Cardi B Explains Why She Was 'Afraid' to Drop Music in 2023
Cardi B is shedding light on how negative opinions had her in a funk last year.
While chopping it up on The Complex series 360 with Speedy, the rapper discussed how she "lost herself" in 2023 due to harsh criticism.
"I just feel like I lost myself with everything, you know, like, a lot of music commenters and everything and a lot of people just be like, you know, ‘She's afraid to drop an album, she’s afraid to drop music,’" Cardi explained. "Last year, I barely dropped music. It’s just like I was just afraid to do everything."
Due to that trepidation, the only single she released in 2023 was "Bongos" with Megan Thee Stallion.
In the nearly 40-minute sit-down, the chart-topper also said fear limited her activity in other areas of her life, such as social media and public outings.
"I was afraid to go live, I was afraid to post a picture, I was afraid to go to the club, and then the next day seeing people, what they going to say about me, and everything."
The rapper has also been quiet on political issues this election season. In the past, Cardi went viral for interviews she has conducted with Bernie Sanders and President Joe Biden.
"I love talking about politics and everything," she said. "I don’t even want to talk about it anymore because I’m just so afraid of just getting dragged every single f---ing day. Like, I’m tired."
Still, Cardi won't be held back.
This year, she has dropped two tracks: "Like What (Freestyle)" and "Enough (Miami)."
The interview wrapped with a tease of her upcoming album.
"My next announcement will not be like a single, type s - - t. It will be my album cover," she said. "One single, and y'all getting the album. And then it's happening."