Cardi B has long faced scrutiny over her use of ghostwriters. But at the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, she met the criticism head-on with defiance and pride.
After receiving the prestigious Voice of the Culture Award, the Bronx-born rapper used her platform to defend the collaborative nature of music, challenging outdated notions of authenticity in hip-hop.
“I hate the idea that if you don’t write every line on your own, what you say isn’t real,” she declared from the stage. “Music is collaboration. It always has been. The greatest records come from shared energy—pain, joy, spirit.”
Her speech reframed the ghostwriting debate, shifting the focus from purity to purpose. For Cardi, artistic impact outweighs strict definitions of authorship.
She made it clear that she’s not just reading lines written for her.
“I write. I co-write. I rewrite. I speak my truth,” she continued. “My mind, my voice, and my emotions live in every verse, every hook.” She also praised the writers behind the scenes—those who shape stories without the spotlight. “This award isn’t just for me. It’s for every writer who helps move the culture forward.”
Despite the heartfelt message, backlash followed. Social media users quickly reignited debates about the meaning of credibility in hip-hop. Critics argued that rap demands more than delivery—it requires storytelling rooted in lived experience, penned by the performer. Some dismissed her comments as a dodge, accusing her of diluting the craft to justify commercial success.
But Cardi’s stance reflects a broader shift in how collaboration is viewed in contemporary rap. The days of solitary genius are fading in a genre now shaped by teams, studios, and creative collectives. What Cardi represents is not a lack of authenticity, but a different kind—one rooted in voice and vulnerability, even if the pen is occasionally shared.
At 31, Cardi B stands as one of the most polarizing and influential voices in modern music. She never shies away from criticism. Instead, she turns it into conversation.
And whether critics accept her defense or not, the message remains: in her world, truth isn’t defined by solitude—it’s amplified through collaboration.
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