Outside

Cardi B ended a nearly year-long hiatus from solo material on June 20, 2025, dropping "Outside" as the lead single from her second studio album, Am I the Drama? Produced by Charlie Heat, HeyMicki, and DJ SwanQo, the track is built on heavy 808s, sharp hi-hats, and a minimalist instrumental that lets Cardi's New York flow take center stage. The lyrics flex wealth, status, and confrontation with razor-sharp wordplay, earning comparisons to her earlier hits like "Bodak Yellow."

The song debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Cardi B her thirteenth top-ten hit and making her the first female rapper to land a top-ten debut since her own "Enough (Miami)" the year prior. It also topped the Rhythmic Airplay chart (her sixth number one) and the Rap Airplay chart (her seventh number one). In the UK, it entered the Official Singles Chart at number 14, becoming her eighth top-20 single there. The track spent 22 weeks on the Hot 100 and earned a 2x Platinum certification from the RIAA by March 2026.

Critics greeted the single with widespread acclaim. Pitchfork called it "a masterclass in controlled aggression," while Rolling Stone described it as "a triumphant return." The Guardian gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and the song holds a Metacritic score of 82, indicating universal acclaim. It earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, extending Cardi's record as the female rapper with the most nominations in that category.[edit]