Cardi B’s rendition of JAY-Z’s “Imaginary Players,” has a fan in Joey Bada$$. The single, flipped to be titled “IMAGINARY PLAYERZ,” is detailed to be of the true New York aura.
“The track embodies the spirit of New York Hi-Hop, blending homage with reinvention,” Joey said in an interview. “Imaginary playerz carries the energy and bravado that defines the city’s lineage.”
Nearly three decades after its release, Jay-Z’s In My Lifetime Vol. 1 is back on the charts thanks to Cardi B’s latest single. Her new track, “Imaginary Players,” reimagines Hov’s 1997 classic and has sparked a surge of streams for the original.
According to Music Data, Jay-Z’s 28-year-old album has entered the iTunes Hip Hop charts for the first time ever, with the original “Imaginary Players” landing in the Top 40. Cardi teased her new version last week with a trailer and confirmed that Jay-Z personally approved the sample.
Much like Hov’s record, Cardi’s track takes aim at haters and brags on her success compared to those trying to compete. Jay-Z’s original cut was a subliminal diss aimed at Mase during their late ‘90s rivalry for New York’s rap throne, questioning the authenticity of his rival’s lifestyle.
Released in November 1997, In My Lifetime Vol. 1 was Jay-Z’s first project following Roc-A-Fella Records’ deal with Def Jam. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, sold 138,000 copies in its first week, and eventually went platinum. Alongside “Imaginary Players,” the LP produced favorites like “The City Is Mine,” “Streets Is Watching,” and “Friend or Foe ‘98,” while also spawning the cult classic film Streets Is Watching. Guest appearances included Too Short, Lil Kim, and Blackstreet, while the flashy “Sunshine” video directed by Hype Williams remains one of Hov’s most talked-about visuals.
Cardi B is preparing to drop her long-awaited sophomore album Am I The Drama? on September 19, featuring previous hits like “WAP,” “Up,” and “Outside.” The project comes eight years after her debut and will go head-to-head with new albums from Doja Cat (Vie) and Taylor Swift (The Life of a Showgirl).