Invasion of Privacy

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, popularly known as Cardi B is a very good example of an artiste who took the quickest route to fame and success. As at some 2 years ago when I watched her song “Bodak Yellow” on TV, I didn't know she was set to take the industry by storm, I just knew I was into the song, a great rap song and that was all I thought about her, I didn’t even pay attention to her name. The day I knew she was fast becoming a sensation was at a hangout back in September 2017. I arrived late as a result of a last minute decision about attending alongside the famous Lagos state traffic. It was set to be an overnight hangout it was around 11pm before I got there, upon entering the apartment I found people already looking all tired and bored. I immediately put in on myself to make sure the place was brought back to life by interacting round with everyone, then went to the music player to increase the volume of the music. At first, people were still reluctant to stand up and dance but I pulled up those who wouldn't stand up, by the time the second song came on, the atmosphere was already getting charged up with positive energy. I quickly went off to grab a drink when I heard all of them screaming, I rushed back and found everyone jumping, shouting, dancing as Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" blared out loudly from the speakers. Subconsciously, I found myself joining them, jumping as I sang out the lyrics at the top of my voice, lyrics I didn't even realize that I knew until that moment. Seeing everyone's reactions that day made me realize that CardI B was not just an artiste whose song plays on the TV, she was swiftly becoming the new sensation in town. Following the success of this song, she went on to release her debut studio album in 2018 titled Invasion Of Privacy. With songs like "Bodak Yellow" and "I Like It" which were earlier released as singles, being included on the album, Invasion Of Privacy debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200. Invasion Of Privacy was nominated for Album of the year and Best Rap album of the year and it went on to win the latter at the 61st edition of the Grammy awards while songs from the album also got Grammy Awards nominations. "I Like It" was nominated for Record of the Year, "Be Careful" was nominated for Best Rap Performance while "Bodak Yellow" got nominated for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance in the previous edition which was the 60th edition of the Grammy awards. This album further established Cardi B's success in the music business, especially in rap music as her fans wasted no time in trying to dethrone Nicki Minaj, the Queen of rap at that time. Following her Grammy awards victory, a very big argument ensued on the Internet, twitter especially, about how Cardi B had now earned herself the title "Queen of Rap" due to the fact that she was the first female rapper to ever win Best Rap Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. Nicki Minaj's fans would not have any of that and this triggered a huge brawl on the Internet. At first, I was pro Cardi B about the argument because Nicki Minaj has never won a Grammy Award, then I went back to when Nicki was in her prime and I saw the heavyweights rappers that she went up toe to toe against, I had a change of mind as to who the real "Queen of rap" really is. I'm not trying to discredit Cardi B's success at the Grammy Awards at all but if we were to compare whom they both were up against in their prime, it would only be fair to agree that Nicki Minaj is the "Queen of Rap". Due to these arguments, many people including fans and fellow artistes came out questioning how Cardi B had managed to win the award especially in that category that she had won it. Cardi B in her usual manner would not take all the discredit and criticisms sitting down. She took to her social media pages to talk about how much effort she put into making the album and about how the award was well deserved. Well deserved or not, history would always remember her as the first female rapper to ever win in that category and she did that with her debut album, sensational.

Over the last few years Hip Hop has seen a huge divide between the younger generation and Hip Hop veterans. With the emergence of artists like Lil Yachty, Migos, and Lil Uzi Vert to name a few, older artists that saw the height of their fame over a decade ago, felt it necessary to unfairly judge their younger artists for their style of Hip Hop. During the time, I must admit I was mostly siding on the side of the vets. I grew up on many of these artists and I grew to learn to appreciate Hip Hop in a different way. As time has passed, I still have an affinity for a certain type of rap. However, I have been able to see the value that many of these newer acts bring to the table, not only musically, but to the culture as a whole. Traditionally speaking, when it comes to rap, I enjoy, those that can truly craft verses that display their skill and intelligence. What I view as most important is the way they can put words together. Oh, and most importantly, they MUST write their own raps. Today, the current generation, doesn’t value that in the same way. We’ve seen Drake be able to move forward without missing a step after the leaks of his reference records. In addition, numerous rumors and reports have surface that perhaps, the biggest female artist in Hip Hop right now also doesn’t write the majority of her own music, Cardi B. While I know this is the case, I can still appreciate her for what she is and what she brings to the culture. Normally, I’m hesitant to embrace these types of artist that are more displayed as products and not artists at all, but when her debut album Invasion of Privacy released, I couldn’t help but rush to listen and I’m glad I did.