Cardi B Biography

The American hip hop artist known as Cardi B was born Belcalis Almanzar in 1992 in New York City. Young Cardi grew up in the South Bronx area, where she attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology in pursuit of an education in the entertainment industry. After graduation, instead of seeking a career in the music industry right away, she first turned to exotic dancing to strengthen her financial situation and empower her to leave an abusive relationship.

As an exotic dancer, Cardi B established a strong Internet following through her Instagram account. The social media forum proved a powerful force for her career; within a few years, Cardi B been offered a role as a regular cast member on the VH1 series Love & Hip Hop: New York. The opportunity became Cardi B’s big breakthrough; during her time on the show, she released her first mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1, and her collaborations with notable performers such as Shaggy, Cashflow Harlem, and Josh X brought her further recognition. Eventually, her status as a cast member favorite coupled with her talents as a performer landed her a major record deal with Atlantic Records in 2017.

In June of 2017, Atlantic Records released Cardi B’s major label debut single, “Bodak Yellow,” and the song became the “rap anthem of the summer,” according to notable publications such as The New York Times. Rising all the way to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song earned Cardi B two BET Award nominations—for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip Hop Artist—and multiple BET Hip Hop Award nominations, with wins for Best New Hip-Hop Artist and Hustler of the Year.

Cardi B is a brand new artist on the rise and definitely one to watch in the coming years. In addition to her single, “Bodak Yellow,” Cardi Bi also recently appeared on G-Eazy’s top ten hit, “No Limit.” Her eagerly anticipated debut album is currently scheduled for release in early 2018.