Cardi B's Long-Awaited Sophomore Album 'Am I the Drama?' Delivers Raw Energy and Star Power
Seven years after her explosive debut Invasion of Privacy dominated the charts in 2018, Cardi B has dropped her second studio album, Am I the Drama?, on September 19, 2025, through Atlantic Records. This 23-track opus, spanning over 70 minutes, showcases Cardi's signature blend of fierce rap delivery, personal storytelling, and genre-crossing collaborations, reflecting her life as a mother, in relationships, and in the public eye.
Am I the Drama? kicks off with "Dead" featuring Summer Walker, a moody opener that comes out swinging, before transitioning to "Hello," a fun, familiar Cardi bop with high-energy flows and a strong standalone presence. "Magnet" then brings high-energy trap intensity, leading into "Pick It Up" with Selena Gomez, a smoother pop-radio gem with twinkling chimes and softer house vibes, blending Cardi's edge with Gomez's melodic hooks.
Midway, "What's Goin On" with Lizzo (sampling the track “What's Up?” by 4 Non Blondes) stands out as a transparent track about the dissolution of a relationship, produced by DJ Hardwerk and Ricky Reed, layering emotional depth with empowering belts.
Cardi B: Am I The Drama? (2025) via Atlantic Records
Another standout moment is "Shower Tears" with Summer Walker, an R&B-infused confessional on heartbreak, with Walker's soulful intro emphasizing moving on. Conversely, "Check Please" is a straight flex, a high-energy anthem demanding payment and respect for her undisputed influence in rap.
Proving her star power, "Principal" brings the iconic Janet Jackson back to the studio for a striking collab, fusing Cardi's bravado with Jackson's legendary R&B flair. Even with these strong offerings, there’s still plenty of other notables, including "Bodega Baddie," capturing New York drill grit; "Safe" with Kehlani, a reflection on finding a safe space with a partner; "Better Than You" with Cash Cobain; and integrated hits like "Up" and "WAP."
The path to Am I the Drama? has been a drawn-out process, rooted in Cardi's rise from social media sensation to global star. Emerging in 2015 with viral clips and her role on Love & Hip Hop: New York, she released her first mixtape Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 in 2016, followed by "Bodak Yellow" in 2017, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Invasion of Privacy also arrived amid her pregnancy and marriage, earning a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Hints of a follow-up surfaced in 2018 via Instagram Lives, with Cardi mentioning leftover tracks for a potential September 2019 release. Though the COVID-19 pandemic and personal priorities ultimately delayed it.
Standalone singles ultimately emerged: the aforementioned "WAP" with Megan Thee Stallion in August 2020, debuting at No. 1 and setting streaming records; "Up" in February 2021, another chart-topper; "Hot Shit" with Kanye West and Lil Durk in 2022; "Bongos" with Megan in 2023; and "Enough (Miami)" in 2024, which garnered a Grammy nod.
Now, years later with Am I the Drama?, Cardi solidifies her staying power, transforming trials into triumphs.
