Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, is an American rapper known for her commercial success in the music industry.
She rose to fame with hit singles like Bodak Yellow and I Like It.
Cardi B, born in the Bronx, New York, has made history as one of the most successful female rappers of her generation.
She has won Grammy Awards and achieved significant milestones in her career, including being the first female rapper to have two songs reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Cardi B’s music is characterized by empowering lyrics and a spirited personality that resonates with her audience, especially young women.
Apart from her music career, the rapper has been in the spotlight for her personal life, including her relationships, legal issues and candid discussions about her past experiences as a stripper.
Siblings
Cardi B has one full sibling named Hennessy Carolina, born on December 22, 1995, making her 26 years old as of 2022.
Hennessy is known for her presence on social media, modeling, and makeup-related posts.
In addition to Hennessy, Cardi B has six half-siblings from her father’s first marriage, including two half-sisters named Maciel Almanzar and Nicauly Villalona and one half-brother named Fernando Almanzar.
Cardi B’s father is Carlos Almanzar, of Dominican descent, who moved to the USA in 1990.
The rapper’s mother, Clara Almánzar, is of African and Spanish origin.
Cardi B and Hennessy grew up together in Highbridge, a neighborhood in the South Bronx, New York City, and spent time with their parents and grandmother in Washington Heights.
The bond between Cardi B and Hennessy is strong, with Cardi B often playing a protective role in her sister’s life.
Despite Hennessy’s popularity, the rapper recently revealed that she has a total of seven siblings, emphasizing the importance of family and the joy of having a large and supportive family network.
Parents
Cardi B’s parents are Carlos Almanzar and Clara Almanzar.
Carlos, originally from the Dominican Republic, moved to the United States in 1990 and worked as a taxi driver to support the family.
Clara, of Trinidadian descent, worked multiple jobs, including as a cashier and store clerk, to provide for her family.
Despite their separation in 2005, Clara raised Cardi B and her sister Hennessy Carolina on her own, demonstrating immense dedication and hard work.
Cardi B has expressed admiration for her mother’s strong work ethic and the influence it had on her career.
While Cardi B had a complex relationship with her father during her adolescent years, both parents continue to hold significant roles in her life.
The multicultural influences from her parents’ backgrounds have played a part in shaping Cardi B’s identity and music career.
Career
Cardi B’s career has been marked by significant achievements and milestones in the music industry.
She gained fame through her appearance on VH1’s reality show, Love & Hip Hop: New York, in 2015, transitioning to a full-time music career in 2017.
Her breakout single, Bodak Yellow, released in the same year topped the charts, followed by her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, which won her a Grammy in 2019, making her the first solo female artist to win Best Rap Album.
Cardi B’s success continued with numerous accolades, including being crowned Entertainment Weekly’s, Entertainer of the Year, in 2018 and winning Album of the Year at the 2019 BET Awards.
She also ventured into acting, starring in the film “Hustlers” in 2019 and becoming a judge on Netflix’s music competition series, Rhythm + Flow, in 2019.
Cardi B’s career showcases her versatility, from music to film and television, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Controversies
Cardi B has been involved in several controversies throughout her career.
Some notable incidents include an altercation with Madonna over a social media post, public scrutiny of her relationship drama with Offset, legal troubles resulting in guilty pleas for assault charges and reckless endangerment, past revelations about drugging and robbing men during her time as a stripper and a mic-throwing incident during a performance in Las Vegas.
These controversies have influenced public perception of Cardi B and sparked debates about her actions and decisions in the public eye.
