Invasion Of Privacy - Cardi B - Album Review

The larger than life Cardi B drops one of the most "in your face" records of 2018. Cardi B outshines the success of "Bodak Yellow" and manages to showcase the unique personality she's known for. The self proclaimed "Trap Selena" stands as one of 2018s forces to be reckoned with.

---

At this point everyone knows the name, "Cardi B", it associates itself with reality TV, instagram, and Offset, however her name demands much more artistic credit. Before "Bodak Yellow" even dropped, she released two mixtapes that did not manage to make a mainstream splash as she would have hoped however, Invasion Of Privacy turns into the kick that her career needs at this point in time.

Cardi B wastes no time in presenting herself as an artist that cares for no one who stands in her way, to both men and women. Though she relies on many of her co-writers for help, one cannot deny the appeal that she brings to the current state of hip-hop. Cardi B brings a lot bravado and cockiness to many of the tracks that she has, such as in "Bickenhead" where she spits bars about poppin', well you know what, "Pop that pussy like poppin' pussy is goin' out of style / Pop that pussy while you work, pop that pussy up at church / Pop that pussy on the pole, pop that pussy on the stove". Personally, during some of the tracks I thought to myself "is this garbage or does this actually bang?", but it only took a couple more listens to come to the conclusion that it's pretty dope. Many of the tracks have tongue-in-cheek lyrics and they turn out pretty funny, tracks such as "Money Bag" have Cardi B flexing over a harsh beat "This is sweet pussy Saturday, that's just what Plies say / I said "Bae, it's a snack," he said it's a entrée / With them pretty ass twins, you look like Beyoncé", very vulgar yet hilarious.

To say that Cardi B cannot show vulnerability would serve as a huge understatement. Cardi B showcases timid moments in "Be Careful" where she speaks about past relationships that have failed, and in "Thru Your Phone" where she searches her mans phone to then only find out that he has been unfaithful. The album however, is so scattered that you'll find the next song as a female anthem that disregards everyone and gives the finger to the haters, "I Do" highlights this and it has one of the best bars on the album "For the record, I set record record sales / I like niggas that been in and outta jail / They said by now that I'll be finished, hard to tell / My little 15 minutes lasting long as hell" that's pretty OG if you ask me.

Many of the features give the album a sense of variety and taste, tracks such as "Drip", "I Do", and "Bartier Cardi" would not have the same vibe if they did not have Migos, SZA, and 21 Savage. There's a little bit of everything for everyone, such as the Latin flavored bop "I Like It", and of course the trap banger "Bodak Yellow". The only downside of the album comes to the fact that it lacks a cohesive direction whenever discussing Cardi' B's vulnerable moments, not to mention YG's feature on "She Bad" leaves much to be desired. With Invasion Of Privacy, Cardi B should not have any problems with making the top of "year end" list for other publications.

Invasion Of Privacy, much like Cardi B, is an entertaining ride that manages to find the rising star flashing her mainstream prominence while also presenting herself in a new light. The album serves as a bitchslap to all those who have ever talked trash about Cardi, and as an ode to all her fans. With Invasion Of Privacy, Cardi B cements her status as one of 2018s most important artists, and even lives up to her self proclaimed name "Trap Selena".

---

8.5/10

Released: 2018

Label: Atlantic

Favorite Tracks: Get Up 10, Drip, Bickenhead, Bodak Yellow, Best Life, I Like It, Money Bag, Bartier Cardi, Thru Your Phone, I Do

Worst Track: She Bad, Ring