Cardi B has been balancing stardom and motherhood ever since her music career skyrocketed in 2018. Four years later, the rapper admits she's still just figuring it out like any parent. Between working on new music and caring for her daughter, Kulture; son, Wave; and the rest of her blended family, the Grammy-winning star has a lot on her plate.
". . . having kids helps you see things a little bit different."
In her July Vogue Singapore cover story, Cardi B reflected on the rewards of parenthood so far and how it always connects back to her career. "I've never appreciated my mum more - having kids helps you see things a little bit different," she told the outlet after rushing her son to the emergency room. (She did not specify why Wave was hospitalized.)
Cardi B announced her first pregnancy with husband Offset in April 2018 during a "Saturday Night Live" performance and gave birth to her daughter three months later. At the time, the "Hot Sh*t" artist was facing judgement for having a child so early on in her career - mainly because her name was just beginning to take off and she had recently dropped her debut album.
"There weren't a lot of artists out there who had babies at the beginning of their career. I didn't have an album out when I found out I was pregnant," she explained to Vogue Singapore. "Everybody was so nervous for my career and future, but I kept telling them, 'It's easy. Trust me, I'm going to have a nanny and she's going to travel up and down with me. It's not even going to be a hassle.'"
As it turns out, Cardi B never did get a nanny for Kulture - she takes pride in being a very involved parent. "I was afraid of anybody being around her besides my family," she continued, adding that she never wanted to burden her kids' grandparents by leaving the children with them 24/7. "They are older and don't have the same energy as someone in their 20s. I'm never far from my kids because that's my responsibility as a mother."
". . . Even though my kids are well-off, I want them to know that when you work for things and achieve it, it's more respected."
On Sept. 4, 2021, Cardi B and Offset welcomed their second child together, and they finally revealed his name in an April Essence cover story. Since then, the couple has shared small glimpses of their growing family as Cardi B gears up to release her next studio album. While the rapper continues to work hard to provide for her children, she also wants to ensure they recognize their privilege coming from famous parents.
"They need to know to never feel comfortable. Don't ever feel like, 'I'm going to get it because I'm Cardi and Offset's kid,'" Cardi B said. ". . . Even though my kids are well-off, I want them to know that when you work for things and achieve it, it's more respected - especially when people see that you bust your ass for it."
Over the last few years, the rapper and mom of two believes that parenthood has made her "more compassionate for people" - specifically "for all mothers in the world." Cardi B takes her role as a mother very seriously and wants everyone to know that "having kids is work."
