Naleighna Kai's Literary Cafe Magazine NK LCM February 2018 Anniversary Issue | Page 19

Cardi B: From Dance Moves to Money Moves
written by Portia
In 2015, I tuned in to Love & Hip Hop (New York) to see
who the latest cast was and determine whether I would com-
mit to viewing their shenanigans for Season 6. No, I didn’t
watch the entire season, but one “previously unknown” cast
member stood out. Her name was Cardi B. She was loud,
rambunctious, and obnoxious at times. I could only take her
in doses, but I liked that she was usually in the studio acti-
vely trying to work on music (unlike many other “rappers”
and “singers” on the show). I wasn’t sure whether she was
actually talented. Most of her studio scenes that aired were
of her flirting with the producer. So that remained to be seen.
What I also liked was that Cardi seemed honest, was funny
as hell, and had no problem speaking her mind—even if she
was making up words or using them incorrectly.
I peeked in on Season 7 to find that Cardi was still hila-
rious, still trying to find her way in the world, and still spea-
king facts. But there was something different. Cardi spoke
about her crooked teeth in the previous season. When she
returned, Miss Cardi had used some of those checks from
the show to get her teeth fixed and she gave a shout-out to
the dentist in her song. Kudos to her for seeing the big pictu-
re of how image can affect success whether we like it or not.
Fast-forward to 2017. Cardi B did not renew her contract
with Love & Hip Hop because she wanted to focus on ma-
king music. She released a single titled “Bodak Yellow,” and
before the world knew it, Cardi was making history. With
that song along, she:
-became the first Dominican artist to reach the number one
spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
A. Cosby
-held the number one spot for three weeks, tying Taylor Swift
as the longest running female in the top spot for 2017.
-became the first female rapper whose first three singles en-
tered the Hot 100 chart in the top 10 after being featured on
two other songs.
-went triple platinum with “Bodak Yellow.”
The gang member turned supermarket cashier turned
stripper and student turned Instagram star turned reality
TV star turned chart-topping rapper is living proof that
one can beat the odds and reinvent themselves if they are
motivated and believe in themselves.
She owns properties. She’s headlining concerts. She’s
taking care of her family. She’s now engaged. She’s featured
on another hit single with Bruno Mars, and the woman
who was once ridiculed for having a thick accent and her
sometimes incorrect use of the English language is now
featured in a commercial for Amazon’s Alexa. Even her
clothing has become a slight bit more modest and upscale.
Her cosmetics are more refined. When no one else belie-
ved that she would make it, SHE believed it with all of her
heart.
Other young women on LHH New York are still strug-
gling to make it to just one-hundredth of the success this
young woman has attained. Cardi B has even surpassed
the success of some of the seasoned artists on the show.
That, right there, speaks volumes. I hope to see Cardi B
continue to evolve, because I’m ready for her to drop a
book. Cardi B is the prime example of not letting one’s past
define how far one can rise.
NKLC Magazine | 19