By Michelle Ndaga
Cardi B has returned in a major way, with her long-awaited sophomore album AM I THE DRAMA? debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Released on September 19 following a seven-year hiatus, the album opened with 200,000 equivalent album units, making it the biggest debut for a female R&B/hip-hop album in 2025.
The Bronx rapper now holds the distinction of being the first female rapper to have both of her first two studio albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. AM I THE DRAMA? pulled in 145.72 million on-demand streams and sold 88,000 pure copies in its first week.
The project features standout tracks such as “Outside” and “Dead” featuring Summer Walker, both of which have gained rapid popularity across streaming platforms.
Just hours after the chart-topping news broke on September 28, fellow rap icon Nicki Minaj took to social media, posting a video from inside a recording studio.
The clip, which quickly went viral, appears to tease her upcoming sixth studio album, expected in 2026. The timing has sparked renewed comparisons between the two artists, whose fan bases frequently debate their respective legacies and chart success.
While Minaj’s video offered no official release date, it added fuel to speculation that another major rap release is on the horizon, setting the stage for a competitive year in hip-hop.
