Cardi B: Seven Years in the Making—Did the Long Wait Justify the End Result?

Coming some seven years after her Grammy-winning debut album, needless to say, it’s been more than a long wait for Cardi B’s sophomore effort. Amid the social media frenzy surrounding her personal life, many fans have grown increasingly critical of the lack of new music, particularly after such a groundbreaking rookie effort. While I can’t assert with confidence that this album has been worth the wait, it features enough good moments that it will likely satisfy her core fanbase, though it is unlikely to win over new fans.

The first quarter of the album provides a solid listen, kicking off with “Dead” featuring Summer Walker, with Cardi coming out of the gate addressing haters and critics. The following tracks continue in that vein until we reach “Bodega Baddie,” which not only feels out of place but also highlights the decline of the drill style. It feels like one of those tracks that was recorded in 2019 and should have been left on the cutting room floor. Basura. This leads me to one of my major criticisms of the project: there are times when it feels like Cardi is trying to appeal to too many audiences, such as with her very Detroit-sounding “Pretty & Petty,” which simply doesn’t fit her rap style. Her best moments come on the trap-heavy beats, which I believe she should stick to more. However, despite those awkward moments, the times when she adheres to her usual formula keep the project palatable for the casual listener.

The production is solid, and while there aren’t many features, those that are present fit well and provide relevancy to the tracks. The exception being the Janet Jackson “featured” track “Principal.” While I was initially shocked and excited to see the legendary Janet featured, given her usual reclusiveness these days, it turned out to be just a cleared sample. This dampens what is otherwise a very solid song. Also, while it may have been a label/management decision, the inclusion of tracks that are several years old, such as “WAP” and “Up,” reeks of deceptive practices in terms of playing the sales game and seems in poor taste. While it doesn’t detract from the listening experience, I would be remiss not to mention it. Additionally, at 23 tracks, the project does drag a bit, especially given the limited context (with tons of Offset subliminals and simple braggadocious lines). The album could have been much better if it had been curated a bit more.

Overall, despite a few head-scratching moments and some fatigue from listening to the entire project in one sitting, I can say that the good moments elevate this album enough that it’s worth a listen. While there aren’t many moments of growth after the long hiatus, I also didn’t detect any “ring rust” either. When Cardi gets into her comfort zone, she can hang with the majority of female spitters. Hopefully, if we see another effort soon, she leans more into her strengths without the distractions.

Standout Tracks: “Dead” “Pick it Up” “Salute” “Safe” “Trophies”

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑 (6.5/10)