Cardi B just made it clear she’s stepping into her next era with no hesitation. Her newest single, “Imaginary Playerz,” flips JAY-Z’s 1997 cut into a flashy, fearless statement that blends high fashion with high energy. Teaming up with her longtime creative partner Patientce Foster, Cardi co-directed the music video, which finds her strutting across a private jet runway in glittering, head-turning outfits. At one point, she proudly reminds everyone, “The first rap b*tch on the cover of Vogue!!!”
The record carries the same sharp edge as the original but with Cardi’s signature bite. On the second verse, she fires off the line, “Now you’re 15 up, you already out of time / I’m a legend, they gon’ hang my heels from the power lines,” leaving no doubt about where she sees herself in the game.
Fans have seen Cardi trade words with plenty of women in rap over the years, but her history with Nicki Minaj is one of the most talked about. That’s why some people are already reading deeper into the fact that she chose a JAY-Z track, especially when Nicki has been openly taking shots at anything tied to him or Roc Nation lately. Clearing a sample like this doesn’t happen overnight, which makes the timing all the more interesting.
Back in the day, “Imaginary Players” called out people pretending to have it all until they got exposed. Cardi’s version keeps that same energy but turns the volume up with her mix of confidence, glamour, and unapologetic attitude. With her new album dropping September 19, this single feels like a warning shot. She’s not just back—she’s ready to own every headline that comes her way.
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