The Breakfast Club: Cardi B on Pregnancy, Album ‘Am I The Drama?’, Touring, Dating, and Growth

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: September 19, 2025
Guests: Cardi B
Hosts: Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee
Special Guest Host: Lauren LaRosa (filling in for Jess Hilarious & DJ Envy)

Episode Overview

This episode celebrates the release of Cardi B's highly anticipated second album, Am I The Drama?, marking her return after a long hiatus. Cardi joins The Breakfast Club to talk candidly about her pregnancy, creative process, responding to industry pressure, navigating fame, co-parenting after her breakup with Offset, dating new partners, her touring plans, and maintaining mental health. The conversation is raw, energetic, and full of Cardi's signature humor and honesty.

Key Topics & Insights

Album Release & Why It Took 8 Years

[02:28 - 05:23]

• Cardi addresses why her sophomore album took 8 years, stressing that it wasn’t due to pregnancy, but rather her high standards and feeling unready after WAP and Up.
• “It was never because I was pregnant, because my mouth is not pregnant. You know what I'm saying?” — Cardi B [03:35]
• She admits to overthinking, wanting her album to be more intentional than Invasion of Privacy:
  • “I just didn't put a lot of thought in [Invasion of Privacy]. ... I think I overthinked it.” — Cardi B [04:10]
• The pressure increased with her success, leading to scrutiny from fans and the industry over release timing.

Facing Industry Pressure & Online Debates

[05:23 - 06:05]

• Cardi responds to rumors about her status at her label and tour plans:
  • “If I'm a priority in the label... and all. And it's just like, what are you talking about? ... There was a check that I gotta go get. I'm going to get that check.” — Cardi B [05:23]
• She asserts her motivation despite outside doubts about sales and relevance.

Preparing for Motherhood, Touring, & Work Ethic

[06:05 - 09:45]

• Cardi discusses prepping for touring while pregnant, physical recovery after childbirth, and her ability to push through fatigue:
  • “If you want a bag, you get up and you go get it. It ain't no complaining.” — Cardi B [07:38]
• Describes label and management support but admits only mental distress can slow her down.

Mental Health, Taking Breaks, & Coping with Fame

[09:45 - 12:08]

• Cardi reflects on learning to take breaks for her mental health, often unintentionally stretching hiatuses:
  • “Sometimes I was really so sad that I couldn't even... record. ... The break turns into so long.” — Cardi B [10:04]
• Grounds herself via family/friends, and acknowledges heartbreaks and industry negativity can linger:
  • “Especially if it's heartache ... you boy, you can't fight that. You really can't fight that.” — Cardi B [11:34]

The Album’s Themes: Therapy, Beef & Accountability

[12:28 - 17:18]

• Cardi channels her emotions, addressing “beefs” and defending herself against rivals in song:
  • “A lot of these girls were trying me ... you not nowhere near me when it comes to artistry, when it comes to nothing, when it comes to the street.” — Cardi B [13:00]
• She explains why she responded to disses, especially when her kids were mentioned:
  • “When my kids grow up ... and they're going to ask me ... I'm not going to tell my kids ... I just took the high road ... No, I'm not saying that to my kids. I'm like, you see how I violated.” — Cardi B [15:46]
• Cardi criticizes rivals for spreading cheating rumors that nearly affected her home life.

Dealing with Internet Criticism & Choosing When to Respond

[19:56 - 20:45]

• Sometimes Cardi resists addressing critics, but at times she must “get this nut off my chest”:
  • “Why you on my dick? ... Nah, I'm gonna give you the clout today.” — Cardi B [20:06]

Motherhood’s Challenges & Influences

[20:59 - 22:47]

• Motherhood has made Cardi more driven not to quit, no matter the hurdles:
  • “Motherhood is hard ... It makes me not want to lose anything.”
• She chooses not to take on grueling film projects because they don’t suit her lifestyle or energies.

On Acting, Comedy, & Self-Perception

[23:12 - 24:43]

• Cardi, known for her humor, confesses she has no interest in stand-up, acting, or movies:
  • “If I stand with a mic, I can't do a joke. ... If I have to do a scene ... I'm going to laugh automatically. I can't help myself.”

Hardest Songs to Record; Emotional Process

[24:43 - 25:45]

• Certain tracks, like “Are You Worried?”, were tough because they reflect real-time heartbreak:
  • “I was going through it at that time... it was happening at that time.”

On Divorce, Offset, Dating After Separation

[25:45 - 30:59]

• The split with Offset isn’t “peaceful at all,” and she can’t speak further due to court.
• Regarding Offset’s diss track, Cardi says: “I laugh, whatever. ... People see what's up. I don't buy nobody.” [26:09]
• Admits she would marry again, but more cautiously: “I will get married again, but not as quick as I got married the last time.” — Cardi B [27:17]
• Describes mixed feelings about being single; sometimes relishes freedom, but occasionally feels the sting of loneliness.

Talking About New Relationships

[31:24 - 32:23]

• Cardi admits some album songs are about her new romance (“I am. Because ... a lot of songs is about him.”)
• She and new partner, allegedly NFL’s Stefon Diggs, took things slow: “It was just really like a talking thing ... getting to know each other before you really come in our world.”

On Pregnancy Reveal & Public Scrutiny

[32:43 - 35:35]

• Cardi kept her pregnancy private, being superstitious and wanting to control the narrative:
  • “I'm very superstitious. ... there's, there's wicked people that, that really do that. So it's like I don't even like to put it out there.” [34:11]

Sampling Janet Jackson & Jay Z on the Album

[41:02 - 42:54]

• Janet Jackson cleared Pleasure Principle and other samples quickly, a testament to her respect for Cardi.
• Jay-Z also cleared a sample: “It felt really good when he cleared it.”
• Cardi jokes this album could be “Cardi Featuring Janet Jackson.”

Navigating the Media Rollout & Podcast Choices

[44:45 - 47:39]

• Cardi prioritizes media platforms where she feels respected and supported:
  • “I'm gonna do podcasts with people that like me. ... If you don't like me, why am I gonna go to your... Like, so I could... Prove what to you?”

Parenting, Raising Kids, and Family

[49:49 - 52:49]

• Cardi’s kids are “spoiled,” but grounded by time with cousins and family.
• Reveals her sister Hennessy has become more introverted.

Shyness, Industry Friendships, & Betrayal

[52:51 - 59:31]

• Naturally shy, Cardi often finds it hard to connect with other artists, especially after experiencing betrayal:
  • “There's certain girls that I feel like I had supported ... and the bitches really dead don't like you.”
• Cautions about playing other artists’ music, fearing hidden animosity.

Subtle Drama, “Girl Code” and Trust

[59:31 - 61:09]

• Cardi tells stories of industry “weirdness”: women befriending her just to get close to her business, sometimes even being friendly while secretly betraying her.
• “I got receipts. For real. I have receipts. So tread lightly.” — Cardi B [57:19]

Girl Friendships She Still Values

[61:09 - 62:24]

• Shouts out support from Megan Thee Stallion and Latto, appreciating genuine gestures like time devoted to collabs.

Album Title: “Am I The Drama?”

[62:35 - 63:40]

• Cardi explains the meaning behind her album title:
  • “Some will hate you just because how everybody else love you. ... Damn, am I the drama? Am I the one? And is it me, Jesus?” [62:57]

Final Reflections

[64:17 - 66:11]

• Cardi expresses relief and happiness at finally releasing her album:
  • “I'm so happy that I got this album out. It just feels really good. ... I woke up this morning and I wanted, like, to cry and I'm like, what the I want to cry for? It's a lot.” [65:48]
• Reiterates gratitude for her team, fans, and her ability to push forward despite challenges.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If you want a bag, you get up and you go get it. Ain't no complaining.” — Cardi B [07:38]
• “Sometimes I was really so sad that I couldn't even, like, open my mouth or think to, like, record.” — Cardi B [10:04]
• “If you want to have a baby and you want to have a career, I'm going to get everything that I want. ... You just gotta work and you can't complain.” — Cardi B [32:54]
• “I got receipts. For real. I have receipts. So tread lightly.” — Cardi B [57:19]
• “Damn, am I the drama? Am I the one? And is it me, Jesus?” — Cardi B [62:57]
• “Maybe I am blessed or maybe I just... I don't know.” — Cardi B [63:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:28] Cardi opens up about the album delay.
• [06:05] Cardi on prepping for tour & postpartum recovery.
• [12:28] The therapeutic aspects of music and addressing “beefs.”
• [20:59] Cardi discusses the hardships and lessons of motherhood.
• [25:45] Reflecting on divorce, Offset, and new love.
• [31:24] Cardi admits her new music is about her new relationship.
• [34:11] On keeping pregnancy private.
• [41:02] The process of clearing samples with Janet Jackson & Jay-Z.
• [44:45] Cardi’s philosophy on engaging with media and podcasts.
• [52:51] Her natural shyness and the challenges of industry friendships.
• [57:19] Cardi issues a playful warning about holding “receipts.”
• [62:35] The meaning of “Am I The Drama?” album title.
• [65:48] Cardi expresses joy and relief at her album release.

Tone & Atmosphere

The tone is bold, candid, humorous, and heartfelt—true to Cardi B’s personality, mixing vulnerability with fierce self-assurance and plenty of unfiltered moments.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the realities behind stardom, motherhood, fame, and reinvention, all told through Cardi B’s distinct, relatable voice.