Cardi B is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and television personality known for her bold personality and chart-topping hits. She gained public attention after rising from internet celebrity to Grammy-winning artist with her debut single “Bodak Yellow.”
Quick Facts
Full Name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar
Age: 33 (born October 11, 1992)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Television Personality
Known For: “Bodak Yellow,” “WAP,” “I Like It,” Grammy Award for Best Rap Album
Marital Status: Married to Offset (separated as of 2025)
Children: 3 (Kulture Kiari, Wave Set, and a daughter born September 2024)
Early Life and Background
Cardi B was born and raised in the Highbridge neighborhood of The Bronx, New York City, to a Dominican father and a Trinidadian mother . She attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology and later briefly studied at Borough of Manhattan Community College . Before fame, she worked as a stripper to escape poverty and an abusive relationship, a chapter of her life she has spoken about openly .
Career and Achievements
Cardi B first gained national attention as a cast member on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: New York” from 2015 to 2017 . In 2017, she signed with Atlantic Records and released “Bodak Yellow,” which made her the first female rapper to top the Billboard Hot 100 with a solo single since Lauryn Hill in 1998 .
Her debut album “Invasion of Privacy” (2018) won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, making her the only woman to win that award as a solo artist . She has since released multiple number-one singles including “I Like It,” “Girls Like You,” “WAP” (with Megan Thee Stallion), and “Up.” Beyond music, she has acted in films such as “Hustlers” (2019) and “F9” (2021) and launched business ventures including fashion collections and a hair care line called Grow Good .
Major Event or Controversy
Cardi B has faced several legal battles throughout her career. In September 2025, a Los Angeles jury found her not liable in a $24 million assault and battery lawsuit brought by a former security guard . She has also been open about past controversies, including admitting to drugging and robbing men during her stripping days, which sparked significant backlash .
Why They Are in the News
On March 30, 2026, a federal judge in Texas dismissed a $50 million copyright infringement lawsuit against Cardi B . Producers Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar had claimed her 2024 song “Enough (Miami)” copied their track “Greasy Frybread.” The judge ruled that the plaintiffs lacked proper copyright registration at the time of filing and that Texas did not have jurisdiction over the case . Her attorney called the ruling “very pleasing” while the plaintiffs plan to evaluate next steps .
Conclusion
Cardi B is one of hip-hop’s most successful and influential female artists, having broken numerous records and barriers in the music industry. Despite ongoing legal challenges and public controversies, she continues to tour, release music, and build her business empire while maintaining her status as a cultural icon.
