Recording Academy voters delivered a major milestone for Cardi B on November 7, 2025, nominating her powerhouse single “Outside” for Best Rap Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, marking her sixth nod in the category and cementing her as the most-nominated female rapper ever in rap performance fields.

The Bronx native, born Belcalis Almánzar, reacted instantly on X with a screenshot of the nominees list, captioning it “All I had was 16 dollars and a dream”—a raw callback to her humble beginnings that resonated across social media, garnering millions of likes and retweets within hours. Fans hailed the post as peak Cardi authenticity, with one viral reply noting it perfectly encapsulated her rags-to-riches narrative.

“Outside,” the lead single from her upcoming sophomore album Am I the Drama? (released post-eligibility window), dropped over summer 2025 and quickly became a street anthem, blending Cardi’s signature bravado with infectious production. Though the full project missed the August 30 cutoff, the track’s standalone impact secured its spot alongside fierce competition: Clipse’s Kendrick Lamar-assisted “Chains & Whips,” Doechii’s breakout “Anxiety,” Kendrick’s “TV Off” featuring Lefty Gunplay, and Tyler, The Creator’s “Darling, I” with Teezo Touchdown.

This latest nomination extends Cardi’s impressive Grammy resume, which includes a 2019 win for Best Rap Album with Invasion of Privacy—making her the first solo female rapper to claim that honor. Her previous Best Rap Performance nods span “Bodak Yellow” (2018), “Be Careful” (2019), “Clout” with Offset (2020), “Up” (2022), and “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion (2021). No other woman in hip-hop has matched her six in this high-profile rap category.

The 2026 nominations, announced via livestream on November 7, saw Kendrick Lamar dominate with nine nods overall, including multiple rap categories, while newcomers like Doechii racked up five. Clipse earned five as veterans making a comeback, underscoring a strong year for rap resurgence.

Cardi’s nod arrives amid a packed personal slate: finalizing her long-awaited second album, navigating pregnancy rumors, and balancing motherhood to Kulture and Wave. Yet she wasted no time celebrating, reposting fan tributes and engaging with Bardi Gang on Instagram Stories.

Industry watchers note “Outside” fits the Academy’s recent pattern of rewarding bold, culturally resonant tracks—much like Cardi’s past nominees. Peaking high on charts and dominating playlists, it represents her unfiltered evolution post-hiatus.

Fellow nominees reacted with grace: Doechii called her five nods “bedroom magic come true,” while Clipse kept it simple with “5.” Yungblud, up in rock categories, filmed a teary video exclaiming “So lucky to do this.”

The 2026 Grammys introduce two new categories—Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover—bringing the total to 95. Final voting runs December 12, 2025, to January 5, 2026, with winners revealed live from Crypto.com Arena on February 1.

Cardi, now 33, has transformed from reality TV breakout to global force, amassing over 11 total Grammy nominations. Her response struck a chord, reminding fans of the grind behind the glamour.

As one analyst put it: Cardi’s nod proves staying power in a male-dominated field. Bardi Gang trends worldwide, predicting a win to match her record.

The ceremony, hosted TBD, airs on CBS and Paramount+. With rap heavyweights stacked, February promises fireworks.

Cardi’s journey—from $16 dreams to Grammy royalty—continues inspiring a generation.