Cardi B: Exploring Her Singing Beyond the Rap

Cardi B has taken the music world by storm since bursting onto the scene in 2017. Known primarily for her brash rapping style and catchy singles like “Bodak Yellow” and “WAP,” Cardi B has proven herself as one of the biggest stars in hip hop. However, many fans may not be as familiar with the full extent of her vocal abilities beyond her rapping. While high notes may not be Cardi B’s signature strength, she has shown glimpses of her singing talent in some of her songs and live performances. In this article, we will take a deeper look at Cardi B’s vocals to gain more insight into her singing voice and range.

Reaching for Higher Notes

Some fans have picked up on moments in Cardi B’s discography where she appears to reach for higher notes that may push the limits of her natural range. One example is her performance of “I Like It” with J Balvin and Bad Bunny at the 2018 American Music Awards. During the climactic chorus, Cardi hits a noticeably strained high note while belting out “I li-i-i-ike it.” Videos of this moment online often highlight just how high the note is for Cardi and how she seems to struggle to reach it cleanly.

Another instance is her 2019 Grammys performance of “Money.” Toward the end of the first chorus, she holds out the word “money” for an extended moment, reaching for a high note but wavering slightly flat. Fan compilations on YouTube have called out this as one of Cardi B’s “high note fails.” However, it’s worth noting that live performances come with unique challenges compared to studio recordings. Hitting high notes perfectly under the pressure of a major awards show is no easy feat.

Perhaps the most discussed example is from her 2020 single “WAP” featuring Megan Thee Stallion. During the bridge, Cardi holds out the word “wet” for a drawn out moment. While impressive in its ambition, her voice noticeably cracks on the high note. Videos analyzing this specific part of the song often debate if she was truly straining the limits of her range or simply lacked breath support. Regardless of the reason, it’s clear high belting isn’t effortless for Cardi.

These instances show that while Cardi B is willing to push her vocals for big performances, hitting crystal clear high notes may require more practice and training to fully accomplish consistently. Her natural strengths seem to lie more in the lower and mid ranges based on these reaching moments sparking online discussion.

Cardi B’s Singing Voice Beyond Rap

To better understand Cardi B’s singing abilities separate from rapping, it’s worth exploring songs where she takes on a more prominent melodic role. One track that really showcases her softer vocals is her feature on Bruno Mars’ “Please Me.” On the sensual chorus and bridge, Cardi sings with a breathy tone that lets her voice shine without straining for high belts.

Her vocals on the Kanye West assisted track “Hot Shit” also allow her melodic side to shine through. On the hook and verses, she smoothly rides the melodies with a sultry delivery that plays to her strengths in the mid-range. These lower register vocals are where her tone is full and controlled without seeming pushed.

A song where Cardi fully takes the reins as a lead vocalist is her feature on G-Eazy’s “No Limit.” On the hook and verses, she carries the melody confidently without much rapping involved. Her breathy tone and control in the mid-low range is on full display here, proving she has skills as a melodic singer separate from her rapping flow.

These tracks provide some of the best examples of Cardi B flexing her singing muscles on their own terms. While ambitious high notes may not come naturally, she has a strong sense of melody and control in the mid and lower registers that allow her vocals to shine through smoothly. With more training and practice focusing on breath support, her range could potentially expand even further as well.

Analyzing Cardi B’s Vocal Range

While no official vocal analysis of Cardi B’s range exists, fans online have attempted to determine her capabilities based on her studio recordings and live performances. Most agree her comfortable tessitura, or the part of her range she can sustain comfortably, lies within the lower and mid-range registers.

She seems most at home around A3 to F5. Within this area, she can ride melodies with ease and control without straining. Notes below A3 come across as breathy and deep, playing to her sultry tone. Above F5 is where her vocals start to thin out and waver as she reaches the top of her natural abilities.

The highest verified note she’s hit cleanly is a G5 on “I Like It” in studio recordings. Live, she’s managed G5s and occasionally an A5, but with less consistency. Anything above that seems to require a major vocal push beyond her comfort.

So while not an extensive 4 octave range, Cardi B’s estimated 2 octave range from A3-F5 is more than adequate for her style. It allows her to carry melodies and hooks with fullness while dipping into lower belts. With practice focusing on breath support, she may gain more stability in her upper register as well. But her strengths clearly lie in expressing herself smoothly in the mid-range.

Exploring Her Growth as a Vocalist

It’s also worth noting Cardi B is still relatively new to the music scene and her vocal skills seem to be continually evolving. Comparing her early mixtape songs to her recent singles, there is a marked improvement in breath control, pitch stability, and confidence in her tone. She appears to be training her voice and expanding her abilities with each new release.

On tracks like “Lick” from her first mixtape Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1, her rapping was the main focus with raw vocals that hadn’t been refined. But on her sophomore album Invasion of Privacy and recent singles, she has taken more risks with her singing and shown steady growth. Her performance skills are also leveling up, as evidenced by her hosting stint on SNL where she flexed new vocal muscles.

It’s clear Cardi B still has room to develop technically. But she is already achieving superstardom through her charisma and style even while still honing her craft. With continued lessons and practice, there is no telling how much further her range and abilities may expand over her career. For now, she is smartly playing to her strengths in storytelling and mid-range melody rather than straining for high belting beyond her means. Cardi B’s vocals have come a long way already and seem poised to evolve even more.

In conclusion, while high notes may not be Cardi B’s forte, exploring her discography and live performances reveals she has more singing talent than many fans realize. She has proven herself as a skilled melodic vocalist, especially in her comfortable mid-range. While ambitious high notes spark online discussion, Cardi B is still growing into her abilities with each new release. By focusing on her natural strengths like breathy lower belts and smooth mid-range control, she is achieving superstardom as one of rap’s leading ladies. With more training, her range could potentially expand even further as well. Overall, Cardi B continues to impress with her vocal evolution beyond just her renowned rapping flow.