Cardi B has quickly risen to become one of the biggest stars in hip hop and pop music. With hits like “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It,” and “WAP,” she has proven herself as both a skilled rapper and songwriter. However, there isn’t a comprehensive source that details Cardi B’s exact songwriting process. Through interviews she has given and analyses of her lyrics, we can piece together her approach to crafting songs. This article will examine Cardi B’s songwriting drawing from experience, honesty and vulnerability, confidence, wordplay and flow, and collaboration with other artists.

Drawing from Personal Experience

One of the hallmarks of Cardi B’s songwriting is her willingness to draw from personal experiences in her life. She is known for rapping about real struggles and situations she has faced. This relatability is a big part of what makes her music connect so strongly with listeners.

In many interviews, Cardi B has discussed how she draws inspiration from her past. She grew up in the Bronx borough of New York City and had a difficult upbringing. She has opened up about past relationships, money struggles, and her journey to fame. These experiences give her lyrics an authenticity that resonates with fans.

For example, in “Bodak Yellow,” one of her breakout hits, Cardi B raps about the contrast between her past life of struggling to make ends meet and her current success. Lines like “No more clubs, we got options/Now we buy our bottles” reference this transition. She also talks about her past relationship and living situation in the lyrics “You use to be in the streets/Now you’re just on the scene.”

In “Money,” Cardi B discusses the allure and importance of wealth from her perspective. She raps about past money struggles and the desire to make enough money to take care of her family and feel secure. The song connects because it taps into universal desires and anxieties around finances that many people can relate to.

Overall, Cardi B’s willingness to draw from her personal experiences of relationships, financial hardships, and her journey to success gives her lyrics an authenticity that fans appreciate. Her willingness to be vulnerable makes her music feel grounded and relatable.

Honesty and Vulnerability

Closely related to drawing from experience is Cardi B’s honesty and willingness to be vulnerable in her lyrics. She doesn’t shy away from openly discussing intimate details or difficult topics. This adds power to her songwriting by making her music feel real and emotionally compelling.

For example, in “Be Careful,” Cardi B opens up about her past relationships and experiences with infidelity. She warns a partner to be careful because she’s been hurt before. Lines like “I gave all the trust and you broke it” show vulnerability. In “I Do,” she discusses post-breakup emotions and missing an ex, singing “I still love you though, I hope you know.”

Cardi B also gets personal about insecurities in her music. In “Like It,” she raps about body image issues, singing “Last night I took a L but I’m ’bout to take it back/You know I got that good good and it’s sitting right here on my lap.” This honesty about struggles with confidence makes her lyrics relatable for many women.

Even in more upbeat songs, Cardi B shows vulnerability. In “WAP” featuring Megan Thee Stallion, she discusses sexuality freely but also addresses double standards women face, rapping “Why is it that everybody make it such a big deal?/I just wanna know why y’all n****s ain’t real.” This openness about societal pressures adds depth.

Overall, Cardi B’s willingness to be honest and vulnerable in her songwriting, openly addressing topics like relationships, insecurities, and societal issues, gives her lyrics emotional resonance that keeps listeners engaged. Her vulnerability makes her music feel authentic.

Confidence

While Cardi B shows vulnerability at times, she is also known for exuding confidence through her lyrics and persona. This assertiveness comes through as a defining part of her songwriting style and charisma.

In many songs, Cardi B portrays an image of herself as a powerful, independent woman who knows her worth. For example, in “Bodak Yellow” she raps lines like “If I’m shinin’, everybody gonna shine” and “I don’t dance now, I make money moves.” This confident air of success comes across.

Similarly, in “Money Bag” featuring YG, Cardi B discusses lavish spending and living luxuriously without apology. Lines like “I just hit a lick with the mask on/Fifty K, no I don’t need no handouts” convey a self-assured attitude about wealth.

Even when addressing insecurities as mentioned earlier, Cardi B maintains an assertive tone. In “Like It,” after opening up about body image issues, she follows with “I’m confident, damn, I’m sexy as hell.” This flip between vulnerability and assurance is part of her charm.

Cardi B also exudes confidence through her vocal delivery. She raps with a bravado that commands attention. Her flows are energetic and her tone is rarely timid. This adds to the impression she gives of being a powerful, take-no-prisoners artist.

Overall, Cardi B’s songwriting is marked by a confidence that comes across as inspiring to many fans. Her willingness to unapologetically discuss money, success, and her sexuality while maintaining an assertive air makes her lyrics feel bold and empowering. This charisma is a big part of her appeal.

Wordplay and Flow

Beyond her subject matter and persona, Cardi B displays technical skill as a lyricist through clever wordplay and catchy flows. This mastery of craft helps make her songs addictively listenable and memorable.

Cardi B is known for peppering her lyrics with double entendres, pop culture references, and clever turns of phrase. In “WAP,” she references both classic films and popular memes to humorous effect. In “Bartier Cardi” featuring 21 Savage, she plays on the title with lines like “He got that bomb weed, Pedro” and “Said he got that bomb head, I believe him.”

Her flows are also dynamic, switching up rhythms within verses for interest. In “Bodak Yellow,” she varies between slower enunciation and faster triplet-based delivery. In “Money,” her flow glides over the beat confidently.

From a technical perspective, Cardi B also exhibits control of rhyme schemes within her verses. She links words together through internal, half, and multi-syllabic rhymes. Her wordplay and flow make her songs enjoyable to decode with repeated listens.

Overall, Cardi B’s technical abilities as a lyricist are undeniable. Her mastery of wordplay, pop culture references, rhyming techniques, and dynamic flows elevate her songs and keep listeners engaged with the craft of her rapping. This skillfulness is part of what makes her music so compelling and re-playable.

Collaboration

While Cardi B shines as a solo artist, she has also proven her talent and versatility through collaborations. Working with other creatives exposes her to new influences that she integrates into her songwriting.

Some noteworthy Cardi B collaborations that showcase her ability to mesh with different styles include:

“Girls Like You” with Maroon 5 – Cardi B adds hip hop flavor to the pop/rock group’s sound seamlessly.

“I Like It” with J Balvin & Bad Bunny – On this global reggaeton hit, Cardi B slides between English and Spanish with ease.

“WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion – Their chemistry and competitive energies elevate this bawdy banger.

“Rodeo” with Lil Nas X – Cardi B matches the country-rap hybrid artist’s quirky style on this crossover hit.

“Taki Taki” with DJ Snake, Selena Gomez, Ozuna – She holds her own on this international Latin/EDM track.

Through collaborating in different genres, Cardi B has demonstrated she can adapt her flow, subject matter, and vocal delivery. This shapes her as an artist willing to experiment beyond hip hop boundaries. It also exposes her to new techniques she then brings to her solo work.

Conclusion

While there is no single comprehensive account of Cardi B’s songwriting process, analyzing her interviews and lyrics reveals consistent themes in her approach. She draws from personal experiences to craft authentic narratives. An openness about vulnerability and confidence imbues her music with charisma. Technically, Cardi B exhibits mastery of flow, wordplay, and rhyme. Collaborating also allows her artistry to evolve through new influences. Overall, Cardi B’s multi-dimensional talents as both a lyricist and performer have made her one of the most influential artists in popular music today. Her impact on hip hop and beyond will likely be felt for many years to come.