Cardi B Sparks Fan Backlash After Adding “WAP” & “Up” to Her Long-Awaited Album

Cardi B is officially ending her seven-year album drought with the release of her highly anticipated sophomore project, AM I THE DRAMA?, set to drop on September 19, 2025. While many fans from her loyal Bardi Gang are celebrating the news, the overall reception has been mixed, with the biggest point of contention being the album’s tracklist.

One of the major talking points is Cardi B’s decision to include her older mega-hits “WAP” and “Up” on the album. Both tracks, released five and four years ago respectively, appear toward the end of the tracklist according to streaming previews, including Spotify. For fans who’ve been waiting nearly a decade for fresh material, this inclusion has stirred frustration.

The backlash online was swift, with many fans questioning why Cardi would pad her new project with songs they’ve been listening to for years. Social media comment sections have been flooded with opinions, ranging from disappointment to outright accusations that the move reflects a lack of new material.

But Cardi B hasn’t stayed silent. In a candid audio clip captured by Live Bitez, the Bronx rapper addressed the criticism directly. “These motherf*ckers are just gonna have to be mad,” she said. “My hit records need a home. Sometimes people go to Invasion of Privacy looking for ‘WAP’ and ‘Up.’”

Cardi further explained that fan demand played a major role in her decision. “My fans have been telling me to put ‘WAP’ and ‘Up’ on the album—and I’m gonna do this for my fans. My fans deserve for me to listen to them… Fck it’s our turn. It’s Bardi Gang’s turn. Whatever they mad about tell them to go cry about it. Wah, wah, wah go fcking cry about it. I love my fans… and whatever they want, they get.”

Despite her passionate defense, not everyone is convinced. Some online critics are calling the move “desperate,” pointing out that it’s uncommon for artists to place years-old singles on new albums. One social media user commented, “Ain’t nobody told her that. She can’t write that’s why there’s no new music. This sh*t over with.” Another added, “Nobody never put a 6-year-old song on a new album. Bfr!!!”

Still, Cardi B remains focused on her fans and the upcoming release. Whether the inclusion of “WAP” and “Up” will affect the album’s performance or reception remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—AM I THE DRAMA? is set to be one of the most talked-about releases of the year.

As September 19 approaches, all eyes will be on Cardi B to see if she can silence the doubters and deliver an album that meets the expectations of both her hardcore fans and critics alike.