The beef between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj is officially back on. Cardi B is answering the question to her own upcoming album, “Am I The Drama?” by dropping a new song that has fans convinced she’s shading Nicki Minaj.
Cardi B recently delivered a second serving of her Am I the Drama? album with the Jay-Z-sampling “Imaginary Playerz.” The song’s title alone has fans talking, as it’s a remake of Jay-Z’s 1997 track that famously mocked “imaginary” players in the game. But that’s not the only thing that has fans in a frenzy.
Sampling Jay-Z’s 1997 classic “Imaginary Players”, Cardi turned the track into a flashy declaration of dominance, delivering bars about her status, her influence, and her luxury lifestyle. The song was released alongside a music video that she co-directed with her longtime friend, Patientce Foster. In it, Cardi struts across a private jet runway dripping in jewels and couture, showing fans why she’s long claimed her crown as “The Brimcess.”
Cardi B also drops a curious line on the 2nd verse of the track: “Now you’re 15 up, you already out of time / I’m a legend, they gon’ hang my heels from the power lines.” This line has fans speculating that it’s a direct jab at Nicki Minaj, with whom Cardi has had several clashes over the years.
The shade accusations only grew louder because Cardi’s delivery reminded many listeners of Lil Kim’s flow, a rapper who famously feuded with Nicki back in the day. Coincidence? The timeline doesn’t think so.
Adding fuel to the fire, Nicki has been extra vocal about Roc Nation and Jay-Z-related projects recently, dragging anything connected to Hov’s empire. So when Cardi cleared a Jay-Z sample and used it to flex, social media instantly lit up with comparisons, arguments, and memes.
Still, plenty of fans are here for it. The song is already being praised as one of Cardi’s most lyrically sharp releases, with her slower, more confident delivery showcasing a different side of her artistry. “The first rap b*tch on the cover of Vogue!!!” she boasts on the track, reminding everyone of her historic moment.
But not everybody’s convinced. Critics argue she’s leaning too heavily on other people’s flows and accuse her of “biting.” Others feel the track, while flashy, doesn’t hit with the same energy as her older hits.
With her sophomore album, ‘Am I The Drama?,’ dropping next month, Cardi B has officially set the tone.
