The five moments which have made Cardi B an icon
Cardi B, aka Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, is the queen of the unfiltered, explicit, and outgoing. Her music made her a star, and her personality made her an icon. Cardi just doesn’t conform to societal expectations. She does things her way and by her rules. She takes life by the horns and ambitiously soars through the air, confidently confronting whatever is thrown her way.
Born in Manhattan, New York City, the name Cardi B came from the derivation of the rum brand Bacardi, a nickname she was known for in her youth. However, in 2013, her name started to linger on others’ lips when her social media presence blew up, both on Vine and Instagram.
Her music career gained traction in the later years, and it was in 2017, with the release of ‘Bodak Yellow, ’ that her fame became prominent. She was the first female to top the Billboard charts since Lauryn Hill’s ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ and the first of Dominican ancestry. She also most recently became the first female rapper with three solo top-ten debuts.
With other huge releases such as Invasion of Privacy in 2018, ‘WAP’ with Megan Thee Stallion and ‘Please Me’ featuring Bruno Mars, her charismatic and raw persona has become a hit with the public. Therefore, here’s a look at five moments that have made Cardi B the icon she is today.
Five times Cardi B made moves like an icon
5. Her sit-downs with Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders
Firstly, before Joe Biden was elected President of the United States, Cardi B got the chance to interview the politician about issues which plagued the country, including racism, police brutality and the impact of Covid-19. She then chatted with Senator Bernie Sanders in a nail salon, bringing him face-to-face with questions about the state of the US.
How much more iconic can you get than gathering two of the most powerful men in America to discuss important topics which represent the people of your country? During both meetings, she listened intently and asked hard-hitting questions and used her platform to promote social issues, a queen just doing queen things.
4. Succeeding in a short period of time
If we’re coming straight to the point, her career has been nothing short of miraculous. Properly beginning in 2015, fast forward to now, and she has won a Grammy, six American Music Awards, six BET Awards, four iHeartRadio Music Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, six Soul Train Music Awards and a NRJ Music Award. Phew!
She has also earned six Guinness World Records during her career, and there is way more to come. Her recognition spans awards across the board and categories, gaining a worldwide reputation as one of the most influential artists to ever grace music.
3. Her choices as a mother
Cardi B has three children, all with her former ex-husband and rapper Offset. Balancing her chaotic lifestyle and giving these children the life they deserve must be a difficult obstacle. However, what she has done brilliantly is kept them out of the limelight instead of forcing them into it.
They are rarely seen on her social media pages, allowing them to live the life a kid deserves, free of pressures and harassment. And the pictures or videos she does post are full of love and admiration for them. A woman who prioritises the more important things in life, what is more iconic than being a good parent to your children?
2. Her outrageously iconic fashion choices
Cardi B’s attitude matches her fashion choices; flamboyant and extravagant. Wherever she goes, whatever she does, she aims to impress and garner the public eye.
From her metallic gown at the VMAs in 2023 to her central character Burberry all-green look at the Met Gala this year, a legendary silhouette is delivered each and every time, with the pieces themselves carrying fashion history heft, leaving fans and media waiting on tenterhooks to see the final result.
1. Love and Hip Hop: New York appearance
This is where it all began for Cardi B. She was a contestant on seasons six and seven of Love and Hip Hop: New York, the show that documents and follows the personal lives of many artists trying to reach the heights of fame.
We first caught glimpses of her fiery personality, which took centre stage, as she clashed with many others on the show. One of these interactions with cast member Asia Davies bore the legendary “What was the reason?!” meme. She left the show at the end of 2016 to pursue her music career, a wise choice, but her short appearance resonated positively and fondly with fans of the show.