Cardi B defends including chart-toppers “WAP” and “Up” on her upcoming album Am I the Drama?, saying fans deserve a complete body of work

new album rollout has taken a fiery turn as the Grammy-winning rapper clapped back at critics who questioned her decision to include previously released hits “WAP” and “Up” on her long-awaited sophomore project Am I the Drama

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Both songs were originally released in 2020 and 2021 respectively, but Cardi revealed on social media that they will be part of the 23-track album dropping on 19 September.

Explaining her decision on X, the rapper stressed that her fans had always wanted the songs to be part of an album and deserved a complete collection.

“This will be the last and only time I’m gonna address this,” she wrote.

“WAP and Up are two of my biggest songs. My fans have been asking me to put them on an album, and people search for them on IOP all the time… they deserve a home.”

Cardi also said that the singles won’t contribute to first-week album sales, countering claims that the inclusion was a tactic to inflate performance metrics.

This album is for my fans, not the critics  they’ve waited, and I’m giving them everything, no shortcuts.

She added, “I let haters make me not submit WAP for the Grammys and at this point I’m giving my fans what they want… Do y’all say anything when all these artists pull out all their little tricks and ponies to sell out? Exactly… Now let them eat cake. Go cry about it!”

The Bronx rapper finally announced the album earlier this week, revealing a gothic-inspired cover that shows her in a dramatic red gown surrounded by crows.

The project arrives seven years after her record-shattering debut Invasion of Privacy.

In a dramatic video released on Instagram, Cardi hinted at the pain, growth and ambition behind the album.

“Seven years and the time has come,” she declared. “I’m shedding feathers and no more tears. I’m not back, I’m beyond. I’m not your villain, I’m your karma. The time is here. The time is now.”

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The first official single, “Outside”, dropped last Friday. In it, Cardi appears to fire lyrical shots at her estranged husband, Offset, as the pair continue their divorce proceedings.