Every Time Cardi B Has Teased A New Album (And Kept Fans Patiently Waiting) 

Cardi B’s debut album, “Invasion of Privacy,” has resonated with her fans years after its release. The album debuted on April 6th, 2018, featuring some of her biggest bangers, such as the infectious “Bodak Yellow” and “I Like It.” The album won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2019, making it the first solo female rapper to prevail in this category. While Cardi has released a string of successful singles following “Invasion of Privacy,” such as “Press” and “Up,” it has been six long years, and sadly, Bardi Gang is still waiting on Cardi’s sophomore body of work. She has frequently mentioned that the album is close to completion. However, echoing the sentiments of Sunshine Anderson, it feels like a case of déjà vu, as we’ve heard it all before. 

2019

The year after “Invasion of Privacy” shot Cardi to superstardom, she promised an album was on the way. On New Year’s Day 2019, the Bronx rapper told her fans on Instagram Live, “Of course, there’s going to be an album in 2019.” At that time, Cardi shared that she hoped to debut the project around the anniversary of “Invasion of Privacy” but admitted that given her busy schedule, that might not happen. Just as she predicted, the highly anticipated album did not drop around April of that year or any other month in 2019.

Y’all looking forward to a new album from CardiB? 🤔 @iamcardib pic.twitter.com/DBBEoPukG5

— WORLDSTARHIPHOP (@WORLDSTAR) January 1, 2019

2020

Cardi once again maintained that an album was on the way. She spoke with Baller Alert in February 2020, claiming that she was adding a few more club records to the album before releasing it. However, by Summer, the project was still MIA. 

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In June 2020, while on Twitter, Cardi told several fans that new music was coming. Many assumed this to be an album since it had not come out as planned. However, fans would soon be hit with another mega-hit from Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion two months later when “WAP” arrived in August 2020. While not an album, the single shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 became 7x platinum. 

Why you more thirsty about my music then my fans ?You must be the biggest fan cause you the first comment on this post …..The music coming sweety ♥️ https://t.co/D86GUx9Feq

— Cardi B (@iamcardib) June 16, 2020

It’s comin .Its going to hit too!!! https://t.co/j4LcflKph8

— Cardi B (@iamcardib) June 16, 2020

Shortly after “WAP” hit the airways, Cardi told podcast Zach Sang that she would not release her album until the pandemic ended. She explained that she preferred to release it once it was safe to tour, which made sense then. 

2021

Cardi B opened up about the hold-up for her album during a February 2021 chat with Zane Lowe. She confessed, “I really wanted to put out an album in 2020, but I feel like I don’t have the right songs. I recorded so many songs. I think I got, like, 50 songs recorded. If I’m not satisfied, I’m just not satisfied.”

Later that year, she and her husband, Offset, welcomed their second child, Wave Set, in September 2021. This naturally pulled her focus away from the new album once again. However, in December 2021, she once again declared her desire to release the LP the following year, though we now know that never materialized. 

2022

The most promising talks of an album arrived in November 2022 when Cardi signed a lucrative management deal with Full Stop, which has helped the careers of Lizzo and Travis Scott, to name a few. With the new partnership, Billboard announced that her album release date was in early 2023. 

2023

Finally, in September 2023, Cardi B announced that her album would be coming shortly after the arrival of “Bongos,” her second collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion. While promoting the single on DJ Whoo Kid’s “Whoo’s House” podcast, Cardi disclosed that she indeed had a release date in mind, though she told him, “I’m keeping it under wraps.” This update sent fans rejoicing, as it finally signaled an end to their longing for a Cardi project. 

2024

Now, in 2024, Bardi Gang has yet to enjoy a new Cardi album. While the album plans haven’t been made public, Cardi did preview some new music during her New Year’s Eve performance in Miami. Her husband, Offset, offered some promising news during a February 21st IG Live session, where he can be heard playing new Cardi records while encouraging her to give the fans what they’ve been waiting for.

Offset via his Instagram story👀:

“Stop being scary and drop the album sh*t goes crazy 🔥🔥🔥🔥 @iamcardib”
pic.twitter.com/lD24WG8EMu

— Cardi B Updates (@BardiGangUpdate) February 20, 2024

Now, with her latest single, “Like What,” freestyle, hopes of an album have once again been reignited. 

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