Cardi B Reveals She Turned Down the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Cardi B has now joined the circle of artists who said “nah” to the Super Bowl halftime show. Even though she said no she made it clear that she’s not shutting the door forever. In fact, she shared that she’ll be ready when the timing feels right.
“I got asked to do the Super Bowl and I denied it,” Cardi told Billboard in her new cover story on Wednesday, September 3. “I feel like soon, if I get to do it, I’m going to have more hits. I’m going to be more experienced and I’m going to eat that up.”
That confidence is pure Cardi. When asked if she sees herself hitting that legendary stage in the future, she didn’t hold back: “Of course.”
This moment comes as Cardi gears up for the release of her second studio album Am I the Drama?, dropping Friday, September 19. For context, her only full project so far is the Grammy-winning Invasion of Privacy back in 2018. Fans have been waiting years for this follow-up, and Cardi knows the expectations are high.
Why Cardi B Said No to the Super Bowl… For Now
Cardi’s reasoning is simple: she’s not ready to bring out her ultimate Super Bowl-level show until she’s stacked up even more hits. The Bronx rapper, who already delivered culture-shifting tracks like “Bodak Yellow,” “Money,” and “I Like It,” explained that her catalog is about to grow stronger.
She kept her album details under wraps but teased the inclusion of her viral hits “WAP” and “Up.”
“Because my fans asked for it. My fans always be like, ‘Bitch, you better not [leave them off the album],’” she said. “My fans do not stop reminding me of the fact that I didn’t submit ‘WAP’ for the Grammys.”
Even though “WAP” and “Up” won’t count toward her album’s first-week sales, Cardi isn’t stressing. “At the end of the day, so what, you’re going to get 21 new songs,” she added.
Cardi B’s Place Among Super Bowl Conversations
Cardi isn’t the first major star to turn down the NFL’s big stage. Past artists like Rihanna and Jay-Z have famously passed on the opportunity, often for political or personal reasons. Cardi’s take is different—hers is all about timing and building her legacy the right way.
When Rihanna finally hit the halftime show in 2023, it was a defining cultural moment. Cardi’s hint suggests she wants her own time to shine just as big when the world is watching. And based on her track record, when she does accept the stage, it will be unforgettable.
Cardi B Clears the Air on Lawsuit Drama
Outside of music and Super Bowl talks, Cardi also recently scored a win in court. Earlier this week, she was found not liable in a lawsuit tied to a 2018 incident. A security guard, Emani Ellis, claimed Cardi assaulted her outside a medical office. But the jury didn’t buy it, and Cardi walked away clear.
This legal victory shows once again that Cardi is focused on her career, her music, and her next moves.
What’s Next for Cardi B
With Am I the Drama? dropping in just weeks, the anticipation is sky-high. Cardi has already proven she can move culture with just one album. Now, fans are ready to see her expand her empire, whether that’s chart-topping hits, global tours, or eventually the Super Bowl stage.