Cardi B’s come-up reads like a 2010s Cinderella story. In just a handful of years, the sharp-tongued New Yorker went from viral Instagram phenom to one of hip-hop’s most exciting voices, establishing herself as a bossed-up feminist icon along the way. Born Belcalis Almanzar in the South Bronx in 1992, Cardi got a job as a stripper at 19, quickly building a social media following—in addition to her devotees at the club—for her viral videos and hilarious catchphrases. In 2015, she scored a spot on VH1’s drama-filled reality show u003ciu003eLove & Hip Hop: New Yorku003c/iu003e, where her brash personality turned her into an immediate fan favorite among her more established costars. That same over-the-top charisma made Cardi a natural fit for rap dominance; witty, unfiltered, and totally fearless, her early tracks doubled as mantras for self-made women who put themselves first. But it was “Bodak Yellow” that launched Cardi into superstardom; a trap anthem that rang out from cars and clubs throughout 2017, it begging you to shout along. Her 2018 debut album, u003ciu003eInvasion of Privacyu003c/iu003e, fused the Latin music of her childhood with hardcore New York hustlers' anthems, and squashed any doubts as to whether Cardi was here to stay. Meanwhile, her scene-stealing guest verses span the pop charts, from Bruno Mars (“Finesse [Remix]”) to Ozuna (“La Modelo”) to Maroon 5 (“Girls Like You”). Not bad for a self-proclaimed regular girl from The Bronx.