Cardi
B

Born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar on October 11, 1992, in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City, to a Dominican father (truck driver) and Trinidadian mother (cashier); family soon moved to Highbridge in the South Bronx, where she was raised alongside younger sister Hennessy Carolina in a working-class immigrant household filled with cultural richness but financial struggles.

Early childhood in the Bronx; family emphasized resilience and cultural pride amid neighborhood challenges; young Belcalis showed outgoing personality and early interest in performance influenced by Caribbean music and New York street culture.

Continued family life in Highbridge; parents worked multiple jobs to support the family; seeds of determination planted in a vibrant but tough urban environment.

Ongoing early development; exposure to diverse music genres through family and neighborhood; began displaying strong will and humor that later defined her public persona.

Family dynamics shaped by immigrant experiences; attended local preschool; early signs of charisma emerged in social settings.

Enrolled in elementary school in the Bronx; navigated cultural identity as a first-generation American; family supported education despite economic hardships.

Continued primary education; deepened interest in dance and music; neighborhood influences introduced her to hip-hop culture.

Ongoing schooling; family faced typical urban challenges; young Cardi developed street smarts and protective instincts toward peers.

Intensified social awareness; explored creative outlets like dancing; family home provided foundation of Trinidadian and Dominican traditions.

Continued elementary years; began facing bullying but responded with confidence; early aspirations in performance began forming.

Middle school transition; balanced academics with growing interest in fashion and music; neighborhood gang influences present but focused on survival.

Ongoing education; developed reputation as outspoken and funny among friends; family emphasized independence.

Continued middle school; explored early social media and online trends; personal style began emerging.

Enrolled at Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & the Arts; focused on dance and performance; navigated teenage challenges in tough environment.

Ongoing high school; began part-time work; family financial pressures intensified.

Continued schooling; faced domestic issues at home; turned to stripping part-time for income and independence.

Joined the Bloods gang for protection and community; worked full-time as a stripper at 19 but began earlier; dropped out of community college briefly to focus on survival amid poverty and abusive relationship.

Ongoing independent life supported by stripping; saved money to leave difficult situations; manager encouraged social media presence to build brand.

Fired from deli job leading to full-time stripping; began posting humorous videos on Instagram and Vine; gained early online following with candid personality.

Instagram fame grew rapidly with relatable, unfiltered content; stripped to fund independence; navigated young adulthood in New York nightlife.

Continued social media rise; videos went viral for humor and authenticity; attracted reality TV attention.

Ongoing online growth; prepared for television breakthrough while maintaining stripping career.

Joined VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York in season 6; documented music aspirations and personal life; released early remixes and covers.

Love & Hip Hop continued; released first mixtape Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1; left show after season 7 to focus on music.

Released Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2; signed with Atlantic Records; secret marriage to Offset in September.

Breakthrough with 'Bodak Yellow' reaching No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100; first female rapper since Lauryn Hill to top chart solo; released debut album Invasion of Privacy to critical acclaim.

Invasion of Privacy won Grammy for Best Rap Album (first female solo winner); daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus born July; Coachella performance pregnant reveal aftermath; film debut in Hustlers.

Released hits like 'Press' and 'Money'; navigated public marriage drama with Offset; continued acting and endorsements.

Released 'WAP' with Megan Thee Stallion (massive cultural phenomenon); filed for divorce from Offset briefly; son Wave Set Cephus born September.

Released singles like 'Up' (No. 1 hit); reconciled with Offset; graduated from college goals reflected; daughter born September 2024 amid renewed divorce filings.

Ongoing music and family balance; independent releases; philanthropy expansions including community support.

Continued high-profile life; legal victories and business ventures; focused on motherhood amid public scrutiny.

Released singles building toward new album; headlined festivals; navigated relationship changes.

Released sophomore album 'Am I the Drama?' to strong reception; announced Little Miss Drama Tour for 2026 with dates including Amerant Bank Arena; headlined major festivals like Soundstorm 2025 in Saudi Arabia (first performance there) and Global Citizen; welcomed fourth child (newborn son); celebrated first Christmas as mother of four with custom-decorated trees for each child, sharing chaotic but joyful family moments; began public relationship with NFL player Stefon Diggs amid holiday posts; accepted Billboard's Impact Of The Year Award; surprise public appearances including Maryland mall visit; maintained massive cultural influence with viral moments and advocacy.