Cardi B is currently holding back on gracing the Super Bowl stage with her mesmerizing performance. In an interview with Billboard, published on September 3, the "WAP" rapper revealed that she had earlier declined the prestigious opportunity to headline the NFL event's halftime show, believing she hadn't amassed enough chart-topping hits to justify such a high-profile gig. "I was approached to perform at the Super Bowl, but I turned it down," Cardi confided. "I sensed that if I waited a bit longer, I'd have more smash hits under my belt, more experience, and I'd relish every moment of it."
At 32, Cardi—who reportedly passed up the Super Bowl 2019 performance to stand in solidarity with quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his activism—is unwavering in her commitment to honing her craft. "I excel at what I do, and I take my sweet time crafting my music—it's evident," she asserted. "So many rappers come and go, but I'm still standing strong. You might downplay my accent, but I pour my heart and soul into my work. I never give half-hearted efforts to anything I undertake."
This dedication is evident in the seven-year gap between her debut album, 'Invasion of Privacy' in 2018, and her long-awaited sophomore release, 'Am I the Drama?'. "I've always known I'd release a second album; it's just that I wanted it to be perfectly curated," she elaborated. "For me, success would be hearing people say, 'She delivered an exceptional album.'"
Cardi further stated, "If people are talking about the album at 3 a.m., then that's success for me, because it means they can't wait to dissect it. I even want my detractors to admit, 'Wow, that stuff is fire!'"
Moreover, much has transpired in the Grammy winner's personal life since her meteoric rise. She's welcomed three children—Kulture, 7, Wave, 3, and Blossom, 11 months—with her ex-partner Offset. "Motherhood has transformed me into a real woman," she shared. "I used to wonder what defines a woman—her body, her cooking skills? It's her maturity and wisdom. Without my kids, I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice so much."
Cardi also revealed that she's "experienced a lot" that has significantly shaped her perspective. "The highs and lows of fame, the hate, jealousy, drama, balancing my career with my personal life, and maturing," she added. "I've learned to manage my emotions, grasp the intricacies of life, and play the game of life like a chess master."
