Cardi B recently sat down with Apple Music for an in-depth conversation, offering a candid look into her creative process, personal life, and a new song that has her both excited and a little scared. The takeover also saw Cardi picking songs to match different moods and sharing what summer truly means to her.
The Story Behind “Imaginary Playerz”
Cardi B revealed that her new track, “Imaginary Playerz,” was born out of a period of sadness and depression. She explained that last summer, while pregnant with her daughter Blossom, she was locked in the studio for days, trying to finish her album. One day, feeling particularly down after an argument, her engineer, Ed, played the beat to Jay-Z’s “Imaginary Player.” The nostalgic beat instantly lifted her spirits, reminding her of her childhood in the Bronx.
She recounted how her uncle Jeffrey, a “cute pretty boy, drug dealer boy” who was later deported, used to play the song frequently. The beat, she said, had a unique “smell” to it that brought back memories of her grandmother’s block and the feeling of summer. Inspired, she decided to create a female version of the song, infusing it with observations about modern life and “scammer bitches” from Brooklyn.
Cardi also expressed her gratitude to JAY-Z for clearing the record, acknowledging the risk she was taking by flipping such an iconic track. With her typical humor, she joked about the most significant consequence of the song’s release: “I’m never going to get a seat at Carbone ever again. They never gonna give me a seat, and I’m a little sad about it, but I took that risk.”
What Summertime Means to Cardi B
When asked what summertime feels like to her, Cardi offered a very personal and grounded perspective. She admitted that her vision for summer rarely matches the reality, often due to her demanding work schedule. Last year, she was too “depressed” to finish her album, and this year, she’s been “working so hard” she hasn’t even been able to get in her pool.
For Cardi, the true essence of summer is found in simple pleasures: hanging out with her friends and family, and chilling on the block in the Bronx, especially on the Fourth of July. “That’s what summertime gives to me, but unfortunately, work is like, artist life,” she said.
Songs for Every Mood
The takeover concluded with Cardi sharing a playlist of songs for different moods. She selected Kehlani’s “Fold That” for when you’re feeling both angry and “horny” after a fight with your man. She chose Summer Walker’s “Karma” for moments when you want revenge but know it’s best to “shut the f–k up and let karma deal with them.” She also shouted out Selena Gomez’s “Ojos Tristes,” expressing her surprise and delight that Selena covered the classic 1970s song. Finally, she praised fellow artist Lady Lava, picking her song “Ring Finger” as the perfect anthem for women to go out and have fun, even if they don’t have a man. Cardi revealed she might even attend Lady Lava’s birthday party in New York.