Cardi B’s Bodega Baddie pop-up in New York City turned into a full-on takeover, and even she admitted her label didn’t see it coming.
The rapper announced the event less than a day before it went down, yet thousands of fans still packed into Washington Heights’ Cloud Deli—the neighborhood where she was born and raised.
While livestreaming the chaos, Cardi could be heard telling someone off-camera that Atlantic Records “underestimated” just how many people would show up.
A short clip from her livestream captured the moment and the massive crowd.
Cardi linked up with Fanum at her pop-up and seemed to suggest that she’d be hopping on a livestream with him.
After the pop-up, Cardi B dropped a video thanking everyone who pulled up to support her.
“That pop-up was insane,” she said. “I think we underestimated that pop-up, but that pop-up means a lot to me because—I always tell you guys this—Washington Heights is like my second hood. I used to walk the bridge to Highbridge [in the Bronx] from 155th over here. So for me to see so many people on my block for me…it means a lot to me, more than you guys could ever imagine.”
The Bodega Baddie pop-up was part of the rollout for Cardi’s highly anticipated sophomore album Am I the Drama?, set to drop Sept. 19. She’s been taking a hands-on approach to promo, even hitting the subway with a playful skit.
In the clip, Cardi boarded a train in a hoodie, sweatpants, and slides, carrying a box of her CDs. “Good evening, everybody,” she said. “I’m out here tryna sell these CDs. I’m trying to change my life around. I used to be a professional ballerina. I’m tryna make a better example for my kids.”
She continued moving through the car, urging passengers to support her: “If you could please buy my new album, Am I the Drama? … $9.99.”
For the caption, Cardi leaned into the bit even harder: “7 more days until I find out if I’m going to lose my home… Buy my album to help me save it.”
