Cardi B dominated the opening night of her Little Miss Drama Tour with a metallic flying throne entrance that immediately set social media buzzing and reminded fans why her live performances remain must-see events.
The Grammy-winning rapper launched the arena run Wednesday night, Feb. 11, at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, performing for a sold-out crowd of more than 11,000 fans.
In support of her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, Cardi stacked the setlist with fan favorites from Invasion of Privacy alongside new standouts from the latest project. But it was her opening moment that left jaws on the floor.
Suspended high above the arena, Cardi entered, seated inside a massive metallic circular frame fitted with detailed silver wings stretching out on either side. Dressed in a reflective chrome-like bodysuit and matching thigh-high boots, she leaned fully into the futuristic aesthetic of the apparatus. The dramatic lighting bounced off her silver ensemble, amplifying the illusion that she was floating over the crowd. Holding a microphone in her right hand, she smiled broadly as she looked down at the audience, commanding the room before she even touched the stage.
The visual blended high-fashion glamour with theatrical stage design, giving the performance an angelic yet modern edge. The entrance alone signaled that this tour would be more than a standard concert. It was a full-scale production.
Cardi, born Belcalis Almánzar, wasted no time addressing the crowd’s energy. Confident and celebratory, she reminded fans that she expected nothing less than a packed arena.
“They thought I wasn’t gonna be sold out. What? Y’all was ready for my tour?!” she shouted. “Let me hear Palm Springs right quick. This is the first crowd! First crowd, and it’s sold out! Bardi f*ing gang, mothaf**r.”
The triumphant tone carried through much of the night as she delivered hits that solidified her place in hip-hop. Later, she shifted gears for a more intimate exchange with fans. In a quieter moment onstage, she addressed the crowd directly.
“I do not want to get emotional,” she said, as rumors have circulated in recent days about a possible split from NFL player Stefon Diggs after a year of dating. The pair welcomed a son together in November.
“I just want to tell you, don’t let nobody take your happiness away from you,” she added before performing “Girls Like You,” her collaboration with Maroon 5.
