For so long as she’s been round, Cardi B has needed to battle the notion that whereas she is a licensed hit maker, she hasn’t at all times been the very best straight-up rapper. Whereas that narrative is normally pushed by out-of-touch outdated dudes who largely appear to resent {that a} girl could possibly be so profitable in what’s seen as a male-dominated style, it has sadly been one thing of a smudge on an in any other case pristine profession.
Cardi B’s new single, “Imaginary Playerz,” ought to lastly put that narrative to mattress — with a horse head on the pillow.
It’s obtained a bunch of the aesthetic issues that outdated heads hear for subconsciously earlier than giving new artists an opportunity. It attracts on hip-hop historical past, borrowing a beat, flows, and conceptual vibes from a 1997 Jay-Z deep minimize (“Imaginary Participant” from In My Lifetime, Vol. 1), whereas updating them with new slang, terminology, and traits. It’s obtained an opulent video during which Cardi jumps on personal planes and big yachts rocking couture. And, most significantly, it’s obtained Cardi rapping her not too long ago rejuvenated ass off.
Cardi’s signature raunchy humor shines by means of, however her wordplay has elevated. “My flop and your flop just isn’t the identical / In case you did my numbers, y’all would pop champagne / If I did your numbers, I’d hop out a airplane.” Yeesh.
“Imaginary Playerz” is the fourth single from Cardi’s upcoming sophomore album, Am I The Drama?, following “Outdoors,” and retroactively, “WAP” and “Up.”
