(AllHipHop Features) Cardi B is one of the most brash, beloved figures on television, in a time when people are losing interest in traditional TV. Then again, there is very little that is traditional about the 24-year old star of Love And Hip-Hop: New York. The Bronx native has been able to navigate the treachery associated with reality TV as well as the rigors of social media. In this interview, Cardi B talks about Hip-Hop, Ratchet as an emotion, who she loves in Rap, and brings along her dentist Dr. Catrise Austin to discuss her remarkable transformation.
AllHipHop: We are all here in your world. Just saw the premier where you get your teeth fixed. On the social media side of things, that was a while ago. How do you feel about what you just saw?
Cardi B: I feel good, you know. I already knew what was gonna happen. I was there that day. (laughs) I real glad that it was Dr. Catrise (doing the dental work). She’s one of us. She’s one of our people. She practically changed my life.
How did you come to the conclusion that you should get your teeth fixed?
It was just something that people kept talking about. And I knew that I was going to do more things on TV. Like I have a lot more projects coming out. I didn’t want my teeth distracting people from my talents. So, I was like “f**k it.” Let me get my teeth fixed. People are like really…can’t talk sh*t now. They can’t…nothing.
Was it hurtful for you? I know social media is like a mob mentality, a lot of bullying going on.
It kinda do hurt me. It kinda do bother me, because I’m a woman. And you know, us women…as much as we’ll be like “I don’t give a fk,” we really do give a fk. Especially when it comes to how we look. Its a little painful. Sometimes, I see btches and they my opposition on TV…like the btch from today (on Love And Hip-Hop), and I don’t like her. But, I wouldn’t want people bullying her, because it hurts. I know how that s**t goes.
Lets talk about your music career a little bit. I was talking to my good friend today and I was like “Cardi B got some joints!” How did you get into the Hip-Hop world. Was that something you always wanted to do or is that just new to you?
It was something that I always wanted to do. I just never did it, because I didn’t have the funds for it. I never really had a manager. I never really had the time. When you grow up and sht, you realize you gotta pay bills and you gotta put your money in somewhere else. And rent and sht. Its like you give up on your dreams. And then, as I got a manager, he’s like “Yo! You always remixing sh*t. You actually pretty good like why don’t we get to it.” And I was like “Aiight.” And is actually better than I ever thought it would be.
Are you going for Nicki Minaj’s slot, that No. 1 spot? I mean, not even females, I mean in general.
I’m trying to be be the best at whatever it is I can be. I’m trying to make money – a lot of money – and I’m trying to be respected. Like I’m a very funny person and I know that my character can overshadow a lot of things, but that’s why I go so hard on my music. I want people to be like, “She’s funny. She plays around, but..her music is nothing to play with.” And that’s what I want. Respect. Money and Respect.
How much of that that we see on TV is really you? Here you’re pretty, cute and even quiet.
It really depends. When I am with my friends that can be me. When you are in a public place, you are gonna act a certain way. Being ratchet – it should be like an emotion. You turn it on and off. If its always on, then its bad. If its always off, then its back. You have to be balanced.
What do you have coming up next?
I actually have my mixtape coming up in December. Its called “Gangsta Btch Music Volume 2.” From that, the push is gonna be way more different than the first one. I’m very private. I don’t like to put things out. I like to surprise people. I love when I see my comments when people underestimate me. I love that. If people hype me up all the time, I’ma get too comfortable. So, I like when people say, “Oh, you ain’t sht. Ya 15 minutes of fame are gonna be up” – this and that. That makes me be like, “I gotta surprise for you.” (smiles)
Who do you want to work with?
I would like to work with anybody thats great I would like to work with big artists. I’m not going to name them, just in case they curve me. I don’t want to be like “I should have never shouted out that b*tch or that n***a out.” And anybody that is very unknown, I would like to work with as well – as long as they are great. A lot of people don’t know that my producer is an artist – Swift on Demand and I like working with him. If I can elevate him, that would be great. I like to work with people that’s talented, that work hard to get put on. Its a certain type of way and certain time of things you gotta do to get put on.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur’s conversation with Cardi B continues with dentist to the stars Dr. Catrise Austin. Check out the whole interview in the video above.
