2017 was a year filled with tough lessons — some of which led to losses (here's looking at you, 45), and others that led to wins. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this easily forgettable year is that anyone can and will succeed, as long as they can find and cater to the right fan base. Unlike 45, Cardi B’s rise has been widely celebrated by all who have followed her story or unabashedly sang “Bodak Yellow” at the top of their lungs. Aside from the track’s catchy tune and almost flawless delivery, Cardi B tapped into something that clearly struck a chord with fans, and that thing, once broken down, provides the catalyst for you to experience your own come up. So, let’s dive in.
Here are six lessons we can take from Cardi B’s epic 2017:
1. Make Money Moves
In everything you do, make sure you have an eye on securing the bag. Cardi B has been honest and authentic about the life she’s lived and the steps taken to get to the point she’s at now. Whether it was dancing, reality TV or leaving it all behind to pursue a career in music EVERYONE laughed at, Cardi proved that every next move is always your best move, as long as you’re prepared to make the move.
2. Be Authentic in Your Interactions
Cardi B utters the now infamous line, “If I see you and I don’t speak that means I don’t f*ck with you” early in “Bodak Yellow”, and it’s a breath of fresh air to hear someone say clearly and concisely a feeling we’ve all had at one point or another. Life is too short to spend it faking the funk and being inauthentic. If you want 2018 to be your year, start by getting real with who and what you want in your space, versus those you’ve allowed in that don't quite fit where you’re going. Be concise in clearing your life out to make room for something more.
3. Just Outwork Everybody
Cardi’s line, “Honestly don’t care about who’s in front of me, dropped two mixtapes in six months, what b*tch workin’ as hard as me” sums this up perfectly. It doesn’t matter who is ahead of or behind you, as long as you’re willing to outwork them — and there was no other other female rapper with more appearances in 2017 than Cardi B herself. From showing up as a feature, to tours and television appearances, Cardi was everywhere in 2017. So, whatever field you’re in, your goal should be to simply outwork every person in the room. This means showing up earlier than expected and working later than required. Being the first to arrive and last to leave will ensure that those extra hours you’re putting in will put you ahead of the competition.
4. Own Your Insecurities and Use Them as Strengths
“Got a bag and fixed my teeth.”
As soon as Cardi B said that line, she owned every critic who ever said she wouldn’t make it because of a perceived insecurity. And in that moment, she elevated herself beyond every single detractor. You, too, can do this. Whatever you believe your insecurity is, take it and use it to fuel you. After all, it is often our biggest weakness that becomes our greatest strengths.
5. Understand Your Why
The reason Cardi B couldn’t chill is because she pays her momma’s bills. Understanding your why will help you to focus and provide clarity of purpose, which you’ll need to continue elevating and propelling yourself forward throughout the year.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Drop the Dead Weight
This is a lesson that will serve you well: there is nothing wrong with dropping what’s holding you. Sometimes that is the very thing you need to do in order to move forward and rise higher.
So, as we close this year and look ahead to the next, I hope we'll all take a page out of Cardi B's book and continue to level up on our haters, celebrate with our fans and simply outwork everyone regardless of what others think. Here's to health, wealth, happiness and an epic year ahead!
