Cardi B has made an explosive return with new song Outside. The track marks her triumphant comeback to the music scene, generating immediate buzz across social media platforms worldwide.
The rap sensation debuted the fiery track, her first of the year, at the Cannes Spotify Beach Party on Wednesday (18.06.25). The exclusive venue, known for hosting A-list celebrities during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, provided the perfect backdrop for Cardi’s high-energy performance.
The new tune follows March 2024’s Enough (Miami). That previous release demonstrated Cardi’s continued dominance in the rap genre and accumulated massive streaming numbers within its first month of release.
Cardi recently explained why her new album is taking so long. The music industry has seen extended album production cycles become increasingly common, with artists taking significantly longer to complete major releases compared to previous decades.
Fans of the WAP hitmaker have had a lengthy wait for the follow-up to her 2018 debut Invasion of Privacy. The Grammy-winning album was a massive commercial success and was certified multi-platinum, setting incredibly high expectations for her sophomore effort.
And it seems there is still a way to go, as the rapper is waiting on her featured artists to deliver the goods. Industry sources suggest that coordinating schedules among high-profile artists has become increasingly challenging due to busy touring schedules and recording commitments.
“I really need these f****** features,” she said during an Instagram Live in May. “And it’s like I’m not really trying to press or go crazy on these artists because I love them down. But it’s like, come on now! I need that! I need that right now! Helloooo! Y’all don’t want to miss this opportunity. I’ll sing this s*** myself! But I really need y’all and I need y’all to hurry up and I love y’all. I feel like nobody want to miss being on this album.” The candid livestream attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers, highlighting fans’ eagerness for updates.
Cardi – who has collaborated with the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Bruno Mars, Lizzo and Migos in the past – revealed she has worked with artists she has teamed up with before and some new faces, too. Her previous collaborations have consistently performed well commercially, with several becoming chart-topping hits that dominated radio airplay.
“I don’t have a lot of features, but I’m working with artists, some that I have worked with before and some that I haven’t worked with before,” she went on. “And the ones that I have not worked with before, I feel like it’s gonna really, really surprise y’all.” Music industry insiders speculate that these mystery collaborators could include major artists who have never previously worked with Cardi.
“It’s such a vibe. I’m 100 per cent confident with this album,” she teased. “I just don’t think what I got is out there.” This confidence reflects Cardi’s track record of producing innovative hits that push boundaries and challenge conventional hip-hop expectations.
The anticipation for Cardi’s second album has reached fever pitch among fans and critics alike, with music publications ranking it among the most anticipated releases of the year. Her ability to blend commercial appeal with artistic authenticity has made her one of the most influential voices in contemporary hip-hop.
Early reactions to “Outside” have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising the track’s production quality and Cardi’s lyrical prowess. The song showcases her signature bold delivery and unapologetic attitude that first propelled her to stardom, while demonstrating artistic growth and creative maturation.
The Cannes debut of “Outside” signals Cardi’s strategic approach to building momentum for her album rollout. By choosing such a high-profile international venue, she has generated global media attention and positioned herself at the center of entertainment industry conversations during one of the year’s most significant cultural events, setting the stage for what promises to be her most ambitious project yet.
