Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, aka Cardi B., may only be 26, but she’s accomplished more than some people do their whole careers.
Since skyrocketing to fame in 2017, she’s earned three number-one singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In 2018, she won a Grammy for Best Rap Album, and she was included in Time magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
But, Cardi B. isn’t just known for dropping beats, she’s also known for dropping wisdom. The rapper has made many statements about politics, feminism and work ethic that can apply to any woman, of any age, in any job.
Just for fun, we pulled a few of our faves:
It’s Cool to be Politically Involved
“Like, our country is in a hellhole right now. All for a f—-ing wall. And we really need to take this serious. I feel like we need to take some action … This is crazy, and I really feel bad for these people that gotta go to f—-ing work to not get motherf—-ing paid.”
Clearly, the rapper isn’t afraid to use her platform to comment on our political climate. During the recent federal government shutdown, she called for her fans to be aware of how dire the situation is and to take action against problematic policies.
She’s both well informed and not afraid to speak out, qualities from which every woman can benefit.
The Future is Female
“Being a feminist is real simple; it’s that a woman can do things the same as a man. Anything a man can do, I can do. I can finesse, I can hustle. We have the same freedom. I was top of the charts. I’m a woman, and I did that. I do feel equal to a man.”
Cardi B. isn’t shy about her feminism. In the male-dominated rap world, she’s not afraid to express her power and demand the respect she deserves. She’s also made comments encouraging women to support each other regardless of lifestyle differences. Cardi B. understands the power in a united front when it comes to women’s rights.
Hard Work is Key
“Having a number one song makes me happy — but working for it makes me really happy.”
“This is my work ethic: I do not want to raise my future kids where I was raised, and I know the only way to do it is working, working, working, working, working.”
Although she’s been catapulted into the spotlight, Cardi B. isn’t just in it for the fame. She’s often spoken about how the creative process of making music is important to her. Having grown up in the Bronx and fought for opportunities, she wants to work hard to make a better life for her future family. That’s a down-to-earth goal most of us can relate to.
Budget, Budget, Baby
“I have a passion for music, I love music. But, I also have a passion for money and paying my bills.”
“I’m gonna be on a budget until the day I die.”
As if keeping her priorities straight in the spotlight wasn’t practical enough, Cardi B. knows how to keep track of her finances. She’s often commented on how she buys her clothes from accessible stores like Fashion Nova and how she feels guilty buying expensive things even though she has the money.
Like many people, she knows what it’s like to struggle financially, so she’s keeping her head on straight, even while she’s flush.
Be True to Yourself
“People want me to be so full of shame that I used to dance. I would never be ashamed of it. I made a lot of money. I had a good time, and it showed me a lot.”
Cardi B. famously began her professional life as a stripper, and she’s received a lot of flack for it in the media. But, like a true feminist, she owns her past and stands by her choices. She’s said that she began stripping to escape poverty and domestic violence and that it encouraged her to pursue larger goals.