Cardi B teased new music at an unexpected Miami performance on the night of New Year’s Eve. Following her concert on the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” broadcast, New York musical talent Cardi B made an unexpected appearance at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, where she performed previously unreleased music. Guests of the club witnessed Cardi B rapping along with an unnamed, previously unknown track. Video of the event captures Cardi B performing confidently in a one-piece jumpsuit with a shining diamond-like pattern on the front, glistening thigh-high boots, and matching fingernails.
Fans have eagerly awaited any hint of new music. Cardi B’s debut LP, Invasion of Privacy, was released to wide acclaim five years ago. Debuting at number 1 on the Billboard 200 and earning quadruple platinum certification, Invasion of Privacy featured 13 songs. It included artists like 21 Savage, Bad Bunny, Chance The Rapper, J Balvin, Kehlani, Migos, SZA, and YG. Since then, however, news of a follow-up has been slow.
Concrete information about new music has only come recently. In September 2023, Cardi B told HOT 97 that her official follow-up would be released in 2024. “I should already start talking about the album because I’m going to be putting it out very soon,” she said. “I’m just holding it because I feel like I’m missing a couple of things.”
The surprise New Year’s Eve performance in Miami might have been the first of new music from the upcoming album.
This performance, along with her appearance on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” went on despite Cardi B’s temperamental health. She had taken to Instagram to describe feeling under the weather, saying in a posted story, “I’m fighting for my life right now. I’m literally fighting for my life right now. Like, I am so sick. And I don’t understand ’cause I was in New York going out with sweaters, toes out, everything. I was good. As soon as I land in Miami, bro… I be telling people. I am allergic to Miami. I’m allergic to Florida. I’m allergic to the state.” In describing her symptoms, she said she was suffering from a cough and tightness in her chest.
Fans are grateful that the show went on despite this, both her televised New Year’s Eve appearance and the surprise performance at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Cardi B’s performance was commanding, confident, and fun. She asked for a shot of Hennessy on stage, joked about the challenges she’d overcome the past year, voiced excitement for 2024, and spoke affectionately to her daughter who was watching from offstage. The power of the performance, alongside Cardi B’s engagement with the crowd, made it clear that the talent remains in her artistic prime as she prepares to debut her new album sometime this year.
On a nearby stage, Offset, Cardi B’s on-again-off-again paramour and husband, performed his own New Year’s Eve set. Fans of the artists enjoyed the drama of their close performances, and Cardi B briefly threw fuel on the fire when she announced on Twitter that they were “vibing” and spent the night together afterward. She was quick to clarify that they are not back together again, however, so it remains for fans to decide if the night was more about the music or the drama.
