Cardi B is back yet again for the summertime! Just a few hours ago, the New York native connected with two Chicago stars, Lil’ Durk and Kanye West, to deliver her latest single, “Hot Sh*t.” While the single indicates that Cardi B may have more in store, it’s still pretty unclear what the direction of her next project will be. Fortunately, Nessa of Hot 97 sat down with the superstar and dived a bit deeper into her creative process. During their 65-minute conversation, Nessa asked her about the status of her sophomore album.
“Can you tell us anything about the sophomore album? I know you’re a perfectionist. I’ve known this for years. I understand that you’re probably like, ‘Nope, scrap that song. Nope, we’re going to do that again. Give me this. Give me that.’ You know?” Nessa asked.
“I mean…do you know what’s so crazy? In 2020, I felt like I had a couple of songs. I had a couple of songs. I mean…I’m always recording. So, I had a couple of songs in 2020 and it’s like, ‘In 2020, I want to drop the album.’ Then, I’m like, ‘I’m not going to f*ckin’ drop the album [while] everybody’s at home and you cannot tour.’ It’s really important to tour after albums and everything. So, I’m like, ‘I’m not going to drop it. Hello?’ Then, I changed my mind [again] and I [got rid of] almost all of the songs I had. I said, ‘Oh, I need to record something different. I don’t like this sh*t [anymore]. These are sounding old to me.’ It’s just really hard for me to hear or create something that I like,” she answered.
Released more than four years ago, Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy capitalized on the success of “Bodak Yellow” and elevated her career to new heights. Not only did the album showcase her ability to put together a complete body of work, but it also spawned hits like “Ring” and “I Like” with J Balvin and Bad Bunny. As it stands, Cardi B may be looking for songs that match the feeling of those hits for her upcoming album.
“I’m always going to the clubs and I’m always like, ‘Hmm…it’s missing this.’ Then, it’s like, ‘I’m also missing that.’ Right now, I feel like [my] album is missing my ‘I Like It’ record. When I say my ‘I Like It’ record, I’m not talking about Spanish sh*t. I just don’t feel like I have my Pop record. When it comes to my ‘Be Careful’ or ‘Ring,’ I feel like I’ve got it there, but I don’t really have it there. I feel like there are other things that I want to express,” she explained.
In addition to delivering hits, Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy also included a number of star-studded collaborations. Chance The Rapper, Kehlani, 21 Savage, SZA and others. This time around, the Bronx star is looking to tap in with Brooklyn legend Lil’ Kim.
“I even hit her up. I want Lil’ Kim on my album. I do have a song that I feel like, “Aight, she’s good for it.’ Then, I’m also debating on another song that I feel like I want her on too. What I really wanted to do is like an ‘Aunt Dot’ with her. I really wanted to do like an ‘Aunt Dot’ with her. Then, I’m kind of debating [with myself]. Is that going to be outdated?” she asked.
“Also, I just want the song that I do with her to be a super, great comeback. I don’t want to just put her on a song and say that I have a Lil’ Kim feature. I just want this to be her moment.”
