Mpho Rantao
MUSIC charts brand Billboard has named Cardi B as their Woman Of The Year for 2020.
Billboard made the announcement on the 20th November, leading up to their 15th Annual Women in Music Event, where the Grammy-award winning rapper will receive her award alongside Icon Award-recipient Jennifer Lopez, singer Dua Lipa, R&B duo Chloe x Halle, and country star, Dolly Parton.
Several music fans, and Cardi B herself, responded with mixed reactions to the news made by the famous brand, as some chirped on the rapper was not deserving of the award, but Cardi responded to those criticisms on social media, coming to her own defense HJ as well.
In a video that she posted on her Instagram profile, the “WAP” rapper said:
“Morning y’all, it’s your girl Cardi B, and yes, I am Woman of the Year,” the star stated in her video. “And for you crybabies like, ‘But she only got one song!’ Yeah, I got that song, b—h. You know, the one that sold the most? The one that streamed the most? The one that had Republicans crying on Fox News about it. The one that have a song that’s about to be six times platinum in three months. The one that had your grandma popping her p—y on TikTok. Yeah b—h, that one.”
The rapper went on to sound off about her most recent political advocacy leading up the USA’s presidential elections, and how she has used her online presence to educate her fanbase and inspire change.
“And on top of that, boy, for over a year, you know what I’m saying, I’ve been influencing, using my platform for y’all to vote,” Cardi said while wearing a robe, head wrap and minimal makeup. “Not just when Joe Biden was going against Trump. I’ve been informing y’all about y’all’s senators. I’ve been informing y’all about districts. Midterm elections. Using my own money to meet up with these candidates like Bernie [Sanders]. Flying out, tired after shows. Yeah, that’s me, b—h.
“Even when y’all’s crying like, ‘But she don’t represent us!’ Yes I do, b—h,” she concluded. “I represent America. I wanted a change, and that’s exactly what the f–k I did. And eat it up. I’m just that b—h. Eat it up with a spoon so y’all can get a mouthful.”
The song being referenced in Cardi B’s video is the viral hip-hop hit ‘WAP’, which features female rapper Megan Thee Stallion, and created controversy due to its provocative language and music video which caused a stir on social media.
Few conservative and republican individuals and groups criticised the song and used it as material to dissuade the public from listening to the rapper’s reasons for supporting President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President elect Kamala Harris.
“WAP” shattered multiple streaming records, became a viral dance on TikTok and earned Cardi B her fourth No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 since its release in August.
Last year, singer Billie Eilish took the award for Woman of the Year, while pop singer Ariana Grande took home the award in 2018. The event is set to be hosted by R&B singer Teyana Taylor on December 10th.
