Cardi B has quickly risen to become one of the biggest stars in hip hop and pop music. Since bursting onto the scene in 2017 with her breakthrough hit “Bodak Yellow,” she has released multiple successful albums and stayed consistently active on the touring circuit. However, with such a large discography and busy touring schedules that see her performing for fans around the world, it’s inevitable that some of Cardi B’s songs have yet to see a live performance.

While fans eagerly await seeing their favorite songs brought to life during a Cardi B concert, determining the exact list of songs she has never performed is difficult. Setlists can vary between tours and one-off shows, and personal preferences also play a role in an artist’s choices. However, by examining factors like song popularity, album focus of different eras, technical performance requirements, and Cardi’s personal tastes, we can make educated guesses about tracks that are most likely to still be unperformed based on her career so far.

Mixtape Deep Cuts

Some of Cardi B’s earliest songs that pre-date her major label debut studio album date back to her mixtape era. Released independently in 2014 and 2015, Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 featured raw, underground hip hop tracks showing off Cardi’s emerging style and persona. While mixtapes helped build her initial fanbase, they are less likely to see the spotlight during arena tours focused on promoting multi-platinum albums.

Standout mixtape tracks like “Caffeinated” and “Foreva” demonstrated Cardi’s charisma and storytelling ability in their early forms. However, with no major label promotion behind them and hailing from a time before she broke into the mainstream, these songs are less well-known to newer fans. Their obscure nature makes them less probable choices for high-energy live shows. Unless Cardi decides to dig deep into her discography for a rare treat, songs from her formative mixtape years may remain in the live performance vault.

Album Deep Cuts

Even hits-packed albums like 2018’s Invasion of Privacy and 2020’s Hips Don’t Lie still feature lesser-known tracks that got less radio play than lead singles. Standout album cuts like “She Bad” and “Thru Your Phone” showcase Cardi’s versatility and artistry but didn’t receive the single push that would cement them as fan favorites.

Tours in support of albums understandably focus on promoting the commercial successes and giving crowds what they want to hear. With limited stage time, deeper cuts risk getting left on the cutting room floor in favor of crowd-pleasing bangers. Unless Cardi decides to dig deeper than the standard radio hits for a particular show, album tracks without major commercial traction remain on the uncertain list of unperformed songs.

Feature Appearances

In addition to her own material, Cardi has lent her star power to numerous collaborations on tracks by other artists. From high-profile features on songs like “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5 to team-ups with rising stars, these tracks allow Cardi to flex her skills outside her own albums.

However, when performing her own headlining shows, the focus remains on her discography rather than other artists’. Unless a collaborative track like “Ring” with Kehlani became a major hit on its own, there’s less incentive to allocate precious setlist slots to songs Cardi is only a featured part of rather than the lead artist. Fans may have to wait for festival slots or one-off performances to see collaborations brought to the stage.

Technical and Logistical Challenges

Some songs also present technical or logistical challenges that could make them difficult to replicate in a live setting depending on the tour production. Tracks with complex backing tracks, elaborate choreography, costume changes, or other performance elements may be tricky to faithfully recreate night after night in an energy-packed concert.

Energetic songs like “Be Careful” with its intricate dance breaks and “I Like It” with its sampling of “I Like It Like That” by Pete Rodriguez & Los Picapiedras require precision execution. If certain elements can’t be feasibly recreated on a grand scale, Cardi may opt to leave the song in the studio for consistency. Technical challenges could potentially sideline ambitious tracks still waiting for their live debut.

Personal Preference and Mood

Ultimately, as the artist, Cardi B has final say in the direction of her live shows and the songs selected. Even if certain tracks aren’t major commercial hits, she may choose to include them if she personally connects with the material or thinks fans will appreciate deep cuts. Concert setlists aren’t just about repeating radio playlists but should also reflect an artist’s artistry and evolution.

Cardi may feel like performing older songs for nostalgia or testing out new material for feedback before studio versions are finalized. Her mood and energy levels on a given night could also influence potential surprises or diversions from standard setlists. With her dynamic personality and frequent social media interactions, there’s no telling when she may unexpectedly deliver a special performance of a song fans didn’t think they’d hear live. Personal preference means some unperformed tracks remain possibilities any time Cardi takes the stage.

Keeping Hope Alive

While Cardi continues actively touring the world and treating fans to spectacular shows, the list of songs likely remaining unperformed so far based on the factors above include mixtape tracks like “Caffeinated” and “Foreva,” album cuts “She Bad” and “Thru Your Phone,” collaborative features, and technically complex tracks. However, dedicated fans hold out hope each night could unveil surprises from Cardi’s deep catalog.

Social media allows them to live-tweet shows, compare setlists, and compile running lists of performed vs unperformed songs to analyze trends. Music news sites also report on major tours, and over time, the list of definitively unperformed tracks should shrink as Cardi’s career progresses. Fans eagerly await the day when even her most obscure songs finally see their moment in the spotlight of a live performance.

Until then, they’ll continue supporting Cardi’s artistry across multiple albums, streaming her discography both old and new, and hoping each tour brings them one step closer to hearing some of her lesser-known gems find new life on stage. With her unmatched work ethic and affinity for surprising fans, it’s only a matter of time before even the most unlikely of Cardi’s songs receive their live debut. For dedicated fans, the thrill of discovery is part of what keeps them anticipating her next performance and the possibility of witnessing uncharted musical territory come to life.