Cardi B's Come-Up In 32 Photos

Ever since Cardi B stepped onto the scene on Love and Hip Hop, she’s been making a statement and a place for herself in the rap world. Whether literally with her songs or visually with her one-of-a-kind looks she’s never been afraid to be truly herself — and we love her for that! In honor of Cardi B’s birthday, we put together a detailed timeline of her life – from her humble Bronx beginnings to taking the SNL stage – and her impressive career thus far. Read on!

1. Cardi B was born Belcalis Almanzar on October 11, 1992 in the Bronx, NY.

2. She attended the Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology in the Bronx.

3. Cardi worked at an Amish supermarket until she was fired at 19.

4. She then turned to stripping per a recommendation from her former manager.  She credits it as a positive experience, telling VladTV, “It really saved me from a lot of things. When I started stripping I went back to school.”

5. She attended the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

6. Cardi kept it real all across social media, going viral on Vine and Instagram due, in part, to her no-holds-barred attitude, refusal to shy away from more scandalous and salacious topics, and hilarious delivery. 

7. She quit stripping on her 23rd birthday and released a remix of the Shaggy track “Boom Boom.”

8. Cardi joined the cast of “Love & Hip Hop” in 2015 and almost instantly becomes the franchise’s breakout star.

9. She dropped her first single “Stripper H**” in 2016.

10. Cardi released her first mixtape, Gangsta B*tch Music, Vol. 1, on March 7, 2016.

11. She announced her decision to leave “Love & Hip Hop” in December 2016.

12. Cardi dropped another mixtape called Gangsta B*tch Music, Vol. 2 as the second installment to its predecessor on Jan. 20, 2017.

13. She signed with Atlantic Records in June 2017.

14. In June 2017, she released her first single, “Bodak Yellow” — a play off of Kodak Black’s name, an inverse that she’s included in much of her music (like “Bartier Cardi.”)

15. On Sept. 25, 2017, “Bodak Yellow” makes history: It hits the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, not only dethroning Taylor Swift, but making Cardi B the first solo rapper to score the top spot since Lauryn Hill in 1998.

16. “Bodak Yellow” would go on to be 5x platinum. Dayum.

17. In October 2017, Cardi won five out of her nine BET nominations.

18. In late October, Offset, Cardi’s longtime boyfriend, proposed to her onstage with a jaw-dropping $500,000, 8-carat ring.

19. In November 2017, Cardi gets nominated for two Grammys.

20. In December, Cardi drops her second single, “Bartier Cardi,” with 21 Savage. This one goes platinum, because duh.

21. In early January, footage surfaces of Offset allegedly cheating on Cardi. Cardi replies by acknowledging the situation and that she’s pissed about it, but staying in the relationship.

22. On Jan. 24, 2018, Bruno Mars’ “Finesse (Remix)” features Cardi B. Unsurprisingly, the single was certified 2x platinum and made it into the Top 5 on the BIllboard Hot 100. They later performed the song together at the 2018 Grammys.

23. In February 2018, she sat right next to Anna Wintour during New York Fashion Week.

24. In March 2018, she won Best New Hip-Hop Artist and Best New Artist at our 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards. During her viral acceptance speech, she revealed her album is coming in April.

25. Several weeks later, Cardi revealed her album title, (Invasion of Privacy), the release date (April 6), and the track list over the course of a few weeks.

26. Cardi B made history as the first co-host on “The Tonight Show” on April 9, with Jimmy Fallon.

27. In 2019, Cardi became the first female rapper to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album as a solo artist.

28. Cardi and daughter, Kulture wereVogue's cover stars at the end of 2019.

29. Cardi B released "Please Me", a collaboration with Bruno Mars, which became her seventh top-ten song.

30. In 2020 she become first woman rapper to win Favorite Song in the Hip Hop category at the AMAs twice.

31. In 2020, Cardi B released the track "WAP" with Megan Thee Stallion. The song was critically acclaimed and hailed for its sex positive messages, and it went on to become her fourth number one single. 

32. Cardi announced her second pregnancy in the most Cardi way possible: onstage at the 2021 BET Awards in a full rhinestone jumpsuit, highlighting her baby bump.