Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, better known by her stage name Cardi B, has taken the music industry by storm in recent years. The Bronx-born rapper has quickly become one of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, known for her unapologetic lyrics, bold persona, and chart-topping hits.

 

But Cardi B’s rise to fame didn’t happen in a vacuum. Her distinct musical style and lyrical content can be traced back to the influences of her parents, who played a formative role in shaping the artist she is today.

Cardi B’s father, Carlos Almánzar, hails from the Dominican Republic. Growing up, he exposed his daughter to the vibrant rhythms and infectious energy of Dominican music, including genres like merengue and bachata. This early exposure to Latin music would go on to have a significant impact on Cardi’s own sound.

“My dad loved music, he always had music playing in the house,” Cardi B has recounted. “I grew up hearing all those Dominican beats and I think that’s where I get my musical flair from.”

Cardi’s mother, Clara Almánzar, also had a profound influence on her daughter’s artistic development. Clara was an avid consumer of hip-hop and R&B, filling their home with the sounds of artists like Tupac, Nas, and Mary J. Blige. It was this exposure to the raw, unapologetic style of East Coast hip-hop that would ultimately inspire Cardi’s own lyrical approach.

 

“My mom was always bumping that real hip-hop, that street shit,” Cardi B has said. “That’s where I learned how to be direct and authentic in my music.”

In her breakout single “Bodak Yellow,” for example, Cardi B unleashes a torrent of bravado-filled lyrics that reflect the bold, no-nonsense attitude she cultivated growing up in her household. Lines like “I don’t dance now, I make money moves” and “I don’t gotta dance, I make money move” channel the same raw energy that permeated the hip-hop her mother listened to.

 

But Cardi B’s music also showcases her Latin roots, with the infectious rhythms and melodic flourishes of her Dominican heritage woven throughout her catalog. Songs like “I Like It” and “Press” seamlessly blend hip-hop with Latin pop and reggaeton, creating a signature sound that is uniquely Cardi B.

“I’m proud of my background, my culture, and I want that to come through in my music,” Cardi has stated. “That’s what makes me different, that’s what makes me Cardi.”



Ultimately, Cardi B’s meteoric rise to fame can be attributed, in part, to the rich tapestry of musical influences imparted by her parents. The blend of her father’s Latin rhythms and her mother’s raw hip-hop sensibilities has culminated in a sound that is both refreshingly unique and undeniably captivating. As Cardi B continues to dominate the charts and cement her status as a cultural icon, it’s clear that her parents’ legacy will continue to echo through her music for years to come.