GerryPThaDJ Weighs In: Cardi B’s Album Already Double Platinum… But the Internet’s Mad?

Let’s talk facts, not feelings.

Cardi B just flipped the music industry on its head—again. Her upcoming album Am I the Drama? doesn’t even drop until September 19, and it’s already 2× Platinum from pre-orders and streams alone. That’s a rare flex most artists only dream of. But instead of celebrating, the internet’s mad. Why? Because Cardi added “WAP” and “Up” to the tracklist.

Yes. The same “WAP” that broke the internet in 2020 and topped the charts for weeks. The same “Up” that ran radio in 2021 and kept her foot on the gas.

Now the haters are calling it a “cheat code,” saying it’s lazy to add previously released hits to a new album. But here’s the twist: neither of those songs appeared on her debut album Invasion of Privacy. So technically? She’s just closing a chapter that was never officially documented.

Let’s be real…

Cardi’s not the first artist to pull this move. Drake does it. Nicki’s done it. Beyoncé and Kanye have used older tracks to anchor newer projects. It’s part of the game—and a smart one at that. When an artist has record-breaking hits in their pocket, why not bring them home where they belong?

The internet can be quick to cry “streaming scam,” but here’s the truth: the music business is exactly that—a business. Cardi’s playing chess while a lot of folks are still playing Connect Four. She’s making sure her legacy includes the records that defined this era, and the RIAA certification before the album even drops? That’s strategic dominance.

From a DJ’s perspective…

As a curator of the culture and a man who spins records weekly across the nation on Bootcamp Radio—I see this differently. If you’ve ever tried to build momentum with a new album, you know how tough it is in today’s climate. Attention spans are short, loyalty is shaky, and one wrong rollout can tank everything.

So when an artist uses proven hits to bridge the gap between old success and new material? That’s not “cheating”—that’s protecting the vibe. And for DJs like me? It gives us room to move between nostalgia and what’s next, without losing the room.

Final Word

Love her or hate her, Cardi B is setting the tone. She’s already got her numbers. She’s already shifting the narrative. And she’s doing it her way.

So instead of nitpicking her strategy, maybe it’s time to step back and recognize what’s really happening: Cardi isn’t just releasing an album… she’s building a legacy. And sometimes that means owning every part of your journey—WAP, UP, and everything in between.

— GerryPThaDJ

@bootcampradioworldwide | @fab945thehitz

Streaming culture, one truth at a time.