CARDI B'S INVASION OF PRIVACY ALBUM REVIEW

Album Review

By Solomon Obi

Name of Musician: Cardi B

Name of Album: Invasion of Privacy

Genre of Music: Hip hop

Label: Atlantic

Release Date: 6 April, 2018

Initial Response: She indeed changed the game; this is real and unapologetic sounds straight up and not caring if you like her style. I could feel her drive to succeed, to move up to the point of stardom. Cardi B has put other artistes on notice and she has a lot to offer. I was impressed.

What I know about Cardi B: Her real name is Belcalis Almanzar. She is an American Rapper Singer, Songwriter and Media Personality. She first attracted attention for discussing her career as a stripper on social media, coupled with her “no filter attitude”, she became an internet celebrity through Instagram.

How long has she been in the music scene: In November 2015, Cardi B made her musical debut on Jamaican reggae fusion singer Shaggy’s remix to his single “Boom Boom”, alongside fellow Jamaican dancehall singer popcaan. On March 7, 2016 Cardi B released her first full length project, a mixtape titled Gangsta B***h Music, Vol 1.

What’s her Background: She was born on October 11, 1992 in The Bronx, New York to an Afro-Trinidadian mother and Mestizo Dominican father. She was raised in the Highbridge neighborhood located in the South Bronx. She spent a lot of time at her grandmother’s home in Washington Heights, which she credits with giving her “such a thick accent”.

Overall theme of the Album: Triumph

How do I describe it: Cardi B shares with us, the days of her tough beginnings, the choices she had to make in life and what she did and how she endured all kinds of things to survive and become successful in life, she even confessed that she was once a stripper on the first track of the album “Get Up 10”. She not only shares her struggles but her love life, money, fame and some piece of advice to her audience. This album beat my expectations and I am happy it is receiving the attention it is getting.

The lyrics: They are explicit and in all honesty I don’t think this album will get much air play except it is altered. But on a light note, the lyrics from the album could be understood at a glance and you do not need to take your time to harness the messages in them.

Here are few examples
Bodak Yellow
”Said little b***h, you can’t f**k with me
If you wanted to
These expensive, these is red bottoms
These is bloody shoes
Hit the store, I can get ‘em both
I don’t wanna choose
And I’m quick, cut a n***a off
So don’t get comfortable
Look, I don’t dance now
I make money moves
Say I don’t gotta dance
I make money move
If I see you and I don’t speak
That means I don’t f**k with you
I’m a boss, you a worker b***h
I make bloody moves”

Tracks that stand out: Get Up 10, Bodak Yellow, Bartier Cardi and Be Careful.

Tracks that don’t: Well it is hard to say because all the tracks on this album are dope and each have a story to tell about her life. So I can’t really say I will just let you decide the ones you think don’t.

Why: They all carry rooted messages about her love life, struggles, money, fame and matters that affect her as an individual.

How does this album compare to others in this genre: This is her debut album and already it has been certified Gold just 24 hours after release. So I expect her to do more strides and release better albums that will transcend this one in the course of time.

My overall ratings and why: I will give this album eight over ten, though the lyrics are explicit, she is still able to strikes scores and make a statement with this debut joint, that she has come and she is here to stay. The tracks on the album allow her to express herself, her struggles, her money, her fame and her love life. She has indeed put everyone in the industry and even in the hip hop scene on notice that there is a new boss and that she is going to be here for long. This album is quite favourable.