Cardi B’s highly anticipated return to the music scene with her second album, “Am I the Drama,” has ignited a storm of controversy, raising questions about artistic integrity, marketing strategies, and the very definition of an album in the modern music industry. After a seven-year hiatus since her debut, the rollout for “Am I the Drama” has been nothing short of spectacular, featuring major collaborations with retail giants like Walmart and DoorDash, designed to create immense buzz and drive engagement. However, one particular decision has overshadowed the glitzy promotions, leaving fans and critics sharply divided.

The inclusion of “WAP,” her colossal 2020 hit with Megan Thee Stallion, on a brand-new album released in 2025, has become the focal point of this contentious discussion. While some view it as a shrewd promotional tactic, others are decrying it as a calculated move to manipulate album sales and achieve swift certifications, potentially devaluing the artistic merit of the new body of work.

The immediate impact of this strategy was undeniable. Reports quickly surfaced from fan accounts, proudly proclaiming that “Cardi B’s Mi the Drama surpasses Drake’s Scorpion 2018, becoming the fastest album to ever be certified RIAA platinum.” This bold claim, while technically true, immediately raised eyebrows given the inclusion of a five-year-old juggernaut of a single. The intent, according to many observers, was clear: to create an illusion of instant success and foster a sense of “fear of missing out” (FOMO) among casual listeners. The logic is simple: if an album is already platinum on day one, it must be a must-listen, compelling more people to stream and purchase, thereby boosting first-week numbers.

The criticism intensified as comparisons were drawn to other artists who had attempted similar strategies. French Montana, for instance, faced significant backlash for including his hit “Unforgettable” on a later album. Despite the song’s undeniable success, fans felt it was a blatant attempt to inflate album sales, leading to accusations of a “scam.” The stark contrast in public perception—Cardi B’s move being celebrated by some, while French Montana’s was condemned—highlights a perceived double standard within the industry.

Defenders of Cardi B’s strategy, particularly some Drake fans, initially tried to draw parallels with Drake’s own album rollout for “Scorpion,” which included “God’s Plan.” However, this comparison quickly fell apart under scrutiny. “God’s Plan” was released in January 2018, with “Scorpion” following just five months later in June of the same year. This timeline is considered standard practice for including a recent hit single on an album, especially when the song is still actively climbing the charts. “WAP,” on the other hand, was released in 2020 and is now appearing on a 2025 album—a five-year gap that many argue makes it a fundamentally different scenario.

Cardi B herself addressed the controversy in a now-deleted tweet, attempting to justify her decision: “Wop and Up are two of my biggest songs my fans have been asking me to put them on an album stop the cap.” She further claimed that people search for these songs constantly and that they “deserve a home” on a project for easier access. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that fans were asking for a new album with new music in the years following “WAP,” not a compilation of old hits. Moreover, the ease of access to these already popular songs through streaming platforms makes the “deserve a home” argument less convincing.

Another point of contention raised by Cardi B was her decision not to submit “WAP” for the Grammys, attributing it to allowing “haters” to influence her. While this revelation surprised many, it doesn’t fully address the core issue of placing an older hit on a new album for perceived commercial gain. Some suggest that her focus on family life at the time may have influenced her priorities, but the current strategic move still remains under intense scrutiny.

The argument further boils down to the distinction between an artist and a personality. While Cardi B has openly stated her preference for being a performer and personality over strictly adhering to artistic conventions, this approach clashes with the expectations of fans who value artistic development and fresh material. The inclusion of a five-year-old track, not even labeled as a bonus track or part of a deluxe edition, on an album meant to showcase an artist’s evolution after such a significant break, leads many to question the artistic integrity of the project.

A compelling counter-example often cited is Kendrick Lamar’s release of “GNX” following his highly publicized beef with Drake. Despite having monumental diss tracks like “Not Like Us” and “Euphoria” that would have undoubtedly propelled “GNX” to massive first-week sales, Kendrick chose to release them separately, dedicating “GNX” to entirely new material. This decision earned him immense respect for prioritizing artistic vision over immediate commercial gratification, demonstrating a clear separation of eras and artistic intent.

While “WAP” and “Up” are undeniably massive hits, their inclusion on “Am I the Drama” feels less like an organic part of a new artistic statement and more like a calculated “commercial slop” designed to generate hype and artificially inflate initial sales figures. Even though these older tracks may not directly contribute to the first-week sales count according to industry rules, their presence undoubtedly fuels the promotional narrative that the album achieved platinum status remarkably quickly, thereby driving more streams and potential sales from casual listeners.

Early estimations for “Am I the Drama” suggest sales around 150,000 units, with approximately 50,000 attributed to streams and 100,000 to physical copies. While these numbers are respectable, some express disappointment, particularly regarding the physical sales given Cardi B’s significant fan base and the numerous variations of the album made available. This has led to comparisons with artists like Travis Scott, suggesting that Cardi B’s fan base might not be as robust in terms of direct album purchases, especially in an era where overall album sales are lower, despite high streaming consumption.

Ultimately, the long-term success of “Am I the Drama” and how Cardi B navigates this controversy will be crucial. The focus should shift from immediate first-week splashes, which can often be influenced by luck or pre-existing hit singles, to the album’s longevity and whether new tracks can emerge as enduring hits. The debate surrounding “WAP” on “Am I the Drama” underscores a broader conversation in the music industry about artistic authenticity, commercial pressures, and the evolving relationship between artists, their labels, and their eager fan bases.