From an Internet sensation to performing on the world’s biggest stages, rapper Cardi B has quickly made a name for herself with her skills on the mic and her undeniable charisma.
From the VMAs to the BBMAs to the AMAs, Billboard has rounded up a list of Cardi’s most memorable awards show moments, including ones from her “Bodak Yellow” days. Watch them below:
Delivers Colorful “I Like It” Alongside J Balvin and Bad Bunny at 2018 AMAs
Bronx bombshell Cardi B torched the 2018 AMAs stage with a troupe of dancers during her spicy rendition of “I Like It.” As her beau Offset cheered and danced from the crowd, Cardi was electric in her colorful dress. Cohorts Bad Bunny (who rolled out in a shopping cart) and J Balvin pitched in to make it the standout performance of the Oct. 9 awards show.
Thanks Her Daughter at 2018 AMAs
“I really want to thank my daughter. I was so influenced when I was pregnant with her to be like, I gotta do this, I gotta show people wrong, prove people wrong,” Cardi said of Kulture Kiari after winning Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist at the AMAs. “They said I wasn’t gonna make it after I had a baby.”
Accepts award for best new artist at the 2018 iHeart Radio Music Awards
Cardi’s breakthrough hit “Bodak Yellow” won her the best new artist award at the 2018 iHeart Radio Music Awards, and her speech was filled with love for her family, haters and especially her fans. “I wanna thank my fans, Bardi Gang, because even when I’m wrong they be like, ‘She’s right,'” Cardi said.
Opens the 2018 Video Music Awards
Cardi’s magnetic energy made her the perfect artist to open the 2018 Video Music Awards. After her pregnancy this year, the world was excited to finally get a glimpse of baby Kulture, especially when the Bronx rapper was cradling a small pink blanket in her arms. “I got a little surprise for ya,” said Bardi, as she instead revealed her silver VMA moonperson baby.
Does E! Red Carpet interview at the 2018 Grammys
The E! Entertainment interview with Cardi B resulted in a plethora of internet memes (available for enjoyment below), along with the rapper’s famous quote about her excitement for being at the Grammys. “I got butterflies in my stomach and my…”
Cardi B trying to figure out what the hell Giuliana Rancic is talking about is a mood pic.twitter.com/C0phvVwSpd
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) January 29, 2018
When the mechanic is explaining what’s wrong with your car, but you know you’re leaving after the oil change. pic.twitter.com/dKUBdYmgJG
— liyah (@JaliyahB__) January 30, 2018
Says She’s Her Own Favorite Musician at the 2017 Video Music Awards
During a backstage interview with MTV, Cardi B was asked about her own favorite artists, to which she had the best personal responses. When asked about how she was dealing with the rise to stardom, she replied, “It feels great, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, Jesus, is you playing pranks on me, why is life going so good?!”
Talks to Charlamagne Tha God at 2017 VMAs Pre-Show
“I ain’t no princess though, I’m a gangster,” said Cardi during her chat with radio personality Charlamagne tha God, who proved to be a big fan of Cardi, just like the rest of us. “A lot of people didn’t believe in me, but this guy did, y’all.” Cardi also admitted that she was feeling “like a disco ball,” and was excited to have everyone from the Bronx watching her performance.
Bruno Mars and Cardi B Perform “Finesse” at the 2018 Grammy Awards
The ’90s-inspired “Finesse” remix by Bruno Mars with Cardi B spiced things up during the Grammys. Bardi’s two-piece color blocked ensemble was as bold as her performance and her presence at the show.
Reads Excerpt of Michael Wolff’s Fire and Fury at the 2018 Grammys
On the hunt for a GRAMMY Award of his own, James Corden auditions celebrities for the spoken word version of Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury.” pic.twitter.com/SjTobAbv2N
— The Late Late Show (Sp0o0o0oky Edition) (@latelateshow) January 29, 2018
Cardi B joined John Legend, Cher, DJ Khaled and even Hillary Clinton in James Corden’s auditions for the spoken word version of Fire and Fury, the book that outlined Trump’s behavior inside of the White House. After reading her excerpt about Trump’s daily dinner schedule, she concluded, “Why am I even reading this shit? I can’t believe this.”
Performs While Pregnant at the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards
As the baby bump grew, Cardi’s love for performing did not stop. At Billboard’s LMA’s, Ozuna and a very pregnant Bardi killed the stage during their performance of “La Modelo.” Wearing a form-fitting pink dress, this was one of the last live performances the Bronx rapper did before her baby was born.
Performs “Bodak Yellow” at the 2017 Music of Black Origin Awards
During the U.K.’s MOBO Awards, Cardi performed “Bodak Yellow” wearing a leather dress with oversized sleeves, along with matching thigh-high boots. Even her DJ could not resist grabbing his mic and hyping the rapper up during her bold performance. As confetti fell on stage, Cardi ended her performance by offering, “This is the real American dream, to be loved all over the world.”