In 2015, Cardi B and DJ Self were both cast members of VH1’s reality TV hit, “Love & Hip Hop New York.” At the time, DJ Self was more established in the music industry than Cardi B due to his work at New York-based radio stations and deejaying at major hip-hop events. Cardi B, on the other hand, was a former stripper who was able to gain a large social media following due to her comedic rants on Instagram. She was just starting in music and needed a plug to help her reach the mainstream.
One storyline on “LHHNY” that season was DJ Self’s business and personal relationship with Cardi B. DJ Self had a decision to make between promoting Cardi B and another female artist named MariahLynn.
At the time, Cardi B said that she was hurt by DJ Self underestimating her talents.
“It’s certain things that I don’t like, like sometimes he underestimates me a little bit,” Cardi B told blogger CNikky. “But, it’s always gonna be that way, why would you not underestimate somebody that you seen [sic] on the stripper pole? It hurts your feelings sometimes. It really hurts your feelings and it puts you down, but it’s a good feeling when they see it and you be like, ‘Yeah!’ ”
Cardi B would have the last laugh. Her single “Bodak Yellow” pushed her into the mainstream after she broke several records on the Billboard charts. With the release of Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B went gold in one night and performed on “SNL.”
After facing backlash on social media, DJ Self decided to speak out on Instagram, “Any artist that chooses to do something positive with their life should never be discouraged and any future music moguls, I know this world is full of trolls. Let people live out their lives and encourage people who choose to help others. I see 6ix9ine, I see XXX, I see Drake give back. I too also give back #GwininGives. Praise those artist[s] who make it and give back or just keep ya negative energy to yourself period cause we gonna keep moving forward!”
However, DJ Self continues to be blasted on social media for his decision.
Nah but fr i know dj self is S I C K that he didn’t take Cardi seriously as an artist!! I remember on LHHNY she said he was gonna regret his decisions… Life comes at ya fast 😉
— ~ (@brobro1_) April 10, 2018
Cardi B’s album went Gold in 24hrs, I remember on L&HH when she was begging Dj self to sign her and play her records on radio and he was fronting. He must be having sleepless nights right now.
— Daniel Akpan (@MinusTwice) April 6, 2018
Anybody having a bad day, remember DJ Self had a chance to manage Cardi B but was chasing Mariahlynn instead 😩🙊😭😭😭
— 🌷Chasity🌷 (@redpotatoes) April 6, 2018
May none of us ever take an L as big as the one DJ Self took over Cardi B. Amen.
— Monrowe (@MoniqueMonrowe) April 8, 2018
I know DJ Self TIGHT, cause he was def fronting on Cardi B
— YellowFever (@Whiteboyy_prod) April 10, 2018
Now people coming at DJ Self over bypassing Cardi B for the other chicks. At the time any business person saw why. she had no music out but the other chicks did. simple. But Cardi music better and found a better team ✅
— ♉ Vickster ♉ 🇧🇸 (@perksofvicky) April 10, 2018
