Joe Budden Trashes Cardi B's 'Imaginary Playerz', Didn't Do Jay-Z Beat Justice
Joe Budden Cardi B Should've Left Jay-Z's Beat Alone!!! 👎🏼🚳
Joe Budden is firing off a completely different opinion about Cardi B's new song than what Joey Bada$$ gave us the other day -- he thinks it stinks!!!
On the latest episode of "The Joe Budden Podcast," the "Pump It Up" rapper didn't give Cardi any credit for tackling Jay-Z's 1997 "Imaginary Player" track ... in his book, some classic beats shouldn't be touched if you don't have the rapping ability.
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Cardi doubled down yesterday with another music video for the song but Joe says the props go to her ghostwriters and that's where it stops. He ripped Cardi for having a choppy, punched-in flow while he feels Jay's OG track was smooth like butter.
Joey Bada$$ told TMZ Hip Hop he was impressed with some of Cardi's bars and noted she upheld her New York lineage.
Cardi B "Imaginary Playerz" on Biggie Smalls (Junior Mafia) "Get Money" pic.twitter.com/TM7KliqkA8
— BLACCMASS (@blaccmassxx) August 15, 2025 @blaccmassxx
The 'JBP' praised internet producer Blaccmass' mashup that swapped in The Notorious B.I.G. and Lil Kim's "Get Money" instrumental -- originated by Ez Elpee -- as a better option for Cardi's vocals.
Cardi B says she’s NOT pregnant despite rumors in new Instagram live:
— FLAMIN’ POP! (@FlaminPop) August 15, 2025 @FlaminPop
“No I’m just out of breath cause I got asthma and I can stab, shut the f*ck up.”pic.twitter.com/5D0DwAXepV
Cardi's been on the prowl promoting her upcoming album "Am I The Drama?" and also had to lay into some pregnancy rumors amid a recent press run.