After nearly seven years, Cardi B is finally releasing her second studio album, Am I the Drama? Which is set to release on September 19.
A Storm Seven Years in the Making
Cardi’s path has not been easy since the release of her Grammy-winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy, back in 2018. Since then, Cardi has released numerous one-off hits such as “WAP,” “Up,” and “Money”; however, we have yet to receive a full project from her.
Cardi B takes her music very seriously, saying in an interview, “If it’s not perfect to my ear… I don’t want to put it out.” Cardi made it clear that she took her time creating this album, working with both Burbank and Jungle City Studios in New York, because she wasn’t willing to settle for anything less than the best.
Fueled by Frustration
“Outside” was the first official single from Am I the Drama? and was released in June following an online leak. After pressure was put on her from both fans and Atlantic Records, Cardi finally agreed to release it.
Cardi has made it clear that there were a number of reasons why the album was delayed; however, her hard work has proven not to be in vain, as the album will be an extensive project with a total of 23 tracks, with rumors of Megan Thee Stallion and SZA being on the album.
Pain and Personal Growth
The vulnerability of this album was the result of personal and professional challenges Cardi has had, including a secret pregnancy with her third child, marital issues with Offset, and constant album delays.
Cardi even spoke to the fact that her most recent hit, “Outside,” was written during a particularly hard time and that she even had to change some of the lyrics to calm her rage.
Is Cardi the Drama?
However, despite her hardship, Am I the Drama? is Cardi’s way of reclaiming her story. Every song is supposed to reveal a different aspect of Cardi that the world loves to call attention to, whether it is her love, loss, rage, or reinvention.
And through this album, Cardi is finally responding and asking herself, is she the drama? And many are eager to see what the answer may be.