3 hidden references in Cardi B’s new album, ‘Am I The Drama?’

Cardi B’s new album, Am I The Drama? is full of subtle references to her recent divorce and ongoing beef with another female rapper.

Am I The Drama?, its title taken from a popular meme, dropped on Friday, marking her first full-length release since her 2018 debut, Invasion of Privacy.

Following the release, fans have been adamantly sharing their views on the tracks, disses, and hidden references, the kind only true fans can spot.

Here, we’ve compiled the top three subtle nods the Grammy-winning rapper made in her new album.

“Trap Selena” reference

Cardi calls herself the “real trap Selena” on the song Magnet.

Fans know this is a callback, as she’s used “trap Selena” before (in MotorSport and Dinero). It’s an ode to Selena’s Tejano legacy while putting Cardi’s own twist as someone from the streets (“trap”), paying homage with her own flair.

Scarlet Envy quote reference

The album title Am I The Drama? echoes a viral phrase from RuPaul’s Drag Race, specifically Scarlet Envy’s quote, “Is she the drama?” from All Stars 6.

It’s subtle, but Drag Race fans caught it immediately, and Cardi’s team has acknowledged she’s a fan of Scarlet Envy.

Disses to rivals and exes

Cardi doesn’t hold back on the album, firing off sharp disses at rivals while reflecting on her own messy journey.

On tracks like Pretty & Petty and Magnet, she takes direct shots, declaring open war. Yet, songs such as Man of Your Word and Shower Tears expose her vulnerability, and though she never names Offset, the lyrics show she’s still processing heartbreak.

Fans can hear the mix of raw confidence and openness as Cardi balances calling out industry beefs with showcasing how much she’s grown since her Invasion of Privacy debut.

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