On Cardi B And The Successfully Wonderful “Basic B***h” Aesthetic

“Be Careful,” “Best Life,” and “I Like It” Are Begrudgingly Bops, Amirite?!?!

There will be a million articles that note that the release of the angsty, yet lyrically simplistic Invasion of Privacy album from rap supernova Cardi B represents an “emperor in new clothes” moment for hip-hop culture. However, fifteen seconds into track number one, Cardi notes that her only option was to work as an ostensibly fully nude stripper across from her high school. Thus, not only does the empress have new clothes, but she’s probably been comfortable in wearing them for a decade. Therefore, if that’s the crux of your review, your review is obvious, surface-influenced, and thereby invalid. The album is best regarded as the successful showcase of the life and times of Dominican-American and Bronx-raised 25-year old Belcalis Almanzar.

Continue to deride the one-time reality TV star and very much still round the way girl with perfect acrylic nails that Ms. Almanazar as the “basic b***h” that her lyrics very much cast her as on this and she’ll clap back at you, in front of 20 million-plus followers on Instagram. Yes, she is basic, meaning shallowly materialistic and a fan of the most commonplace of luxury brands and popular culture. But, as she says in 2017’s most virally…