Cardi B Is Making History in Music and Entertainment

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WENN

Image via WENN

Cardi B, born Belcalis Almanzar, has come a long way from battling with local New York DJs on Love and Hip Hop New York in an effort to get them to play her music on the radio. Nowadays, she’s battling major artists for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and for the first time, the star has finally peaked, surpassing the likes of Taylor Swift.

According to Billboard, the 24-year-old’s hit “Bodak Yellow” went from No. 2 to No. 1 this week on the charts, making it the hottest song in the country no matter the genre. The chart placement also makes Cardi only the second female rapper to top the Hot 100 without the help of a featured artist. Lauryn Hill was the first when she debuted “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998.

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They also pointed out that only four other female rappers have topped the Hot 100, and it’s not who you would think. That includes Iggy Azalea for “Fancy” in 2014, (which featured Charli XCX) Shawnna, who was featured on Ludacris’ hit “Stand Up” in 2003 and Lil Kim, who topped the charts when featured on the remake of “Lady Marmalade” with Christina Aguilera, P!nk and Mya in 2001.

Ms. Almanzar is doing big things, indeed. It’s refreshing to see someone so humble and so comfortable being who they are having such a great deal of success. But Cardi has been living it up way before she finally achieved her first No. 1 hit. She’s had some major opportunities to meet some icons, perform with a few others stars and just shine front and center in all kinds of places and spaces that people may not have ever thought they’d see her in. Check out 11 ways Cardi B has been living her best life:

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