Cardi B Hints at Jay-Z Approval for New Single ‘Imaginary Players’
Cardi B has teased that her upcoming single, Imaginary Players, received a nod of approval from Jay-Z. During a livestream on X (formerly Twitter) Spaces this week, she revealed that “the one and only” had greenlit the track, though she did not name him directly. Fans immediately speculated that her song might sample Jay-Z’s 1997 track of the same name from In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.
“If he didn’t approve it, I probably wouldn’t [have] even [felt] a certain type of way [either], because it’s like, ‘OK, maybe I just had to come a little bit harder,’” Cardi said, as reported by Hot 97. “But I’m glad that I came hard and he loved it.”
The news sparked excitement among fans on social media. When Live Bitez shared Cardi’s livestream on Instagram, comments poured in. One user wrote, “Getting an approval from Jay (out of respect) is a big deal. Can’t wait to hear her version, Imaginary Players is one of my faves.” Another added, “I’m excited for her actually. Nobody takes risks nowadays so this is cool.”
Some fans connected the announcement to the ongoing Nicki Minaj and Jay-Z feud. Nicki has criticized Jay-Z and Roc Nation on social media in recent weeks, leading to speculation that Jay-Z clearing the song for Cardi could be a subtle response. One user commented on X, “So after months of Nicki Minaj dragging Jay Z online, he clears a song for Cardi B out of spite and y’all still think Nicki is crazy?”
Imaginary Players is set to drop this Friday as the second single from Cardi B’s upcoming album, Am I the Drama?. The first single, Outside, released in June, referenced her past relationship with Offset. Fans will get the full album on September 19, more than seven years after her debut project, Invasion of Privacy.
With Jay-Z’s indirect involvement and the potential nod to his classic track, Imaginary Players is generating anticipation as one of the most talked-about releases leading up to Cardi B’s sophomore album.
