It’s 2018 and Cardi B is not only a regular in our Spotify playlists, but also a staple in pop culture. Before Bodak Yellow, though, and her debut album Invasion of Privacy, which sold a whopping 255,000 units in its opening week, Belcalis Almanzar dropped a lot of iconic bops.
Now, true stans will already know these tunes, but many new Cardi B fans will be relatively unfamiliar with some of her earlier mixtape tracks.
In fact, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2, released in 2016 and 2017 respectively, are responsible for some of her most iconic music to date.
It’s a genuine crime that her pre-“Bodak Yellow” tracks aren’t given the love they deserve.
Here are some of Cardi’s earlier tracks that are truly underrated and deserving of more air-time. Prepare for your ears to feel blessed.
Cheap Ass Weave
You need to add “Cheap Ass Weave”, a re-make of Lady Leshurr‘s 2015 “Brush Your Teeth”, to your playlist right now. “I can’t believe it,” Cardi exclaims. “This is insane / How can you talk about me when your weave is inside of the grave? / (It’s dead, bitch).” Marvel at Cardi playing various characters. The low-quality production of the video, as well, makes the whole thing even more endearing.
Washpoppin’
Cardi is synonymous with “washpoppin’”, and this aptly-titled song is just as memorable. Enjoy watching Cardi channel some serious Pamela Anderson, Baywatch vibes for a brief moment.
Foreva
When our girl single-handedly rejuvenated Love and Hip Hop back in 2015, one of her iconic phrases included, “a girl have beef with me, she gon’ have beef with me… forever.” In the video below, Cardi takes part in some good ol’ trash talking while in a bubble bath and shower cap, like the best friend we all deserve. It’s a giant mood.
What A Girl Likes
I couldn’t discuss influential Cardi tunes without mentioning “What A Girl Likes”. Released separately from Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2, this is an anthem for the hustlers of the world. You will literally be singing, “Gimme shmoney, gimme gimme shmoney” for the rest of the afternoon. You’re welcome.
If you can’t handle the queen from her mixtape days, you sure as hell don’t deserve Cardi at Billboard número uno. Just saying.
