Belcalis Almanzar, better known as Cardi B, is not the one-hit wonder most anticipated her to be. Gaining exposure as a popular cast member of VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop,” everyone loved her because she was so authentic. 2017 was Cardi’s year, as she released “Bodak Yellow” after signing with Atlantic Records last February; and the radio could not stop playing it. Cardi B became the first female rapper to top the Billboard Hot 100 in 19 years. If that is not an accomplishment, then I am not sure what is.
In the song “Bodak Yellow,” the rapper opened up about her past as an exotic dancer which she believes is what saved her life. She was able to make a name for herself in the music industry, even though people still had their doubts. As she began to claim fame and secure deals with companies like Fashion Nova, she never changed. Cardi B was consistent before the fame and is still herself now and I think that is what most people love about her. On any given day you can see her posting videos on social media with no makeup with her hair wrapped; discussing something of concern to her.
When most people start to reach celebrity-status, they start to try to keep up an image of who people think they should be now that they have money. Yet, on any given day, however, you can find Almanzar posting a twerk video from her grandma’s living room, and it seems as if she is just a regular woman from the block. In that way, Cardi B’s genuine spirit is an inspiration for women and men all over the world.
Her carefree lifestyle has turned her into a cultural icon. Almanzar has everything she had dreamed of when she first started to get recognition via social media. At the age of 25, she is doing what she never could imagine would be happening at this very moment. Whether you like her or not, one thing everyone can say about Cardi B is that she hasn’t let the fame change who she is.
