Cardi B has released her much-anticipated single “Imaginary Playerz,” which debuted on streaming platforms on August 15, 2023. The track serves as a follow-up to her earlier release “Outside” and is part of her upcoming sophomore album, set to drop in just over a month. The new single samples Jay-Z’s iconic “Imaginary Players” from his 1997 album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, and has already garnered attention for its connection to the hip-hop legend.
Earlier this week, Cardi revealed that she received a personal endorsement from Jay-Z himself. In an appearance on X Spaces, she expressed her relief and excitement, saying, “If he didn’t approve it, I probably wouldn’t even feel a certain type of way… But I’m glad that I came hard and he loved it.” This endorsement adds significant weight to the single, as Jay-Z is renowned for his influential role in the music industry.
On August 11, Cardi announced the release of “Imaginary Playerz” on social media, sharing an opulent cover art featuring herself in a luxurious white fur coat, seated on the front of a matching Rolls-Royce. She teased her followers with the caption, “Just a lil taste of the drama. IMAGINARY PLAYERZ THIS FRIDAY,” building anticipation among her fanbase.
As the release of her album, titled Am I the Drama?, approaches, it remains unclear if Cardi will drop another single before the album’s launch. “Outside,” the lead single from the album, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped both the Rhythmic Airplay and Rap Airplay charts, demonstrating her continued dominance in the industry.
The upcoming album will feature a total of 23 tracks, including previously released hits “Up” and “WAP.” Cardi has faced some criticism for including these older songs, but she defended her decision in a post on X in June. “This will be the last and only time I’m gonna address this,” she stated. “WAP and Up are two of my biggest songs… they deserve a home.”
As fans eagerly await the release of both “Imaginary Playerz” and the full album, Cardi B continues to prove her relevance and influence in the music scene. You can listen to “Imaginary Playerz” now on various streaming platforms.
