DJ Bella
Rating: ★★★★★
It’s been over seven years since Cardi B has dropped an album. There had been many rumors of a new album for years that had been pushed off. Cardi B would get on social media and threaten to no longer release a new project due to backlash and negativity from social media users, especially on Twitter. Her online presence is heavy and her fandom is involved in ongoing beef. Online quarrels would escalate and the pressure was enormous. Cardi B had a whole lot riding on her new album. Was it worth the drama? It was years in the making so it better have been worth it.
Would Cardi B fold under the pressure? Perhaps, but let us not forget that without pressure we would not have diamonds. That is how I felt after listening to this album because it delivered so much that I could have wanted and more. The features list alone had me anticipating the night this album would come out.
The artists I was most excited to hear were collaborations with Summer Walker and Kehlani. The gift of not one but two Summer Walker features. The album opens with one of these features, “Dead.” The song opens with Cardi B alluding to the public backlash and drama she has been involved in. We hear the angelic voice of Summer Walker juxtaposed with the boisterous bars of Cardi B. Towards the end of the track, the vocals of Summer Walker begin to sound like SZA. I swore there was an uncredited SZA feature on this song as well, but SZA confirmed via Twitter that she did not provide those vocals. She expressed anger with accusations of AI impersonations of her voice.
Summer Walker’s second feature is even better. “Shower Tears,” has become one of my favorite songs from the album. It is the exact heartbreak song that you would expect. They have both built a music career that has included public heartbreaks and popular breakup albums. Summer Walker provides a catchy chorus while Cardi B provides the rap that brings you through the heartbreak narrative.
“Safe” featuring Kehlani had so much potential considering how much I enjoy their previous collaboration, “Ring.” From the first time I heard “Safe” I knew that it not only lived up to my expectations but it exceeded. From the beat to call and response of Kehlani and Cardi B, this song is infectious. It is no shock that it is one of the most popular songs from the album. Whenever I go to play music, it is the first song I choose especially, if I am going to queue music from the album.
When I saw a Tyla feature I was intrigued but not exactly excited. I like Tyla but I do not gravitate towards her music much. That being said, I love “Nice Guy,” it is another one of my favorite tracks. I think Tyla sounds incredible and it makes me want to come back for more after each listen. I like the balance of Cardi B and Tyla, I think their different sounds compliment each other well. It makes for a real earworm.
A Janet Jackson feature is a real achievement for any musician as she is such a notable artist. “Principal” is a marker of Cardi B’s success and the song is exemplary. I absolutely love the song. I think it was such a unique, effective sample of Janet Jackson’s “The Pleasure Principle.” It is another song that I gravitate to from the album. The song works well because of the incredible dynamic of Janet Jackson’s silky, RnB vocals with Cardi B’s rhythmic flow.
Although it has not been long since this album dropped, Cardi B has already dropped bonus tracks and special editions of the album. One of which was AM I THE DRAMA? (ErrTime Edition). “ErrTime,” is a beat-driven song heavy on the hip hop vibes. The original song includes a line that references Cardi B’s fellow, female rapper and collaborator Latto. Naturally, the ErrTime Edition of the album included an “ErrTime” remix with Latto. I prefer this version as I love how both artists bring something special to the beat.
Cardi B was not kidding when she asked AM I THE DRAMA? Shots were fired on this album as she took jabs at many of her peers who she has had ongoing beef with. “Magnet,” is one of my favorite songs from the album. I can’t even put my finger on what entices me about this song. It is like one of those songs that scratches an itch in your head. Within the lyrics of “Magnet,” Cardi B disses JT and her relationship with Lil Uzi Vert. At one point, the two were cool, even collaborators. Cardi B is featured on one of the most popular City Girls songs, “Twerk.” Now that has changed because of the way that Nicki Minaj and Cardi B’s beef has impacted a lot of the mainstream female rap community.
Speaking of the effects of this beef on the broader, mainstream female rap community, Cardi B dropped another BIA diss track with the song “Pretty & Petty.” This diss track has gained attention online, specifically the opening lyric “Name five BIA songs, gun pointin’ to your head (Head). Baow, I’m dead (Grr).” The blunt song opens with a real bang (pun intended).
The first lead up single, “Outside,” was a strong hit that amped up anticipation for the album. My initial thoughts on “Imaginary Playerz,” the second lead up single, was that it was not nearly as impressive or exciting. Now, I have come to appreciate the purely lyrics focused rap that reminds me of the early female rap style. I have come to associate the song with the image of Lil Kim in a fur coat and I think that just about represents how I feel about “Imaginary Playerz.”
Another one of the more memorable, favorable songs on the album is “Hello.” This is the type of bad bitch anthem that Cardi B will always deliver. This song has a harder rap flow with an intense, faster tempo that amps you up. It is a hype song that is perfect for setting the mood whether you’re driving down the highway with all the windows down or pre-gaming the club. It also flows perfectly into the following track, “Magnet.” Similarly, “Salute,” is another notable track that has a catchy beat with a phenomenal flow.
“Bodega Baddie,” is a song that pays homage to Cardi B’s Dominican roots, particularly her Bronx Dominican roots. New York City has a vibrant Dominican and Caribbean community and culture. Bodegas are one of the establishments born from this community and culture. The lyrics also make reference to the culture and community with mentions of “soca” and “Sammy Sosa.” The song is also a sample of Dominican artist El Prodigio’s “Ta’Buena.”
The lyricism on this album is prevalent throughout each track. Meticulous structuring of the album creates for a seamless transition between songs. Intentional features and samples have contributed to the popularity and strength of this album. I have to give my props to the production as well. Well-crafted beats alongside Cardi B’s rhythmic flow make for an incredibly infectious album with songs I keep gravitating back to. Every day when I am faced with the choice of what I want to listen to today, it has become easy to decide because I will choose something from this album each time.
Top Tracks: Hello, Magnet, Safe, Shower Tears, Principal, and Nice Guy