Black VoicesArts and EntertainmentNew York CityBronx

Cardi B Covers 'Fader,' Talks About How Being Unapologetic Led To Her Success

"Ain’t no going back. I’m gonna be famous forever."
Open Image Modal
By 

Black Voices Editor, HuffPost

Cardi B is the cover star of  The Fader’s Summer Music issue.

The “Lick” rapper went deep with the magazine to discuss her journey from stripper to Instagram star to reality TV star to award-nominated artist.

The Bronx native told the publication she’s never been one to hide her big personality. But when she reached half a million followers on Instagram ― mostly due to her empowering and hilariously real videos ― fame wasn’t on her mind. She didn’t even think about following her dreams in music. She was all about handling the business in front of her.

Open Image Modal
The FADER/Samantha Casolari

“I was always scared to follow my dreams because if I follow my dreams and I fail, I can’t dream about it anymore,” she told The Fader. “It’s easier to settle for less.”

But a little encouragement from her manager led her to create her breakout single, “Foreva,” derived from one of her most memorable and viral moments on “Love & Hip-Hop: New York.”

Since dominating the reality series (and Instagram timelines), Cardi has dropped two mixtapes, signed a major deal with Atlantic Records and got nominated for two BET Awards. The rapper said though she feels guilty at times about her family struggling with money, she reminds herself of her work ethic.

“I do feel kind of guilty sometimes ’cause, like, I could buy myself a $5,000 dress or a $3,000 dress and I’m buying these things but I’m knowing that my cousin need money for the rent,” she said. “And then I gotta tell myself, ‘Stop feeling guilty. You worked for this.’ When I was a stripper, I used to strip like six nights a week. I used to bust my ass. And I didn’t stop [working]. Until today I work just as hard as I did before.”

Though Cardi is done with the strip club and reality television, she’s sure of her place in life now more than ever before, even with the criticism she may face.

“Am I ever gonna grow thick skin? No. I just gotta focus on making money,” she said. “Cause ain’t no going back. I’m gonna be famous forever.”

Read her entire profile on The Fader.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Moments From The VH1 Hip-Hop Honors
(01 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Queen Latifah performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(02 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Dej lofe, and Lil Mama perform onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(03 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Dej Loaf (L) and Lil Kim perform onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(04 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Suga-T and Queen Latifah perform onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Nicholas Hunt via Getty Images)
(05 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Host Eve and honorees Missy Elliott, DJ Spinderella, Cheryl 'Salt' James, Sandra 'Pepa' Denton, Queen Latifah, and Lil Kim watch show during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(06 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: (L-R) Monica, Tweet, and Fantasia perform onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(07 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Honorees Missy Elliott, DJ Spinderella, Cheryl 'Salt' James, Sandra 'Pepa' Denton, Queen Latifah, and Lil Kim watch show during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(08 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Teyana Taylor performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(09 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: (L-R) DJ Spinderella and Cheryl 'Salt' James and Sandra 'Pepa' Denton of Salt-N-Pepa speak during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(10 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Queen Latifah (L) and Lil Kim speak onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(11 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Dreezy (L) and Keke Palmer perform onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(12 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Dej Loaf (L) and Lil Kim perform onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(13 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Ashanti performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(14 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Eve performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(15 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: 'Orange is the New Black' actors Dascha Polanco, Taryn Manning, and Adrienne C. Moore speak onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(16 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Faith Evans performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(17 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Rapper Eve hosts the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(18 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Remy Ma and Fat Joe perform onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(19 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Dancers onstage for Queen Latifah's performance during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Nicholas Hunt via Getty Images)
(20 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Leanne 'Lelee' Lyons, Tamara Johnson-George and Coko from SWV attend the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at Hammerstein Ballroom on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic) (credit:Andrew Toth via Getty Images)
(21 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Lil Kim and Royal Reign attend the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at Hammerstein Ballroom on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic) (credit:Andrew Toth via Getty Images)
(22 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert I attend the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at Hammerstein Ballroom on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic) (credit:Andrew Toth via Getty Images)
(23 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Jessica White attends the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at Hammerstein Ballroom on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic) (credit:Andrew Toth via Getty Images)
(24 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Cardi B attends the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at Hammerstein Ballroom on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic) (credit:Andrew Toth via Getty Images)
(25 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Rapper DeJ Loaf, jacket detail, attends the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
(26 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Rapper/actor LL Cool J attends the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
(27 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: TV personality La La Anthony attends the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
(28 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Rappers Vin Rock, Treach and DJ Kay Gee attend the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
(29 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 7: Kelly Rowland attends the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at avid Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) (credit:Paul Bruinooge via Getty Images)
(30 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: La La Anthony (L) and Chanel Iman speak onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(31 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Common speaks onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(32 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Faith Evans performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(33 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Rapper Missy Elliott attends the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
(34 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Amber Rose performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Nicholas Hunt via Getty Images)
(35 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Sean 'Diddy' Combs aka Puff Daddy (L) and Lil Kim speak onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(36 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Teyana Taylor performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(37 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Alicia Garza (L) and activist/writer Darnell L. Moore speak onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
(38 of38)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Sean 'Diddy' Combs aka Puff Daddy (L) and Lil Kim speak onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1) (credit:Theo Wargo via Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip