Cardi B's Newest Album, "Am I The Drama?" is for Fashionistas with an Edge — Equal Parts Glam and Grit.

Image sourced from Billboard, taken by Brian Ziff

Cardi B released her highly anticipated second studio album on September 19, and the reaction to it has been explosive. This is mainly because Cardi B doesn't hold back, dissing many other female rappers, along with her ex-husband Offset, throughout the twenty-three tracks.

Cardi B has been known not to be shy of confrontation or 'beef' on social media, and that is precisely the underlying theme of this album. She wants to make it known that she is about it anytime and anywhere. However, instead of using the typical lyrical daggers when dissing someone, Cardi B decides to critique the other girls' fashion.

Her third track, “Magnet” – coincidentally third on Apple Music's top 100 most played songs in the US, as of October 3 –  is a perfect example of how she perfectly mixes a lethal diss track that anyone in the fashion sphere can appreciate.  

The intro of “Magnet” starts with gunshot sounds and a bass that could make the ground shake. Cardi B's even more aggressive lyrics aren't overshadowed by lyrically gunning down her haters and proving why they can't do it like her.

With lyrics like "Ricky O the only fashion house you know - a*s b*tch, you should of asked me I would've took you to the show, lil b*tch." Cardi B using mainly fashion references to trash-talk her 'opps' is one for the books in hip hop. She is proving not only how respected she is, but also how extensive her knowledge of the fashion industry is.

Speaking of fashion knowledge, Cardi B's fifth track, "Imaginary Playerz," isn't aimed at anyone specific, but if anyone feels it's towards them, then she wants all the smoke. She uses a slower yet still prominent beat, along with slowing her rap style so the listener can hear her every word. 

Starting the song with "You b*tches don’t even know the difference between vintage and archive." Cardi B is making it clear that this album is for the most confident people who know there's no doubt; everyone knows how good they look, from head to toe. 

She then follows it up with "I copped more diamonds and more archive, vintage couture on me, I got more Gaultier than Jean probably." 

The most memorable lyric out of this track is when Card B exclaims, "Striped like Thom Browne, these b*tches should calm down." Seeming to take a hit at Nicki Minaj, who wore a striped Thom Brown dress to this year's Met Gala. 

It is refreshing not to hear a non-straightforward you're ugly, you have no money, or street cred when calling out people you do not like in a line. Cardi B reimagined the way she insulted her 'opps' in her album. In a way that would really hit female rappers where it hurts, showcasing the importance of fashion to women. 

Cardi B ends "Imaginary Playerz," with one last blow. Stating, "Fixin’ your mouth to talk fashion with me, I'm the one who showed these girls what fashion could be, The first rap b*tch on the cover of Vogue." Cardi B is taking a moment to flex on everyone, with her feature in one of the most prestigious fashion magazines, a notable achievement for any fashion lover. In that line she is lyrically cutting deep and twisting the knife to those who haven’t reached her level.

Out of the 23 tracks on Cardi B’s ‘Am I the Drama?’, thirteen of the songs have fashion references. On top of that, she created 17 different album covers across her vinyl and CD releases, featuring uniquely fashionable looks. 

If you are fashion-obsessed, love hard beats, have a tongue sharp like a blade and love how these aspects mesh together, then this album may be for you. It is undeniable that Cardi B goes off and doesn't spare a soul like we haven’t seen in the Hip Hop industry since Kendrick Lamar v. Drake. 

 Cardi B proves that there are still ways to generate a new style of music and how important it is to be true to oneself. There aren't many artists who make rap solely about their drama with a fashion twist, and she still decided to release it. 

The album is now a certified hit. According to Variety, "The 24-track project racked up 146 million official streams in its first week and sold 88,000 units." Cardi B has also announced a tour set to start in early 2026, visiting seventeen states across the US. It will be exciting to see how her fans dress for the shows, as the true fashionistas will undoubtedly stand out.

Let us know what you think of Cardi B's new album in the comments below!