Cardi B’s debut album “Invasion of Privacy” has garnered a lot of hype in the past few weeks, and I think it’s clear why. Cardi begins with an unapologetic, heartfelt defense of her life choices which have been placed under scrutiny ever since Bodak Yellow came out in 2017, giving meaning to the album name “Invasion of Privacy.”
Cardi continues with 12 more songs full of enticing beats and meaningful lyrics about her newfound success. “Bickenhead” and “Money Bag” focus on her being cheated on by Offset. “Be Careful” and “Thru Your Phone” invites the listener to have fun being a bad bitch and prove people wrong.
The album has no shortage of big features including Chance the Rapper, Kehlani, Migos, YG, 21 Savage and SZA. My personal favorites are “Be Careful,” “I Like it” ft. Bad Bunny and J Balvin, “Ring” ft. Kehlani and “I Do” ft. SZA, but the whole album goes hard both lyrically and sonically.
“Be Careful” acknowledges the pain and anger that Cardi experienced after Offset’s infidelity with empowering lyrics and a beat that makes me dance everytime. “I Like It” is a tribute to Cardi’s Afro-Latinx roots and is a banger for sure. I don’t know what the Spanish lyrics mean, but I do know that I am supposed to have a good time when I hear this song.
“Ring” ft. Kehlani encompasses the uncertainty that arises when someone switches up and leaves you on read—a common issue that makes the song relatable in today’s world. Kehlani’s voice brings the whole song together and makes for a classic summertime bop. Lastly, “I Do” ft SZA is an iconic bad bitch anthem all about empowering women to do what they want regardless of what anyone thinks.
“Invasion of Privacy” is an album that’ll put you in your feels, make you dance, make you laugh and make you wanna fight your man all in the span of 48 minutes. When Cardi B says “this one’s for all my nasty hoes,” she wasn’t kidding.
In the short span of one year, Cardi B has become a trailblazer in the industry and a role model for female rappers everywhere. She has shattered multiple records since 2017, the most notable being that she is the first female rapper to go No. 1 in almost 20 years without a feature credited artist. Cardi has made a space for herself in the rap industry and based off of this performance, she isn’t going anywhere but up.
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