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 a highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and media personality. Rising to prominence through social media, she gained initial fame as a reality television star on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York. Her transition to music proved historic, as she became the first female rapper to achieve multiple number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including the record-breaking hit 'Bodak Yellow.' Known for her candid personality, distinctive flow, and unfiltered public persona, she has secured numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Beyond her music, Cardi B has made a significant impact on fashion and pop culture, consistently leveraging her platform to influence social discourse and set trends. Her trajectory from an internet sensation to a global hip-hop icon underscores her status as one of the most successful and recognizable figures in the modern music industry.
1958: Launch of the Hot 100
In 1958, the Billboard Hot 100 chart was officially launched, establishing a historical baseline for measuring song popularity in the United States.
1998: Lauryn Hill Chart History
In 1998, Lauryn Hill made history when her single Doo Wop (That Thing) debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2013: Rise of Social Media Popularity
In 2013, Cardi B started to achieve widespread public attention after several of her videos went viral on social media platforms Vine and Instagram.
November 2015: Musical debut on Shaggy's remix
In November 2015, Cardi B officially launched her musical career by appearing on the remix of Shaggy's single "Boom Boom," collaborating with him and Popcaan.
December 15, 2015: Music video debut with Cheap Ass Weave
On December 15, 2015, Cardi B released her first music video for the song "Cheap Ass Weave," which served as her take on Lady Leshurr's "Queen's Speech 4."
2015: Cardi B joins Love & Hip Hop: New York
In 2015, Cardi B joined the cast of the VH1 reality series Love & Hip Hop: New York for its sixth season, quickly emerging as a breakout star known for her witty one-liners.
March 7, 2016: Release of Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1
Cardi B reached a significant career milestone on March 7, 2016, by releasing her debut full-length mixtape, titled Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1.
September 12, 2016: Release of Underestimated: The Album
On September 12, 2016, the KSR Group officially released the compilation album titled Underestimated: The Album, which featured collaborations between Cardi B and various label artists including HoodCelebrityy, SwiftOnDemand, Cashflow Harlem, and Josh X. This release highlighted Cardi B's role as the label's flagship artist, specifically promoting the single 'What a Girl Likes'.
November 2016: Vibe magazine digital cover appearance
In November 2016, Cardi B was featured as the face of the digital cover for the "Viva" issue of Vibe magazine.
November 2016: Joining the cast of Being Mary Jane
In November 2016, it was publicly announced that Cardi B would be joining the cast of the BET series Being Mary Jane to play the character Mercedes.
December 30, 2016: Cardi B departs from Love & Hip Hop: New York
On December 30, 2016, Cardi B officially announced her departure from Love & Hip Hop: New York after two seasons to focus on establishing her professional music career.
2016: Launch of Music Career
In 2016, Cardi B officially launched her professional music career, marking the beginning of her journey in the industry and leading to the release of her first two mixtapes.
2016: First Endorsement Deal with Romantic Depot
In 2016, Cardi B secured her first major endorsement deal representing Romantic Depot, a prominent New York-based retail chain specializing in lingerie and sexual wellness items. This partnership included a promotional ad campaign that was broadcast across radio and cable television platforms.
January 20, 2017: Release of Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2
On January 20, 2017, Cardi B released her second mixtape titled Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2.
February 2017: Industry Partnerships and Major Label Signing
During February 2017, Cardi B partnered with MAC Cosmetics and Gypsy Sport for New York Fashion Week and officially signed her first major recording contract with Atlantic Records.
February 25, 2017: Performance at The Lox's Filthy America... It's Beautiful Tour
On February 25, 2017, Cardi B served as the opening act for The Lox's Filthy America... It's Beautiful Tour, performing alongside Lil' Kim and Remy Ma.
April 2017: Featured in i-D Video and Release of Red Barz
In April 2017, Cardi B appeared in an i-D video sponsored by Marc Jacobs titled A-Z of Music and released her freestyle song Red Barz.
May 2017: 2017 BET Awards Nominations
In May 2017, Cardi B received nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the 2017 BET Awards and also performed at the official afterparty event.
June 11, 2017: Hot 97 Summer Jam Performance
On June 11, 2017, Cardi B joined Remy Ma and other prominent female rappers on stage at the Hot 97 Summer Jam music festival to perform the song "U.N.I.T.Y." in a celebration of female empowerment.
June 2017: The Fader Cover Reveal
In June 2017, it was announced that Cardi B would be featured on the cover of the July/August 2017 Summer Music issue of The Fader magazine.
June 16, 2017: Commercial Debut of Bodak Yellow
On June 16, 2017, Atlantic Records officially released Cardi B's debut commercial single, Bodak Yellow, through various digital distribution platforms.
August 2017: MoMA PS1 Performance
In August 2017, specifically on August 19, Cardi B delivered a live performance at MoMA PS1 before an audience of 4,000 attendees.
September 25, 2017: Bodak Yellow Hits Number One
On the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated September 25, 2017, Cardi B's single Bodak Yellow reached the number one position, marking a historic achievement for a female rapper.
October 2017: Headlining Powerhouse Music Celebration
During October 2017, Cardi B served as a headline performer at Power 105.1's annual Powerhouse music event held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, appearing alongside artists such as the Weeknd, Migos, and Lil Uzi Vert.
January 3, 2018: Cardi B featured on Finesse remix
On January 3, 2018, Cardi B collaborated on a remix of Bruno Mars' song "Finesse," appearing in its 90s-themed music video. The track saw significant commercial success, reaching the top three on music charts in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
January 18, 2018: Billboard Chart Record
On January 18, 2018, Cardi B achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first female rapper to place five singles in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at the same time.
March 30, 2018: Release of Be Careful
On March 30, 2018, Cardi B released her single "Be Careful," which served as a lead-up to her upcoming studio album release one week later.
2018: Release and Success of Invasion of Privacy
In 2018, Cardi B released her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, which broke streaming records, topped the Billboard 200, and became the highest-certified female rap album of the 21st century, eventually leading to a Grammy win for Best Rap Album.
2018: Time Most Influential Person Recognition
In 2018, Time magazine recognized Cardi B as one of the 100 most influential people in the world due to her significant impact on the music industry and pop culture.
2020: Billboard Woman of the Year
During the year 2020, Cardi B was officially named Billboard's Woman of the Year in recognition of her professional accomplishments and influence within the music industry.
2025: Release of Am I the Drama?
In 2025, Cardi B released her second studio album, Am I the Drama?, which achieved significant commercial success. It made her the first female rapper to have her first two albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200, set records for certification and chart longevity in the 2020s, and featured the popular singles Outside, WAP, and Up.
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