “I have a passion for music, I love music. But I also have a passion for money and paying my bills.”
- “Fame isn’t art, but the person you become when you’re famous—that’s art.”
- “Being a feminist is simple. If a man can do it, I can do it.”
- “I don’t just want to leave my kids a music catalog—I want to leave them a legacy they can build on.”
- “I used to care about making everyone else proud. Now I just want to make myself proud.”
