by Diamond Brown
There’s much more to the music industry than what meets the eye, and as a music aficionado, I’m here to break it all down for you.
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris | Getty Images
Cardi B burst onto the scene in 2018 with her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, which has broken massive records and continues to be a lucrative body of work for the rapper. Since then, Cardi has made it clear that she is a mom first and a rapper second, focusing on making money. Her goal was never to be labeled the Queen of Rap, especially when things came to a head between her and long-time rapper, Nicki Minaj.
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When the feud began, Nicki Minaj made it clear that she is a rapper first—an artist who pushes her pen and hopes to motivate other upcoming female Hip Hop artists to write their own music. Cardi B responded aggressively, engaging in an online back and forth with Minaj. However, the ‘Bodak Yellow’ rapper reiterated that writing is not that significant for her; she is happy to make her money and go home to her daughter.
Cardi B has had numerous chances to go on tour, headline shows, and even release a second album. When her singles ‘Press’ and ‘Money’ were released, fans were tuned in and ready for CB2, only to be left disappointed. While there was no tour for Invasion of Privacy, Cardi’s fans empathized with the young mother because she did not feel that traveling on a tour bus or flying from place to place was safe for her daughter—understandably so. But what about now, in 2024? Why are fans so eager for an album and tour?
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STANS
Do fans love music from female Hip Hop artists, or do they simply believe they can control them? It’s an unhealthy parasocial relationship because we do not see this level of scrutiny from fans towards, let’s say, non-Black artists or Black R&B/Pop artists (aside from Normani, but that’s another topic).
Why is it that in the African American community, when it comes to female Hip Hop, the stans are so entitled and downright mean to their “favs”? Comparing an artist like Cardi B to Lauryn Hill is never going to work because prior to releasing her debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Hill was a reputable member of The Fugees, who had two albums under their belt.
