Belcalis Almanzar, better known as Cardi B, has taken the music world by storm over the past few years.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2017 with her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow,” she’s become one of the biggest stars in hip hop. However, music wasn’t always Cardi’s path – before finding fame as a rapper, she had a few other careers in mind. Let’s take a look at some of the directions her life and career could have gone if she hadn’t chosen singing.
Reality TV Star
Many fans first discovered Cardi B through her starring role on the VH1 reality show Love & Hip Hop: New York. The show followed the personal and professional lives of hip hop artists and their entourages in New York City. Cardi, then going by her real name Belcalis, joined the cast in season 6 in 2015. Her brash and outspoken personality immediately stood out among the large ensemble. She was willing to get into drama with her co-stars and never held back about sharing intimate details of her personal life.
Cardi’s breakout on Love & Hip Hop opened doors for her in the entertainment industry. If she hadn’t pursued a music career, reality TV stardom could have been her path. She had all the makings of a huge breakout reality TV personality – she was charismatic, unpredictable, and willing to put her life out there for viewers. Producers would have loved to build entire shows around her dramatic storyline and over-the-top antics.
After proving herself as a breakout star on Love & Hip Hop, Cardi likely would have been offered her own spin-off show delving deeper into her personal life and relationships. She may have even transitioned into hosting reality competition shows like Flavor of Love or hosting reunion specials, where her quick wit and no-holds-barred interview style would shine. Reality TV provided a platform for Cardi to showcase her big personality before she was known as a musician. If she had stayed in that realm, she could now be one of the biggest names and highest paid stars on VH1.
Social Media Influencer
Even prior to her time on Love & Hip Hop, Cardi was building an audience and brand through social media platforms like Instagram, where she currently has over 90 million followers. In the years before she broke into the music industry, she utilized platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat to connect directly with her growing fanbase. She would post daily vlogs, makeup tutorials, and behind-the-scenes peeks into her personal life. Fans were drawn in by her colorful personality and raw honesty.
If Cardi hadn’t become a musician, social media influencing likely would have become her full-time career and top source of income. She had all the right attributes to be a huge star online – charisma, authenticity, a willingness to overshare details of her life. Major brands would have paid top dollar to partner with her for sponsored content due to her massive engaged following.
As one of the earliest adopters of using social platforms to build a fanbase, Cardi would have been a pioneer in the influencer marketing space. She may have focused on building multiple income streams through platforms like YouTube, where she could have launched lifestyle, beauty, or comedy channels. Major makeup, clothing, and accessory brands would have lined up to collaborate. With her strong work ethic and business savvy, Cardi could now be one of the highest paid influencers in the world, raking in millions each year through endorsement deals and sponsored posts.
Entrepreneur and Businesswoman
Even before finding fame, Cardi had dreams of being her own boss. Through her social media platforms, she often expressed a desire for financial freedom and independence. Some of her earliest posts discussed her goals of owning property and businesses. Even in her new career as a musician, Cardi has maintained that entrepreneurial spirit by launching successful business ventures on the side.
If music hadn’t panned out, Cardi’s drive and work ethic likely would have led her down an entrepreneurial path. She may have started by opening her own nail or hair salon in New York, leveraging her experience and existing clientele from her days working in salons. From there, she could have expanded into opening a boutique clothing store or lifestyle brand, inspired by her love of fashion and unique personal style.
Cardi’s business acumen was evident even in her early ventures – she launched a successful line of nail wraps called Nail Sunny in 2017 before her music career had fully taken off. If she had focused on business full-time, Cardi may have built a booming multi-million dollar cosmetics, clothing, or accessories brand by now. She has the promotional skills and understanding of social media marketing needed to grow brands in today’s digital age.
Cardi’s shrewd financial sense would have served her well as an entrepreneur. She likely would have reinvested profits from early businesses into real estate holdings and other investments. Given her work ethic and hustle, it’s easy to imagine Cardi now being a self-made business mogul, the founder and CEO of a lucrative lifestyle empire, and a highly sought after business partner, motivational speaker and investor. Music amplified her brand, but Cardi’s drive and personality would have led her to success in business with or without the charts.
Radio or Podcast Personality
With her quick wit and unfiltered commentary, Cardi could have found a home in radio or podcasting if she hadn’t chosen music. Her outspoken personality and ability to engage audiences would have been a perfect fit for the intimate medium of radio. Stations in major cities like Power 105 in New York would have jumped at the chance to have Cardi helm her own afternoon drive-time show.
Listeners would have tuned in daily to get Cardi’s hilarious hot takes on current events, pop culture, celebrity gossip, relationships and more. She has the gift of gab needed to expertly fill hours of airtime with entertaining stories and conversations. Cardi also has a knack for connecting with fans in a deeply personal way – on the radio, she could have built strong bonds with a loyal listener base through phone calls and interactions on social media.
If radio hadn’t panned out, Cardi likely would have found success in podcasting as well. She could have launched a chart-topping podcast delving into all aspects of her personal life, relationships, business ventures and more. With her massive social media following providing a built-in audience, a Cardi B podcast would have immediately shot to the top of the charts. Major networks like Spotify, Apple or SiriusXM would have paid top dollar for exclusive rights.
Whether on traditional radio or in the podcasting realm, Cardi’s charisma and colorful storytelling abilities would have translated perfectly to the audio format. If she hadn’t broken big as a musician, being a radio or podcast host would have been a natural career fit for her big personality and comedic talents to shine through.
Songwriter or Music Industry Executive
Even before launching her own music career, Cardi had a passion for the creative side of the industry. She’s spoken publicly about how she grew up obsessed with artists like Lil’ Kim and admired their bold styles and lyrics. If her own path as a performer hadn’t panned out, Cardi’s musical talents may have taken her behind the scenes.
She has proven natural skills as a songwriter through penning hits for herself and other artists. Major labels would have lined up to sign Cardi as an in-house writer, hoping to tap into her gift for crafting catchy melodies and hooks. Top stars across R&B, hip hop and pop would have recruited her for writing sessions, eager to add Cardi’s distinctive flair and storytelling abilities to their albums.
Cardi’s shrewd business sense also would have served her well in an executive role. She may have become an A&R rep, scout talent for labels, or even rise up to become a VP focusing on artist development and promotions. Her understanding of social media and how to break new acts would have been extremely valuable.
Even without becoming a performer herself, Cardi’s musicality and industry savvy indicates she still would have thrived behind the scenes in songwriting or an executive capacity. Her creative talents clearly shine through in many areas beyond just her own recordings.
The Possibilities Were Endless
As one of the most dynamic personalities in music and pop culture today, it’s easy to imagine Cardi B finding success through many different avenues if she hadn’t chosen a career in singing. Her hustle, charisma, and business acumen suggest she would have thrived in reality television, social media influencing, entrepreneurship, radio/podcasting, or behind the scenes in the music industry.
Whatever path Cardi may have taken, it’s clear she was destined for superstardom. Even before breaking into music, she displayed an innate understanding of how to build a brand and connect with audiences. Her work ethic, drive, and unwillingness to be held back by limitations would have served her well in any field. While we celebrate Cardi’s well-deserved success as one of the biggest rappers in the game today,
