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Cardi B becomes first female rapper to be diamond certified with 'Bodack Yellow'

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 3/9/21

Cardi B is ubiquitously considered a hip-hop queen, but her ascension began not that long ago with her 2017 single "Bodak Yellow". Now her first-ever Atlantic Records release has given her a sole seat atop one particular throne.

The Grammy winner is the first woman rapper with a track to hit certified diamond status:

Congratulations are in order for Cardi B as she becomes the first female rapper to earn a diamond single as “Bodak Yellow” is certified diamond!! #CardiB|| @iamcardib pic.twitter.com/CPNOzPEFxj
— BET (@BET) March 9, 2021

The magnitude of "Bodak Yellow" and its impact on pop culture is difficult to articulate, but one way to illustrate it is to simply say the official music video has amassed nearly one billion views on YouTube:

Cardi shared a video Monday night (warning explicit language) explaining that she was exhausted from rehearsing all day and did not feel like going to meet up with her Atlantic team, but the 28-year-old was ultimately happy with the "crazy surprise":

You guys are going to be so happy .I’m soo happy!!! pic.twitter.com/vJi0lORn3k
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) March 9, 2021

"I just wanna say thank you guys so much," she said, addressing her fans at the end of the video, "because without you guys, this wouldn't happen. This really made my day and really uplifted me for this crazy performance."

Cardi was alluding to her performance at the upcoming 63rd Annual Grammy Awards this Sunday.

"Bodak Yellow" found a home on the stacked track list for Invasion of Privacy, Cardi's debut studio album that claimed the Grammy for best rap album in 2018. Since then, the Bronx native continued making waves with singles such as "WAP" featuring Megan Thee Stallion and "Up," released last month as anticipation grows for her sophomore album.

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