Cardi B channels her inner lioness as she defends her children in one of her most emotional interviews yet. Following feuds with Nicki Minaj and BIA, the Am I the Drama? star talks about motherhood, strength, and staying true to herself — proving that no one messes with a mother’s love
Cardi B has never been one to hold back, especially when it comes to her children. The Grammy-winning rapper, now gracing the cover of PAPER Magazine, has once again set social media ablaze after one of her most candid and emotional interviews to date. Fierce, unapologetic, and raw, Cardi opened up about the fire that drives her to protect her family, even if it means going to war online.
“This week I showed everyone that I can become the wildest version of myself when it comes to my kids,” she said. “I never had to do that before, but I did it, and I honestly felt like a lioness. It was one of the hardest moments of my life as a mother. It showed me how strong I am and that if I have to, I’ll go to hell for my children. Mentally, physically, spiritually—whatever it takes. I don’t care.”
Her words come after a string of public feuds with Nicki Minaj and BIA that have dominated headlines in recent weeks. What began as music-related jabs quickly evolved into a heated back-and-forth involving family and motherhood, something Cardi B refuses to compromise on. Her message was clear: cross the line by mentioning her kids, and she will fight back.
The rapper, who is currently pregnant with her fourth child, said her instincts as a mother often take over before she even has time to think. “When someone comes for my family, I react. It’s not calculated; it’s just who I am. I’m protective, and I won’t sit back while people mention my children online.” Fans were quick to connect this statement to her ongoing tensions with Nicki Minaj, whose indirect references to Cardi’s parenting reignited a long-running rivalry between the two icons. Their feud reached a fever pitch this fall, with social media users analyzing every lyric, live stream, and tweet as if decoding a modern hip-hop soap opera.
Despite the chaos, Cardi insists that her response wasn’t about ego but love. “It was a tough moment, but it reminded me who I am and what I stand for,” she said. “I’ll always fight for my family, no matter what it costs me.”
Adding to the drama, Cardi also took aim at BIA following the release of her new album Am I the Drama?. On one of the album’s most talked-about tracks, Pretty & Petty, she raps, “Name five BIA songs with a gun to your head—boom, I’m dead,” later mocking her rival again with the line “diarrhea BIA.” The diss instantly went viral, reigniting a feud that had been simmering since last year.
Cardi explained that her response wasn’t random. “She mentioned my kids first, in that diss track SUE MEEE?,” she told The Breakfast Club. “You don’t talk about my children and expect me to stay quiet. I could’ve ignored it, sure, but the internet never forgets. When my kids grow up and see I stayed silent while someone mentioned them, what would that say? That I was the bigger person? Nah. I’ll tell them, ‘You see how I handled it?’” Her words echoed across platforms, with fans divided between praising her honesty and questioning her approach. Still, for Cardi, the matter was closed. She said what she needed to say, on her own terms, in her own style.
While BIA has chosen not to continue the feud, focusing instead on promoting her album BIANCA, Cardi remains unbothered. “I’m at peace because I defended what matters to me,” she said. “People can say whatever they want, but I know why I did it.”
Beyond the controversies, Cardi’s new album Am I the Drama? has proven to be one of the biggest successes of her career. Released in September, it quickly soared to the top of the Billboard 200, cementing her position as one of the most influential artists of her generation. Critics praised the record’s balance between humor, rage, and reflection, calling it “the purest version of Cardi B yet.” From the thunderous beats to the sharp one-liners, every track feels like a glimpse into her chaotic yet confident mind.
And even though she’s expecting her fourth child, Cardi has no plans to slow down. Her upcoming Little Miss Drama Tour is set to begin in February, just months after giving birth. “I feel more alive on stage than anywhere else,” she said. “That’s where I get to be free, to show all my sides—the funny, the angry, the proud, the mother, all of it.” Fans are already speculating what surprises she’ll bring to the tour, with many predicting a mix of emotional tributes and signature Cardi energy.
What sets Cardi apart isn’t just her talent or her chart success—it’s her complete authenticity. Whether she’s clapping back on social media, crying during interviews, or laughing on live streams, she never hides who she is. She’s loud, vulnerable, loving, and unpredictable, and that combination has made her one of pop culture’s most fascinating figures. “Being a mom made me stronger than anything else in my life,” she admitted. “It taught me patience and compassion, but also how to fight smarter. When people underestimate me, I think about my kids. That’s my fuel.”
Her PAPER Magazine cover embodies exactly that: power and softness, glamour and grit. Behind the bold makeup and designer outfits is a woman who is still learning, still growing, still protecting what she loves most. Cardi B’s words may spark controversy, but beneath every headline is a simple truth—she’s a mother first.
As she prepares for her tour and continues promoting Am I the Drama?, Cardi seems more grounded than ever. The fame, the feuds, the flashing lights—none of it compares to the pride she feels when she looks at her family. “I’ll always protect them,” she said. “That’s not drama. That’s love.”
In a world where social media thrives on chaos, Cardi B has found a way to turn hers into a message of strength. She doesn’t pretend to be perfect; she doesn’t hide the fire that burns inside her. Whether people love her or hate her, one thing remains certain—Cardi B will always speak her truth, and she’ll fight like hell for those she loves.
