Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, is a popular American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for her outspoken personality and provocative lyrics. As with many celebrities, she has been involved in several controversies throughout her career. Some of the notable controversies involving Cardi B include:
1. Criminal Past: Cardi B has openly admitted to her involvement in illegal activities, including drug dealing and gang affiliation, before she gained fame as a rapper. Cardi B has acknowledged that she used to work as a stripper before her music career took off. She has also admitted to having been associated with a street gang during her teenage years. However, it’s essential to note that her past experiences do not necessarily equate to her being involved in illegal activities like drug dealing.
In interviews and on social media, Cardi B has been candid about her life before becoming a famous rapper. She has spoken about the challenges she faced growing up in the Bronx, including poverty and the influence of her neighborhood on her life choices. Her openness about her past has been a part of her appeal to fans, as they appreciate her authenticity and her journey from a challenging background to success in the music industry.
2. Strip Club Altercation: In 2018, Cardi B was involved in an altercation at a strip club in New York City. The incident took place at the Angels Strip Club in the borough of Queens in August of that year. Cardi B was accused of being involved in a brawl at the club, which allegedly stemmed from a dispute with two female bartenders who were rumored to have had some involvement with her husband, Offset, a member of the popular hip-hop group Migos.
According to reports and witness accounts, during the altercation, Cardi B and her entourage were said to have thrown chairs, bottles, and other objects at the bartenders. The two women, named Jade and Baddie Gi, claimed they were injured during the altercation. Jade later accused Cardi B of ordering the attack on her because of a perceived relationship with Offset.
As a result of the incident, Cardi B was arrested and subsequently faced legal consequences. She was charged with multiple counts, including assault and reckless endangerment. In December 2018, she appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Over the course of the legal proceedings, there were developments and negotiations between her legal team and the prosecution.
Eventually, in April 2019, Cardi B agreed to a plea deal that allowed her to avoid jail time. She pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of misdemeanor reckless endangerment. As part of the plea deal, she was ordered to complete community service and also received conditional discharge, meaning that she had to stay out of legal trouble for a specific period to avoid further consequences. The altercation at the strip club and its legal aftermath garnered significant media attention and added to Cardi B’s already high-profile career as a rapper and entertainer.
3. Feud with Nicki Minaj: The feud between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj began brewing in 2017 when both artists started to gain prominence in the hip-hop industry. The rivalry escalated in 2018 and culminated in a physical altercation during a New York Fashion Week event in September 2018. The incident reportedly involved Cardi B throwing a shoe at Nicki Minaj and attempting to confront her. Security quickly intervened, and the situation was diffused.
The feud included numerous heated exchanges on social media, with both artists taking shots at each other through their music, interviews, and online posts. It was widely covered in the media and became a hot topic among fans and within the hip-hop community.
4. Social Media Controversies: Cardi B is known for her active presence on social media platforms, where she often expresses strong opinions and engages in online arguments.
Twitter Feuds: Cardi B has engaged in Twitter feuds with various celebrities, including fellow musicians and politicians. For instance, in 2019, she had a public spat with conservative political commentator Tomi Lahren over immigration issues, where she defended her views with strong language.
Explicit Content: Cardi B is known for not shying away from discussing explicit topics on her social media accounts. She often posts candid and sometimes explicit content related to her personal life and experiences, which has garnered both praise and criticism.
Political Commentary: Cardi B has used her social media platforms to express her political views and advocate for social justice causes. Her outspokenness on issues like racial inequality, police brutality, and the 2020 U.S. presidential election has sparked debates and discussions.
5. Use of Offensive Language: Cardi B has faced backlash for using offensive language and slurs in the past, including homophobic comments on social media.
Homophobic Comments: Cardi B has been criticized for using homophobic language on her social media platforms. In particular, she faced backlash for a tweet from 2018 where she used a derogatory term to refer to another person and made offensive remarks about their sexuality. This led to accusations of insensitivity and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
Apologies and Responses: After facing backlash for her use of offensive language, Cardi B has issued apologies and explanations in some instances. She has stated that her intent was not to harm or discriminate against any particular group and that she has evolved and grown since those incidents. However, not all of her responses have been accepted by her critics, and debates surrounding her past remarks continue.
