Andrew Hylton

Cardi B: The Next Princess of Rap

Since the release of her highly successful single "Bodak Yellow" in 2017, which topped the Billboard Hot 100, Cardi B has been on the radars of not only hip hop/rap audiences, but mainstream pop as well. She was known primarily for starring in the VH1 series Love & Hip Hop: New York. However, her personality and witty sense of humor made her stick out from the rest of her cast, making her thus far the most notable cast member to have come out of the music driven reality show. When many heard her first single, it was the first time since Nicki Minaj that we have seen a female rapper with such charisma and edge to backup the gritty production behind hard-hitting lyrics. Unlike Iggy Azalea, who came after Minaj in the hip hop game, Cardi B brings authenticity and originality that is completely different than Azalea. For the most part, Azalea appealed to a primarily white and pop audience, while Cardi B connects to a more broader crowd that consist of Blacks and Latinos, who are urban consumers of music. Although Cardi B receives praise from minority listeners, she also gets recognition from mainstream media. Being raised in the Bronx, she comes across as relatable and humbled when talking about her past as a stripper and how she had to struggle to get to where she is now, which is a major force in the music industry.