‘Invasion of Privacy’: The rose that grew from concrete

Rapper Cardi B, performing “Bodak Yellow” at Play Bar in Tallahassee, October 2017.
Credit: Nadia Felder

It’s catchiness, realness and ratchetness, all wound up into one hard-rocking album. It’s invading my life, my room and my earphones. It’s “Invasion of Privacy.”

Female rapper Cardi B might have just bestowed the young world with something to jam to this summer in her brazen debut album. “Invasion of Privacy” is a varying mix of songs ranging from slow jams to club bangers.

The bold and unapologetic rapper continues to spill out her truth through clever rhymes and memorable lyrics.

One recurring theme in the 13-track playlist is Cardi’s venture out of the mud, or “hood.” Her rags-to-riches tale may be one for the books and the relatively new artist won’t let anyone forget it.

Lines like “I’ve been broke my whole life, I have no clue what to do with these racks” and “they gave me two options, stripping or lose,” reminds her listeners of the realness she’s endured.

Her approach, on the surface, appears guttural, but the rapper does hold a virtuous spirit. Cardi doesn’t shy from revealing her truth and how to avoid and triumph challenging circumstances.

The reality TV star-turned rapper has now broken an Apple Music record as the album passed 100 million streams, according to Fader.com. Cardi’s breakout single “Bodak Yellow” also landed her two Grammy nominations this year, adding to the young female rapper’s successful climb.

According to Forbes.com, “Invasion of Privacy” has now surpassed Taylor Swift’s Apple streaming record.

The album features blazing artists like SZA, Chance The Rapper, Migos, Kehlani  and YG.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The Bronx, New York native dropped the fire album April 2 and has since sent her fans into a frenzy on social media. The leading single “Be Careful” dropped days before the album, being cited in Instagram captions as well as on Twitter.

 Noteworthy artists like Diddy, Ciara, Migos and Missy Elliott have recognized the “Bodak Yellow” rapper per their social media accounts.

Is it just me or can you here musical influences like Jay- Z and Biggie in the rapper’s flow? It could be my ears playing tricks on me, or I could be right on the dime.

I’m in total awe of Cardi’s cultural dig into her Latina roots with the track “I like it,” featuring Bad Bunny and J. Balvin, who spoke fluent Spanish throughout the song. Cardi B also released a Spanish version of “Bodak Yellow,” adding even more flavor to her music.

It’s too early to say if Cardi has a promising future in the rap industry, but she didn’t halt after the “15 minutes of fame,” talk from the nonbelievers.

Let’s hope she pays Tallahassee another visit with these hot new tracks to rap.

 “I’m the rose that came from the concrete in the roads,” Cardi sings in “Best Life.”

Yes Cardi. Yes you are.