Met Gala

Almost seven years after she first rapped the proposition in her 2017 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Bartier Cardi” (No. 14, with 21 Savage), Billboard has the inside on scoop on what it’s really like to party with Cardi B.
Hours after stunning the Met Gala‘s green carpet with a massive black ball gown — accented with emerald jewelry and a gagged of tuxedo-clad red carpet assistants, no less — Cardi B headed downtown to Silencio to host her own afterparty, in partnership with Revolve + Fwrd. Led by creative director Kendall Jenner, Fwrd is an online luxury fashion destination that operates under Revolve Group, an e-commerce fashion retailer.

Known for her dramatic trains, Cardi’s Met Gala green carpet look played smartly on the dark undertones of the event’s “Garden of Time” dress code. This year, the Costume Institute celebrated their spring exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” with a charity ball co-hosted by Emmy winner Zendaya, Billboard 200 chart-toppers Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez and BAFTA nominee Chris Hemsworth. For her afterparty ensemble, Cardi opted for a red, body-sculpting number that evoked the classic sensuality of Jessica Rabbit, billowing retro curls and all.

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The “WAP” rapper’s red-hot corset dress paired well with the décor for the night; red lights illuminated the room with simple decals announcing her presence adorning the otherwise bare walls. While the dancefloor remained packed thanks to the efforts of DJ Nicky Rizz and DJ SpinKing, the night’s biggest stars remained in various sections around the venue. Among those in attendance were Grammy winner Leon Thomas III, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, Hennessy Carolina, Kamari Bonds from Netflix’s Twentysomethings: Austin and, of course, hip-hop power couple Offset and Cardi B.

Fresh off wrapping his first headlining U.S. tour — which he launched in support of 2023’s Set It Off LP — Offset donned distressed denim and a bead-embellished gray shirt, opting for a more casual vibe to complement his wife’s exuberant glamour. Hennessy Carolina, Cardi’s sister, wore a stunning hooded black gown that featured perhaps the night’s most daring neckline.

With an open bar and hors d’oeuvres ranging from caviar-topped potato chips to crispy french fries, Cardi definitely threw quite the function. Although she did not treat the crowd to her trademark quips or any remarks at all — in fairness, the intense camera flash whenever she emerged was certainly overwhelming — the DJs kept the energy high with sets that centered on the rich R&B and hip-hop legacies of New York City, Cardi B’s hometown. Of course, several of her Hot 100 hits got spun, including 2017’s “No Limit” (No. 4, with G-Eazy & A$AP Rocky), 2019’s Grammy-nominated “Clout” (No. 39, with Offset), 2022’s “Shake It” (No. 51, with Kay Flock, Dougie B & Bory300), and 2023’s “Put It On Da Floor Again” (No. 13, with Latto) and “Bongos” (No. 14, with Megan Thee Stallion).

Surprisingly, both DJs appeared to have shied away from the Kendrick Lamar and Drake diss tracks that have dominated both streaming and cultural conversations for the past few weeks. For what it’s worth, the songs that really got Cardi moving weren’t a part of that battle or even her own catalog; her favorite tracks of the night included Master KG, Nomcebo Zikode & Burna Boy‘s “Jerusalema,” A$AP Ferg‘s “Work,” Bobby Shmurda‘s “Hot N—a,” and Fivio Foreign‘s “Big Drip.” You can take the girl out of NYC, but you can’t take NYC out of the girl!

Monday night’s flashy bash continues a busy year for Cardi B. She’s released several singles in anticipation for the launch of her sophomore album campaign, including her Missy Elliott-nodding “Like What (Freestyle)” (No. 38), “Enough (Miami)” (No. 9) and “Puntería” (No. 72, with Shakira).

The verdict is in: ain’t no party like a Cardi B party!