Cardi B unveiled her debut album’s name and release date on her social accounts Monday night (March 26) to much fanfare. After doling out several singles and guest features since bounding onto the scene with her now-mega hit “Bodak Yellow,” anticipation for Cardi’s major-label debut hit an all-time high and continued to mount with each subsequent release — or at least, every time Cardi indicated that the album would arrive “soon.”
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Cardi previously admitted the pressure to deliver a strong debut was overwhelming and pushed her initial October album release date back multiple times. But with the success of her follow-up single “Bartier Cardi” and star-studded collaborations, Bardi is finally ready to make her official mark on music.
Billboard sifted through the internet to find out everything there is to know (so far) about Cardi B’s new album.
Album Name
Cardi B fans were in for a big surprise Monday night when the rapper announced her album name and artwork. In the glossy photo, Cardi sported a bright yellow pixie wig and a black and white checkered jacket while seated on a chair in a blue room, seemingly preparing for an interview. The photo ties into the title of her album, Invasion of Privacy, as a small red recording light is placed in the left corner of the cover art. This suggests that Cardi’s album could touch on how fame has affected her in recent years, given that she recently took a break from the “negativity” on her social media.
Release Date
Invasion of Privacy was initially slated for release last October, around her 25th birthday, but later revealed that her perfectionism is causing the delay. “I have a lot of pressure on me. I have songs stashed up. I just don’t think they qualified for my album. Sometimes i think is ready sometimes i think it’s not so I’m going to take my time till it’s right,” she wrote. She’s finally reached a point where she’s content with her work and announced that Invasion of Privacy will arrive on April 6.
After sharing her new album art and release date, Cardi says she’s already dealing with anxiety as outlets have begun to speculate how well her album will do come April. “I’m also seeing predictions on sales and numbers. Please STOP! I’m already having bad anxiety. Let the shit drop and do what it do,” she tweeted. She added that sales numbers won’t define her as an artist because she used to push her own mixtape before inking a deal with Atlantic.
I’m also seeing predictions on sales and numbers .Please STOP! I’m already having bad anxiety .Let the shit drop and do what it do.
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) March 27, 2018
I will never let nobody discredit me ,before i sign to Atlantic i put 2 mixtapes out and i was pushing FOREVA by myself .I went to Renaissance HS for musical theater .I been love music .After high school i Stopped wanna know why ?cause music DONT PAY YOUR FUCKING BILLS A JOB DOES
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) March 27, 2018
Tracklist/Guest Features
Cardi has already collaborated with fiancee Offset, so the Migos rapper may also make an appearance on her forthcoming project. The official tracklist for Invasion of Privacy has yet to be revealed, but “Bodak Yellow” and the 21 Savage-featuring “Bartier Carti” are already featured on the project, as well as a “jam” featuring Kehlani. At the 2017 Billboard Women In Music conference, Kehlani revealed she was tapped for Cardi’s debut album. “We have a jam,” Kehlani said. “I can say nothing else except she’s incredible, she deserves everything coming to her, she works hard and she’s stayed humble.”
Last September, Cardi jumped on Instagram live to preview a freestyle that was supposed to be released on her birthday. She rapped, “Mama couldn’t give it to me, had to get it at Suez / Lord only knows how I got it at Suez / I was covered in dollars, now I’m dripping in jewels / A bitch play with my money, might as well spit in my food.” The freestyle could likely land on her album since the full version never materialized.
She also hit Instagram again earlier in February to share a snippet of a bouncy, club-ready track.
Cardi has aligned herself with a slew of notable artists in music including G-Eazy, Bruno Mars, Juicy J, Migos, and more, so her past collaborators could likely return the favor and appear on her new album. Who wouldn’t want a “Finesse” part two?