Hip-hop icon Cardi B has stormed back onto the charts with a monumental return: her sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, debuted atop the Billboard 200 in its first week. The release underscores her staying power and cements her as a major force in modern rap.
Strong First-Week Numbers & Records
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In its opening week, Am I the Drama? moved approximately 200,000 album-equivalent units, combining streaming, downloads, and physical sales.
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With this achievement, Cardi B becomes the only female rapper in history whose first two studio albums both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
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This also marks Am I the Drama? as one of the biggest launches of 2025 in the R&B/hip-hop category by a female artist.
What’s Behind the Success?
1. Blend of new and familiar tracks
To build momentum, Cardi included two of her biggest hits—“WAP” and “Up”—on this album. While those songs had already dominated charts, their presence here helps anchor the project and boost its streaming footprint.
2. Viral marketing & fan engagement
The album rollout leaned into visual stunts, quirky pop-ups, and social media moments. “Courtroom editions” of the album and creative promotional materials sparked buzz online, helping draw attention to the full project.
3. Fan loyalty & critical anticipation
After waiting several years since her debut Invasion of Privacy, fans were eager for a new body of work. The anticipation, combined with Cardi’s track record, drove streams and sales in a crowded release landscape.
Context & What’s Next
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Invasion of Privacy, Cardi’s 2018 debut, also reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remains a benchmark in female rap. Wikipedia+1
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The success of Am I the Drama? signals a resurgence not only for Cardi but for the hip-hop genre at large, showing that bold, personality-driven rap still commands the charts.
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With the album’s strong opening, all eyes will now be on its longevity: how it performs in successive weeks, whether it draws award recognition, and how its singles chart.
(Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
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