Lame or flames…
Invasion of Privacy is the debut studio album by Cardi B and her first project released under Atlantic Records. On March 26, 2018, she revealed both the official artwork and title for the album and eventually the tracklist on April 4, 2018, two days before the album’s release.
I’m not going to lie, I thought she would be a one-hit wonder with Bodak Yellow, but after listening to the album (which is already platinum) and seeing the stats below, I admit that I was wrong.
All that matters ! Invasion of Privacy ! pic.twitter.com/4cv392tY3l
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) May 16, 2018
She’s even the second highest female in album sales for this year.
Best selling female albums this year (US pure)
#1 Beautiful Trauma, @Pink 248k
#2 Invasion of Privacy, @iamcardib 158k
#3 reputation, @taylorswift13 144k
#4 Camila, @Camila_Cabello 127k
#5 Golden Hour, @KaceyMusgraves 73k— chart data (@chartdata) May 23, 2018
Here’s my list from least flames to most flames. Song info provided by Genius.
No. 13 – “I Do” (feat. SZA)
The final track on the album is all about doing what you want, because “[you] feel like it”. Both Cardi and SZA flaunt their designer clothing, racks of cash, and rich boos.
No. 12 – “Bickenhead”
The title is a combination of the word “chickenhead” and the Blood gang tradition of replacing the C sound with the letter B. Chickenhead refers to a dumb drugged out woman who performs oral stimulation for drugs or money. Cardi claims to have been a blood since she was 16. Her signature song “Bodak Yellow” also replaces the letter ‘K’ with the letter ‘B’. This may also be a reference to the last letter of her stage name.
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No. 11 – “Money Bag”
Cardi flaunts her illustrious wealth over a booming and confident instrumental. In namedropping celebrities and designer brands, Cardi gives a full account of her current situation.
No. 10 – “Ring” (feat. Kehlani)
Both Cardi and guest feature Kehlani both express their doubts about their partner’s interest. The themes of infidelity and a tumultuous relationship underline Cardi’s debut album.
No. 9 – “Thru Your Phone”
This track is about infidelity and trust issues. Since Cardi’s engagement to Offset of the Migos in October 2017, rumors surfaced that Offset was cheating on her (a topic that she also addressed on “Be Careful.”)
No. 8 – “Get Up 10”
In my opinion, this is the hardest track on the album as Cardi discusses her uprising in the rap game as well as her rags to riches story. Despite her success, she revealed in an Instagram caption that listening to this track still makes her sad, presumably because of the “rags” part of her story and the fact that this is still so many people’s reality.
No. 7 – “I Like It” (feat. Bad Bunny, J Balvin)
Latin grooves, an energetic horn section, and an infectious trap beat is what “I Like It” is all about. The song sample’s Pete Rodriguez’s 1967 boogaloo song “I Like It Like That.”
No. 6 – “Be Careful”
The official public warning track to Migos rapper Offset, and that she will not stick around if he continues to sleep around with other women.
No. 5 – “Bartier Cardi” (feat. 21 Savage)
Cardi and 21 Savage rap about their wealth and lavish lifestyle. “Bartier” is a reference to the French luxury brand, Cartier.
No. 4 – “Drip” (feat. Migos)
Cardi and Migos rap about their success as well as the doubts and hate people have towards them. They then proceed to show them why and how they got to the place they are.
No. 3 – “She Bad” (feat. YG)
Teaming up with Compton M.C, YG, on a DJ Mustard beat, Cardi showed us she isn’t a one-hit wonder. She spits about a lot of interesting subjects, mostly focusing on how people are drawn to her.
No. 2 – “Best Life” (feat. Chance The Rapper)
Both Cardi and Chance have seen tremendous success recently, which is apparent on the first line of the chorus, “Said I’m living my best life.”
No. 1 – “Bodak Yellow”
Cardi references her past as a stripper and how she has cemented her legitimacy in the rap game with her peerless work ethic. Cardi’s flow and chorus are reminiscent of Kodak Black’s 2014 hit “No Flockin.” The title’s a play on Kodak’s name as “Bodak” references the “B” in Cardi B, and “Black” is changed to “Yellow” as she’s a yellow bone or light-skinned.
Cardi revealed in an August 2017 Billboard interview that she wrote the lyrics to the song while listening to the beat on an airplane
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