Cardi B catapulted from reality TV stardom to international acclaim. She's done radio, TV, films and, in a few years, maybe Congress. What we love most about Cardi, born Belcalis Almánzar, is her effortless gift of gab and her unwavering self-confidence. 

Of course, we couldn't f**k with her, and honestly, we wouldn't try. Here are six quotes which remind us of such: 

1. "Make more than the guys you thought you wanted to be with."

giphy

True women's empowerment is self-sustainability, Cardi told Elle in 2017. Cardi B professed that it doesn't matter if you have a degree or a…sponsor (read: sugar daddy), you don't have to get with a bag, you can just get your own. 

2. "If you want it, and the more you keep hearing you can't have it, you just go and get it."

giphy

The 27-year-old is no stranger to grinding. Cardi stopped by The Norte Show to talk about her unshakable work ethic and how her blowing up wasn't just luck. Even though she was sleepy during the interview, she let the interviewer know that the grind never stops. Resistance to getting what you want should only serve as fuel to go after it harder. 

3. "It's not that people want to be like me, but some want to say the things I say and can't because they're afraid. I say it for them."

giphy

Cardi never claimed to be a mouthpiece for anyone but herself, but she has come to understand that women look up to the sense of freedom she exudes, which they might not get to relish in their everyday lives. In a talk with Cosmopolitan the "I Like It" artist shared that she, sadly, didn't think the #MeToo movement would ever reach hip-hop but that it doesn't stop her from promoting women's empowerment. Not everyone can stick out their tongue while popping in a bed of money and telling the president to f**k off, but some of us would like to. 

4.“Get yourself together b***h. Learn how to budget hoe.” 

In a video that made the rounds as far back as 2016, Cardi shares her budgeting advice in a since-deleted Instagram post. In it, she reminds the viewer that no matter how much money you have, or don't have, it's always important to budget. The "Money" rapper shared this timeless advice while walking down a nondescript sidewalk letting us know that even though her accessories were over $1,500, her $20 jumpsuit was a bargain. You can't put a price on good taste.  

5. "I don't care about anyone not liking me, you b***hes barely like yourselves."

giphy

Self-love will always be the major key in interactions with the outside world. You can't wonder about what the next person thinks about you — who knows what they even think about themselves. As long as you like you, nothing else really matters.

6. "A lot of people always question, 'What else can she do, what else can she do?' And I'm gonna show you."

giphy

The proof is in the pudding. People have doubted this woman since she arrived on the scene via Love & Hip Hop: New York. Instead of fizzling out, like several reality stars turned rappers, she popped. In an interview with Beats 1 in 2018, before her debut album, Cardi told her haters that she would show them what she could do. It's pretty obvious that even two years later we still haven't seen everything she has to offer. 


Cardi, continue to teach us your ways. 

Cardi bCardi-B-quotescongress