The Latest with Loren LoRosa

Episode: 7 years later & Cardi b is finally dropping an album + Young Thug’s record release is delayed
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Loren LoRosa

Overview

On this episode, Loren LoRosa dives into two of the biggest stories in hip-hop: Cardi B is finally set to release her highly-anticipated second album, “Am I the Drama?”, after a seven-year wait, and Young Thug, recently released from prison, delays his new album that was expected to drop the same weekend. Loren explores the context behind both artists’ career moves, changes in their personal lives, and the cultural significance of their music. The episode also looks ahead to other news from the iHeart Music Festival, as Loren prepares to cover her first time hosting live from Las Vegas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Cardi B’s Long-Awaited Sophomore Album (04:25)

• Release details:
  Cardi B’s new album, “Am I the Drama?”, is launching on September 19 — her first album since “Invasion of Privacy” (April 6, 2018).
• Waiting game:
  "It’s been about seven or eight years since Cardi B has put out an album... And she has been, you know, she's been on features. Cardi B had an amazing feature run..." (05:15)
• Inclusion of old singles:
  Loren addresses criticism around Cardi including older hit singles like “WAP” and “Up” on the album. Cardi has responded, saying her fans want those songs on the album, and that the tracks won’t count towards first-week sales, countering critiques that it’s a sales ploy.

  “My fans have been asking me to put them on an album, and people search for them… They deserve a home. I let haters make me not submit ‘WAP’ for the Grammys, and at this point, I’m giving my fans what they want. These two songs don’t even count for the first week sales. So what are y’ all trying to cry about?” – Cardi B, quoted by Loren (06:40)

• Rollout buzz:
  Videos for new content (notably “Safe” ft. Kehlani) are teased, and Loren describes viral marketing via the “Cardi B Bodega” on DoorDash and other creative promo tactics. “It’s rollout time. It’s about that time.” (07:18)
• Anticipation around content:
  There’s public curiosity about the themes Cardi will explore — her transition from married life with Offset to divorce, a new relationship with Stefon Diggs, pregnancy with her fourth child, and her shifting mental health. Loren highlights Cardi’s candidness about needing to prioritize mental time and creative growth. (08:20)
• Evolving artistry:
  Loren mentions that when Cardi spoke with Kelly Rowland, she emphasized not making the album “too angry,” to avoid comments that would stick and define her narrative. (09:00)

Young Thug’s Album Delay & Personal Journey (09:16)

• Anticipated release pushed:
  Young Thug was set to drop his album the same weekend but postponed it to avoid clashing with Cardi’s release, showing respect and camaraderie.

  "He tweeted about it. He said, ‘Y’all know I wasn’t dropping Friday. It’s a ladies day ❤️. Do your shit, Cardi B.’" (13:59)

• Recent struggles:
  Loren outlines Thug’s recent history — his release from prison after facing one of Georgia state’s longest cases, a tumultuous public profile involving jail calls, apologies to Mariah The Scientist, and “falling out with friends.” (11:20)
• Creativity and isolation:
  Loren discusses how Young Thug’s creative process suffers without his usual collaborators and friends.

  “He don’t got his people around him... no Baby right now, no Gunna. His creative process seems to be very much so inspired by the people around him... and he doesn’t have that anymore. But I think there’s still a story to tell.” (12:42)

• Processing emotion & trauma:
  Loren reflects on the interview Young Thug did on “Perspectives with Big Bank”—where Thug became emotionally raw, speaking about betrayal and the pain of losing friends to “a piece of paper:”

  "You said play with some hard ass thinking about. Cause you don’t got my twin, bro. I don’t got my friends, bro, who I be with every day. I don’t got them no more, bro. And I ain’t lose no to a tragic or now I lost betrayal, bro. You signing that one piece of paper… could get me a life sentence.” — Young Thug, (13:40, interview quoted by Loren)

• Hopes for honest music:
  Loren hopes Young Thug’s next project channels this vulnerability:

  "I think we’ll get to the real, like, feel it in your chest type of music… I want that for Thug.” (15:10)

• Industry positioning:
  Loren notes Young Thug is at a crossroads — rebuilding his career, reestablishing his brand and sound, and responding to the expectations and contradictions of the music industry’s love for “the things we glorify that we're now telling him we want him to grow from.” (16:35)

Mutual Respect & What’s Next (16:15)

• Public camaraderie:
  The mutual online support between Cardi B and Young Thug — Cardi’s playful response:

  “And when you come, you better step. Love to see it, love to hear it.” — Cardi B responding to Young Thug, (14:23)

• New beginnings:
  Loren draws a parallel between both artists starting over—Cardi from a “married woman to a divorced woman to expecting a new baby,” and Young Thug, “starting from nothing all over again” after his legal battle.
• “Two artists… at ground zero”

  “Two artists who are kind of starting at ground zero in different aspects of their life, dropping music.” (17:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why singles like WAP belong on the album:
  “These two songs don’t even count for the first week sales. So what are y’ all trying to cry about? Do y’ all say anything when all these artists pull out their little tricks and ponies to sell out? Exactly. Now let them eat cake. Go cry about it.” — Cardi B (06:57, read by Loren)
• Young Thug on betrayal and isolation:
  “Ain’t no in the world making me go get gone to no bruh coming from that. And I don’t know how much of the music was already made, but I hope that there are some things that have been recorded within this little small time period since then, because I think we’ll get to the real, like, feel it in your chest type of music, you know what I mean?” — Loren on Young Thug (13:40; Thug’s quote paraphrased, Loren responding)
• Loren’s hot take:
  “I love Young Thug, I love his music. But I feel like… his creative process seems to be very much so inspired by the people around him… and he doesn’t have that anymore. But I think there’s still a story to tell.” (12:44)
• On starting over:
  “Two artists who are kind of starting at ground zero in different aspects of their life. Dropping music.” (17:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cardi B Album Announcement & Discussion: 04:25–09:16
• Cardi Responds to Critics About Singles: 06:40–07:00
• Young Thug: Legal Struggles & Delayed Album: 09:16–12:42
• Young Thug Candid Interview Clip & Emotional Reflection: 13:40–15:10
• Young Thug’s Tweet & Cardi’s Playful Reply: 13:59–14:30
• Loren’s Reflections on Artists Starting Over: 16:35–17:12

Tone & Style

• Loren’s tone is conversational, authentic, and grounded in hip-hop and pop culture perspectives. She balances excitement for new music with critical reflection—both as a fan and a commentator.
• She maintains empathy and understanding toward both artists’ personal struggles, emphasizing growth and transformation.

Wrap-Up

Loren closes the episode by encouraging listeners to tweet and share their thoughts on the new Cardi B album and Young Thug’s delayed release. She teases live festival coverage and leaves fans anticipating updates from Las Vegas and the cultural conversations that continue to shake the room.

Social/Contact: Loren LaRosa – @LorenLoRosa on all platforms