Dead opens the project with a Tupac-like feel — gritty, defiant, and full of spirit. It’s the news reporter reporting that is reminiscent of the late greats art, it brings you straight to the Intro On Makavelli “Bomb First”. From there to Imaginary Players Cardi has seamless cultivated that vintage hip-hop sound and timeless atmosphere, delivering an aggressive, raw energy that feels authentically “hip-hop.” What stands out immediately is that Cardi brings unfiltered intensity to every track; even the more pop-leaning songs carry a high-energy hip-hop core. Her aggression and audacity translate perfectly — she comes across hard, unapologetic, and undeniable. She’s a rap chick for real, at its core, is the message of this album 5 songs in.
What separates Cardi B from other rappers, especially her female contemporaries, is her authentic personality. Cardi has a real-life character that fully translates into her music. This is most apparent on tracks like Bodega Baddie. Many rappers get so caught up in technical perfection that they forget music is ultimately art meant to communicate with people, to uplift rather than merely impress. Cardi never loses sight of that. She’s fun, bold, and human. Even her feature selections reflect her personality. For instance, choosing Tyla for Nice Guy wasn’t just a feature choice; it revealed Cardi’s ability to build collaborations that resonate with who she is and what the album represents.
For years now, Cardi has been the hardest female rapper in the game, killing feature after feature. Cardi killed all her features from Kay Flock to Glorilla to Latto and Fendi the rapper. Thankfully, that same hardness translated seamlessly into this project. In many ways, the album feels similar to GNX, functioning as both an energy transaction and a statement of dominance.
That said, not every song lands with the same level of authenticity. A track like Salute, for example, doesn’t feel entirely natural to her style. Still, its inclusion makes sense, it connects directly to her audience, especially the female listeners. Safe builds on this by weaving a breakup and rebirth narrative that threads throughout the project, adding dimension to Cardi’s voice.
The standout moment, however, is undeniably Man of My Word. This is the album’s anchor — a simple but incredibly powerful record where Cardi allows herself to be vulnerable, directly addressing what needed to be said. The track grounds the album in street reality, raw humanity, and emotional truth. The male vocalist’s crisp and clear performance adds weight, while Cardi’s second verse strikes as deeply emotional and provocative. If Offset didn’t feel the sting of this one, he isn’t human. The funeral theme of a failed relationship continues with What’s Goin’ On, her crow imagery and aesthetics expand the album’s layered meaning. Summer Walker’s vocal contributions in two songs elevate the project further — she shines beautifully and fits perfectly within the fated, doomed-ghetto-romance theme running through the album. Both Outside and Imaginary Playerz sit seamlessly in the tracklist, flowing with an almost hater-proof presence within the body of work.
Then there’s Pretty & Petty, undeniably hard. Bia was obliterated on this track, she is dead; Cardi walked her down over a cold, menacing beat with the kind of energy reminiscent of peak Kendrick Lamar at war.
On Better Than You, Cardi delivers perhaps the hardest sequence of bars on the whole album:
“Daddy take me to Aspen, I want to twerk in the cabin,
Pretty hoes do what they want, hoe that’s the law of attraction.”
It’s audacious, sharp, and unforgettable.
On My Back follows, bringing sultry, sexual energy. Lourdiz’s hook drips with raw sensuality, while Cardi’s second verse elevates the heat. Offset’s frustration can be imagined through this track, and the tension of Cardi’s new man “being up” only sharpens the edges.
Then the project pivots into pure trap energy with ErrTime. If she puts the Snowman and Trap God on a remix, it will deliver a rebirth moment so powerful Atlanta won’t recover any time soon. This track hits hard! undeniably one of the album’s most aggressive tunes.
The momentum continues on Check Please, Principal, Trophies, and Nice Guy, these are tracks that balance feel-good vibes with “pop your shit” confidence. Tyla shines on Nice Guy, gliding effortlessly over a London on Da Track beat, and the result is one of the album’s most enjoyable highlights.
Killin You Hoes is blunt, cold, and relentless. It’s Cardi at her most stripped-down and vicious. The energy recalls New York’s Mobb Deep “I’m going out” or an old, focused 50 Cent — gritty, raw, and unapologetic. As the outro, it mirrors Dead intro beautifully, closing the album in a cyclical way that reinforces its message.
And then there’s the nostalgic inclusion: WAP and Up sound completely brand new in the context of this project. Their inclusion proves Cardi’s ability to infuse her biggest hits with fresh new energy.
Final Thoughts
This album is more than just a collection of songs — it’s an energy transaction and a declaration of dominance. Cardi balances raw aggression, street vulnerability, and playful fun, showing that she’s not only hard but also human. Her personality shines through every track, making her stand apart from the rest. Vulnerability, dominance, humour, and sex all find a place here, threaded together with narrative of authentic experiential life.
Cardi B has proven once again: she’s not just a female rapper, she’s a cohesive album maker, an iconic hiphop matriarch and she is here to stay.
8.5 out of 10.
Review: Cardi B – Am I The Drama
Rating: 8.5/10
By Kwasi Addo
