Is Cardi B the New Queen of Rap? She Shut Down LadyLand to Prove It

Cardi B didn’t just perform at LadyLand Festival 2025 — she owned it. With the Brooklyn sky rumbling and inflatable fists towering behind her, Cardi took the stage like a woman on a mission. And if the mission was to remind the world who’s really running rap right now… mission accomplished.

Held under the Kosciuszko Bridge, LadyLand is known for celebrating queer culture, nightlife, and raw musical energy — and Cardi gave the crowd all of that and more. From the moment she hit the stage in a black-and-white striped fit and towering heels, it was clear: this wasn’t just a performance, it was a coronation.

The Hits Just Kept Coming

Cardi’s setlist was stacked with the bangers that made her a household name:

• “Bodak Yellow”
• “Up”
• “WAP”
• “Money”
• “Bongos”
• “Bartier Cardi”
• …and more.

But what really had the audience in a chokehold was her live debut of “Outside,” the first single off her upcoming album Am I the Drama?. Cardi delivered the performance barefoot and full of fire, connecting with fans in a raw, almost spiritual way. The crowd screamed back the lyrics like they were gospel.

A Real Moment for the Culture

Before Cardi took the mic, drag royalty Scarlet Envy introduced her with flair — reinforcing LadyLand’s deep roots in LGBTQ+ culture. The crowd, soaked but electric, stayed locked in from start to finish. Cardi even joked about being a mom and getting older, but her energy on stage said otherwise. She moved like a woman in her prime, with nothing to prove — and yet, she proved everything.

LadyLand organizer Ladyfag reminded the audience that Cardi used to hit the NYC club scene back in her stripper days — and now, here she was, headlining a sold-out queer music festival, unshaken by the weather, haters, or industry noise.

Is She the Queen of Rap Now?

Let’s be real — the debate about who holds the rap crown never dies. But Cardi B’s LadyLand set wasn’t just fire… it was symbolic.

She didn’t just show up — she showed out. She blended club anthems, cultural pride, lyrical power, and crowd control like only a true heavyweight can.

With Am I the Drama? set to drop on September 19th, and a tour on the way, this moment may be the turning point in the Queen of Rap conversation. And if you ask that soaked-but-screaming LadyLand crowd?

It’s Cardi. No question.