Cardi B

Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar on October 11, 1992, is an American rapper and songwriter from New York City who has become one of the most influential figures in modern hip-hop. Known for her unfiltered personality and aggressive, rhythmic flow, she transitioned from a social media sensation to a reality television star before establishing herself as a dominant force in the music industry.

Raised in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, Cardi B initially gained a massive following on platforms like Vine and Instagram. Her digital popularity led to a role on the VH1 reality series Love & Hip Hop: New York in 2015. While appearing on the show, she pivoted toward a professional music career, releasing her debut mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1, in 2016, followed by Vol. 2 in 2017. Her success as an independent artist eventually led to a major label contract with Atlantic Records.