Career Timeline of Cardi B: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Cardi B built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, is an American rapper from New York City. She gained prominence for her energetic rap style and candid lyrics. Starting her music career in 2016 with two mixtapes, she's recognized for boosting the visibility and importance of female rappers in the music industry.
2009: Beyonce's concert tour
In 2009, Beyoncé used Mugler, marking the first time in 25 years the Paris house opened its archives to dress a celebrity, prior to Mugler's collaboration with Cardi B.
2013: Gaining Publicity on Social Media
In 2013, Cardi B began to gain publicity as her videos spread on social media platforms like Vine and Instagram, marking the start of her public recognition.
November 2015: Musical Debut on 'Boom Boom' Remix
In November 2015, Cardi B made her musical debut on Shaggy's remix of "Boom Boom", alongside Popcaan. This marked her first official foray into the music industry.
December 9, 2015: Appearance on Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne
On December 9, 2015, Cardi B appeared on an episode of Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne, marking one of her early television appearances.
December 15, 2015: Music Video Debut with 'Cheap Ass Weave'
On December 15, 2015, Cardi B made her music video debut with "Cheap Ass Weave", a rendition of Lady Leshurr's "Queen's Speech 4".
2015: Joining Love & Hip Hop: New York
In 2015, Cardi B joined the cast of VH1's reality TV series Love & Hip Hop: New York, debuting in season six. Her appearance on the show helped her gain popularity with audiences.
March 7, 2016: Release of Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1
On March 7, 2016, Cardi B released her first full-length project, a mixtape titled Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1, which marked a significant step in her early music career.
April 6, 2016: Appearance on Kocktails with Khloé
On April 6, 2016, Cardi B appeared on Khloé Kardashian's show, Kocktails with Khloé, where she shared personal details, including how she told her mother she was a stripper.
September 12, 2016: Release of 'Underestimated: The Album'
On September 12, 2016, KSR Group released the compilation album Underestimated: The Album, which featured Cardi B along with other KSR Group artists. Cardi B said her song on the album was meant to encourage girls to dance and "go get that Shmoney."
November 2016: Joining the Cast of Being Mary Jane
In November 2016, Cardi B joined the cast of the BET series Being Mary Jane, playing the character Mercedes, described as a "round-the-way beauty".
November 2016: Featured on Vibe Magazine's 'Viva' Issue
In November 2016, Cardi B was featured on the digital cover of Vibe magazine's "Viva" issue, highlighting her growing presence in the music scene.
December 30, 2016: Departure from Love & Hip Hop
On December 30, 2016, Cardi B announced her departure from Love & Hip Hop: New York after two seasons to further pursue her music career, signaling a shift in her focus towards music.
2016: Political Advocacy During 2016 Presidential Primaries
During the 2016 presidential primaries, Cardi B warned her fans about Donald Trump's immigration policies and encouraged them to vote for Senator Bernie Sanders, advocating for causes she believed in.
2016: Endorsement Deal with Romantic Depot
In 2016, Cardi B had her first endorsement deal with Romantic Depot, a lingerie and sexual health products chain, marking her entry into commercial endorsements.
2016: Launch of Music Career
In 2016, Cardi B launched her music career and released two mixtapes, marking a significant step in her rise as a female rapper.
January 20, 2017: Release of Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2
On January 20, 2017, Cardi B released her second mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2, furthering her music career.
February 2017: Partnership with MAC Cosmetics and Gypsy Sport
In February 2017, Cardi B partnered with MAC Cosmetics and Rio Uribe's Gypsy Sport for an event during New York Fashion Week, increasing her presence in the fashion and beauty industry.
February 25, 2017: Opening Act for The Lox's Tour
On February 25, 2017, Cardi B was the opening act for The Lox's Filthy America... It's Beautiful Tour, alongside Lil' Kim and Remy Ma, showcasing her growing prominence in the hip hop scene.
April 3, 2017: Appearance on Hip Hop Squares
On April 3, 2017, Cardi B guest-starred on Hip Hop Squares, appearing as a panelist on the celebrity game show.
April 2017: Featured in i-D's 'A-Z of Music' Video
In April 2017, Cardi B was featured in i-D's "A-Z of Music" video, sponsored by Marc Jacobs, further establishing her presence in music and fashion.
May 2017: Nominated for BET Awards
In May 2017, Cardi B was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the 2017 BET Awards, marking a significant recognition of her rising status in the music industry.
June 11, 2017: Performance at Hot 97's Summer Jam
On June 11, 2017, Cardi B performed at Hot 97's annual Summer Jam music festival, brought out by Remy Ma along with other female rappers to celebrate female empowerment and perform "U.N.I.T.Y."
June 2017: Cover of The Fader's Summer Music Issue
In June 2017, Cardi B was featured on the cover of The Fader's Summer Music issue for July/August 2017, marking her growing influence in the music scene.
June 16, 2017: Release of 'Bodak Yellow'
On June 16, 2017, Atlantic Records released Cardi B's commercial debut single, "Bodak Yellow".
August 2017: Performance at MoMA PS1
In August 2017, Cardi B performed at MoMA PS1, drawing a crowd of 4,000 people, further demonstrating her increasing popularity.
September 25, 2017: 'Bodak Yellow' Reaches Number One
On September 25, 2017, "Bodak Yellow" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Cardi B the first female rapper to achieve this with a solo single since Lauryn Hill in 1998.
October 2017: Headlining Powerhouse Music Celebration
In October 2017, Cardi B headlined Power 105.1's annual Powerhouse music celebration at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, marking a significant achievement in her music career.
2017: Rejection by Fashion Designers
During an interview in early 2017, Cardi B spoke on being rejected by some fashion designers, despite her affinity for both high-end and affordable fashion.
2017: Best-performing song of the year
In 2017, Cardi B achieved the best-performing song of the year by a female artist.
2017: "Bodak Yellow"'s Commercial Success
In 2017, Cardi B left an indelible mark with the commercial success of "Bodak Yellow", and gave hope to the have nots, Spin staff credited her for opening the table to a new generation of pop artists remaking American music in their own image and accents.
2017: Pitchfork's annual list of best songs
In 2017, Cardi B topped Pitchfork's annual list of best songs of the year.
2017: First Historic Run
In 2017, NPR Music commented that the renaissance of the dynamism of women in rap grew in enthusiasm and breadth since Cardi B's "first historic run".
January 3, 2018: Featured on 'Finesse' Remix
On January 3, 2018, Cardi B was featured on the remix of Bruno Mars' single "Finesse", boosting her exposure on a hit track.
January 18, 2018: Five Top 10 Singles Simultaneously
On January 18, 2018, Cardi B became the first female rapper to have five top 10 singles simultaneously on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking a major milestone in her career.
March 30, 2018: Release of 'Be Careful'
On March 30, 2018, Cardi B released the single "Be Careful" a week before her album's release, generating anticipation for her debut album.
April 6, 2018: Release of 'Invasion of Privacy'
On April 6, 2018, Cardi B released her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, to universal acclaim from music critics.
May 2018: Response to "Girls" Collaboration Accusations
In May 2018, following the release of the song "Girls", a collaboration in which she was featured, Cardi B responded to accusations that the song trivialized LGBT relationships, stating they never intended to cause harm and that she had personal experiences with women.
July 2018: "I Like It" Reaches Number One
In July 2018, Cardi B's single "I Like It", featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin, reached number one on the Hot 100 chart, marking her second number one and making her the first female rapper with multiple chart-toppers. It was critically acclaimed.
September 2018: Release of Tom Ford Lipstick
In September 2018, Tom Ford's Cardi B-inspired lipstick, named after her, was released and quickly sold out.
November 30, 2018: Honored at Ebony's Power 100 Gala
On November 30, 2018, Cardi B was honored at Ebony's annual Power 100 Gala. She ranked fifth on the 2018 Billboard Year-End Top Artists chart, while Invasion of Privacy ranked sixth. Also in 2018, Time included her on their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2018: Appearance at Grammy Awards
At the Grammy Awards in 2018, Cardi B appeared in a video along with Hillary Clinton to narrate a portion of Fire and Fury, Michael Wolff's insider's account of Trump's administration, expressing her disbelief at the described lifestyle.
2018: Best-performing song of the year
In 2018, Cardi B achieved the best-performing song of the year by a female artist for the second time.
2018: First Female Rapper on Vogue Cover
In 2018, Cardi B became the first female rapper in the U.S. to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine, photographed by Annie Leibovitz.
2018: Recognition and Awards in 2018
In 2018, Cardi B received 12 nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards, tied with Drake for most nominations at the American Music Awards, won three AMAs and performed at the ceremony. People en Español named her Star of the Year and Entertainment Weekly deemed her "a pop culture phenomenon".
2018: Release of Invasion of Privacy
In 2018, Cardi B released her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy. The album topped the Billboard 200 chart, broke streaming records for a female rap album, and went on to win a Grammy Award.
2018: Social Media Advocacy on Tax Policy and Praise for Franklin D. Roosevelt
In early 2018, Cardi B used social media to demand transparency on tax policy in New York state. Later in 2018, she praised President Franklin D. Roosevelt for advocating for Social Security and the New Deal.
January 2019: Vogue Cover Appearance
In January 2019, Cardi B appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, wearing a Michael Kors dress and Jimmy Choo shoes while holding her daughter, Kulture.
February 10, 2019: Grammy Award Win
On February 10, 2019, Cardi B performed at the 61st Grammy Awards ceremony, and became the first female rapper to win Best Rap Album as a solo artist.
February 15, 2019: Release of "Please Me" with Bruno Mars
On February 15, 2019, Cardi B released "Please Me", a collaboration with Bruno Mars, which became her seventh top-ten song on the Hot 100, reaching number three.
May 31, 2019: Release of "Press"
On May 31, 2019, Cardi B released her single "Press".
June 26, 2019: "Press" Music Video Release and Directorial Debut
On June 26, 2019, Cardi B's music video for "Press" was released, marking her directorial debut.
September 13, 2019: Film Debut in "Hustlers"
On September 13, 2019, Cardi B made her film debut in "Hustlers", directed by Lorene Scafaria.
October 9, 2019: Premiere of Rhythm + Flow on Netflix
On October 9, 2019, Cardi B, along with Chance the Rapper and T.I., appeared as judges for the Netflix series "Rhythm + Flow", a hip-hop talent search, which she also executive produced.
2019: Wearing Vintage Thierry Mugler to the Grammy Awards
Cardi B wore vintage Thierry Mugler to the 2019 Grammy Awards. An i-D article stated that the fashion house's resurgence was attributed to the Swarovski crystal-embroidered crinoline sheath gown she wore at the ceremony.
2019: Impact on Ghana's GDP and Inspiration for TV series
In 2019, Bloomberg News reported that Cardi B's data bill helped to boost Ghana's GDP growth after it was part of a concert tour. She inspired the creation of the sitcom Partners in Rhyme and was cited as an inspiration for the TV series P-Valley.
2019: ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Award
In 2019, Cardi B received the ASCAP award for Songwriter of the Year, becoming the first female rapper to win the award.
2019: Life-Sized Sculpture at Brooklyn Museum
In 2019, a life-sized sculpture of Cardi B was on display at the Brooklyn Museum as part of Spotify's RapCaviar "Pantheon".
2019: Recognition by CFDA and Anna Wintour
In 2019, the Council of Fashion Designers of America included Cardi B on their list of "28 Black Fashion Forces". Anna Wintour commended her fashion sense after the 2019 Met Gala, where she wore a Thom Browne gown.
August 7, 2020: Release of "WAP" Featuring Megan Thee Stallion
On August 7, 2020, Cardi B released "WAP" featuring Megan Thee Stallion. The song was a critical and commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and breaking records.
August 2020: "WAP" record of biggest first-week streams in the US
In August 2020, Cardi B's song "WAP" set the record for the biggest first-week streams for a song in the United States.
December 2020: Woman of the Year
In December 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be named Woman of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music Awards.
2020: Face of Balenciaga Ad Campaign
Cardi B became the face of Balenciaga's ad campaign for the winter 2020 season, with billboards appearing in international locations. This marked her first campaign for a luxury fashion house.
2020: Best-performing song of the year
In 2020, Cardi B achieved the best-performing song of the year by a female artist for the third time.
2020: Style Influencer of the Year
In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be awarded by the FN Achievement Awards, winning the Style Influencer of the Year award, presented by Christian Louboutin. She was recognized for influencing pop culture, from music and fashion to politics and public service.
2020: Woman of the Year at Billboard Women in Music Awards
In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be named Woman of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music Awards. She also received the ASCAP award for Songwriter of the Year for the second time, making her the first female songwriter to win the award twice.
2020: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders for President
In 2020, Cardi B endorsed Bernie Sanders in his second presidential bid, citing his long-time support for underprivileged minorities and his stance on Medicare.
2020: Pitchfork's annual list of best songs
In 2020, Cardi B topped Pitchfork's annual list of best songs of the year for the second time.
2020: Raising Awareness for Police Brutality Victims and Conversation with Joe Biden
In 2020, Cardi B used her social media to raise awareness for victims of police brutality. She also discussed Medicare, free college tuition, and racial equality with Democratic candidate Joe Biden for Elle magazine. She ranked as the fifth most influential celebrity for the 2020 presidential election.
2020: Influence on Female Rap Renaissance
In 2020, Neil Shah of The Wall Street Journal stated that Cardi B's breakthrough influenced "today's female-rap renaissance". Genius staff credited her for jumpstarting a new wave of female hip-hop signings and promotion at labels.
February 5, 2021: Release of "Up"
On February 5, 2021, Cardi B released "Up".
April 30, 2021: Appearance on DJ Khaled's album Khaled Khaled
On April 30, 2021, Cardi B made an appearance in "Big Paper", from DJ Khaled's album Khaled Khaled.
June 25, 2021: Brief Role in F9
On June 25, 2021, Cardi B played a brief role in F9, which was released by Universal Pictures.
August 2021: "Bodak Yellow" reaches 1 billion views
In August 2021, "Bodak Yellow" made Cardi B the first female rapper to have two videos on her YouTube channel with more than 1 billion views, joining "I Like It", and became the fastest solo female rap song to reach that mark on the platform.
November 5, 2021: Featured on Summer Walker's "Still Over It"
On November 5, 2021, Cardi B featured on Summer Walker's second studio album "Still Over It" on the opening track "Bitter".
2021: Invasion of Privacy and a New Era for Women Rappers
In 2021, Clover Hope's book The Motherlode stated that Invasion of Privacy jump-started a new era for women rappers in which success felt much more tangible as Cardi B multiplied the wealth of talent.
2021: Rhythm + Flow Return Announcement
In 2021, Netflix announced the return of Rhythm + Flow.
March 2022: Appearance on "No Love" Extended Version
In March 2022, Cardi B made an appearance on the extended version of "No Love," a collaboration between Summer Walker and SZA.
September 2022: Collaboration on "Tomorrow 2"
In September 2022, Cardi B collaborated with GloRilla, her cousin and fellow rapper, on a remix of GloRilla's song "Tomorrow", which was titled "Tomorrow 2".
October 2022: Reaches 100 million units sold in RIAA certifications
In October 2022, five years after her major-label debut, Cardi B reached 100 million units sold in RIAA certifications, across her album, singles and guest appearances.
December 2022: Private Performance at Miami Art Basel
In December 2022, Cardi B gave a 35-minute private performance at the Miami Art Basel for which she was paid $1 million.
2022: Donations and Pledges
In 2022, Cardi B made significant charitable contributions, including donating $100,000 to her former elementary school, I.S. 232 in The Bronx, and pledging to cover the funeral and repatriation expenses for the 17 victims of the 2022 Bronx apartment fire.
2022: Ranking as Most-Stylish Woman in Music
In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked Cardi B as the second most-stylish woman in music, behind Lady Gaga, and GQ considered her "one of fashion's preeminent risk-takers."
September 8, 2023: Release of "Bongos"
On September 8, 2023, Cardi B released "Bongos" featuring Megan Thee Stallion, marking their second collaboration after "WAP" (2020).
December 31, 2023: Performance at Fontainebleau Miami Beach
On December 31, 2023, Cardi B performed at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, accompanied by DJ Gryffin, which aired live for the 2024 edition of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.
March 1, 2024: Release of "Like What (Freestyle)"
On March 1, 2024, Cardi B released the promotional single "Like What (Freestyle)", which is a freestyle of Missy Elliot's "She's a Bitch" (1999).
March 22, 2024: Appearance on "Puntería" with Shakira
On March 22, 2024, Cardi B appeared on "Puntería" with Shakira, the opening track and eighth single of Shakira's twelfth album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.
September 2024: Music videos views on YouTube
As of September 2024, Cardi B has one music video with over 3 billion views ("Girls Like You"); one video with over 2 billion views ("Taki Taki"); and three videos with over a billion views ("I Like It", "Bodak Yellow", "Girls Like You (Volume 2)") on YouTube.
February 7, 2025: Release of "Toot It Up"
On February 7, 2025, Cardi B and Pardison Fontaine released "Toot It Up".
April 2025: Joint Venture with Revolve Group
In April 2025, Cardi B and e-commerce fashion retailer Revolve Group announced a joint venture for apparel and beauty lines.
June 2025: Headlining LadyLand Music Festival
In June 2025, Cardi B headlined the 2025 LadyLand music festival alongside FKA Twigs in Brooklyn.
September 2025: "Invasion of Privacy" Certified Six-Times Platinum
In September 2025, "Invasion of Privacy" was certified six-times platinum by the RIAA, making it the first album in history to have all of its thirteen tracks certified platinum or higher in the US.
September 2025: Public Service Announcements for MTA New York City Transit
In September 2025, Cardi B recorded public service announcements for MTA New York City Transit's subway system.
September 19, 2025: Release of Second Studio Album "Am I the Drama?"
On September 19, 2025, Cardi B's second studio album, "Am I the Drama?", was released, marking a significant milestone seven years after her debut album.
2025: Release of 'Am I the Drama?'
In 2025, Cardi B released her second album, Am I the Drama?, which became her second album to debut atop the Billboard 200. The album also broke several records, including the most charting songs in Billboard Hot 100 history.
2025: Release and Reception of 'Am I the Drama?'
In 2025, Cardi B's album 'Am I the Drama?' was released to positive reviews, debuting atop the Billboard 200 and achieving significant sales, marking her second number-one album.
January 15, 2026: MOBO Awards Nomination
On January 15, 2026, it was announced that Cardi B was nominated as Best International Act at that year's MOBO Awards.
February 2026: "Am I the Drama?" certified double platinum
By February 2026, Cardi B's album "Am I the Drama?" had been certified double platinum, making it the highest-certified female rap album of the 2020s decade thus far.
2026: Launch of Grow Good Beauty
In 2026, Cardi B launched her debut hair care brand, Grow Good Beauty, following years of sharing homemade hair mask recipes and DIY hair care routines on social media. This venture was considered a natural progression for her, given her transparency about her hair journey and advocacy for hair health within the Afro-Latino community.
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