Cardi B is a renowned American rapper, producer, reality TV star, activist, and entrepreneur, with an impressive net worth of $80 million. Her wealth includes around $50 million for her music catalog rights, which could see a substantial increase over time. Cardi B’s fame blossomed through social media platforms, where she initially gained recognition as a Vine and Instagram personality.
Early Years and Background
Born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar on October 11, 1992, in Manhattan, Cardi was raised in The Bronx, New York City. Her heritage is Dominican and Trinidadian, and she has seven siblings, with her sister Hennessy Carolina being the most well-known. Cardi attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology before beginning her career as a stripper at the age of 19. She credits stripping for giving her the financial independence that allowed her to return to school. After briefly attending Borough of Manhattan Community College, Cardi dropped out to focus on her career.
The Birth of ‘Cardi B’
Cardi B’s stage name was inspired by Bacardi, a rum brand she was fond of and a nickname she had in her earlier years. In 2013, Cardi’s rise to social media stardom began with viral videos on Vine and Instagram. Her bold personality and frank commentary on life caught the attention of millions. This laid the foundation for her transition into mainstream entertainment.
Cardi joined the cast of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: New York in 2015. She debuted in season six of the show and quickly became a fan favorite. Jezebel referred to her as the breakout star of that season. After two seasons, Cardi left the show in 2016 to concentrate on her growing music career. Her decision to depart marked a pivotal moment as she focused on making music rather than reality TV stardom.
Music Breakthrough
Cardi B’s debut into the music industry came in November 2015 when she featured on Shaggy’s remix of “Boom Boom,” alongside Popcaan. Her first music video dropped later that year in December for her track “Cheap Ass Weave,” a remix of Lady Leshurr’s “Queen’s Speech 4.” Cardi continued to make strides with the release of her mixtape Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 in March 2016. She also made appearances on talk shows like Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne and Kocktails with Khloe.
The real breakthrough came in 2017 when Cardi signed with Atlantic Records. That year, she released her second mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2. Cardi was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards, though she didn’t win. She gained even more attention in February 2017 when she released her debut commercial single “Bodak Yellow,” which skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making Cardi B the first female rapper to have a solo number-one hit since Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998. The single was certified septuple platinum by the RIAA.
“Invasion of Privacy” and Continued Success
Cardi B’s debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, was released in April 2018. The album received critical acclaim, debuted at number one in the U.S., and made history with Cardi being the first female artist to have 13 songs from one album chart simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100. Invasion of Privacy went double platinum and was named the best album of the year by Time and Rolling Stone. Time also included Cardi on its list of the 100 most influential people.
Cardi B’s success continued with notable collaborations like “No Limit” with G-Eazy and ASAP Rocky, “MotorSport” with Migos and Nicki Minaj, and “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5. She also teamed up with DJ Snake for “Taki Taki” and collaborated with GloRilla on “Tomorrow 2.” Cardi’s work with various artists has made her a constant presence in the music scene.
Private Performances and Film Appearances
In December 2022, Cardi earned $1 million for a 35-minute private performance at the Miami Art Basel. She also made her film debut in 2019’s Hustlers, which was critically acclaimed. Cardi appeared in F9 in 2020 and joined the Netflix talent search show Rhythm + Flow as a judge. In 2020, she also premiered a web series called Cardi Tries, which aired for three seasons on Facebook Messenger.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
Cardi B’s first major endorsement came in 2016 with New York-based lingerie brand Romantic Depot. Since then, she has partnered with major brands like MAC Cosmetics, Reebok, Pepsi, and Fashion Nova. In 2022, Cardi became the creative director for Playboy magazine. She and her husband, Offset, also teamed up with McDonald’s in 2023 to launch the Cardi B and Offset meal on Valentine’s Day.
Cardi B’s personal life has been highly publicized. In 2017, she began dating rapper Offset from Migos, and they became engaged in October of that year. Despite facing ups and downs, including separations and reconciliations, the couple married in secret in September 2017. They welcomed their first child in July 2018, a daughter, and their second, a boy, in September 2021. However, in December 2023, Cardi confirmed via social media that they were no longer together, and in August 2024, it was revealed that Cardi had filed for divorce.
Cardi B has also made notable charitable contributions. In September 2022, she donated $100,000 to her former elementary school in the Bronx, demonstrating her commitment to giving back to her community.
Real Estate Investments
Cardi and Offset made significant real estate investments, purchasing a mansion in Buckhead, Atlanta, in December 2019 for $5.5 million. The property was originally listed at $10 million in 2017. The mansion, which is set in a picturesque location, showcases their taste for luxury living.
Cardi B’s financial journey has been a remarkable one. She first appeared on Celebrity Net Worth in January 2016 with an estimated worth of $400,000. By February 2017, her net worth had risen to $1.5 million and continued to grow. In 2018, it increased to $8 million, and by 2019, it reached $12 million. After earning a reported $28 million between October 2018 and October 2019, her net worth jumped to $22 million. By the end of 2021, Cardi’s net worth had surged to $40 million, and by mid-2024, it had doubled to $80 million.
Through hard work, relentless determination, and strategic moves in music, entertainment, and business, Cardi B’s financial success mirrors her explosive rise to stardom. She has solidified herself as not only one of the most successful female rappers but also a savvy entrepreneur and a pop culture icon.
