The Grammy-winning rapper’s stop at NPR’s Music office drew a massive crowd, according to the publication. And those who got to watch the live show of Cardi with her band, which delivered a sumptuous rock and jazz-tinged take on her tracks, can consider themselves among the lucky few.
In a video premiered on Monday, Cardi took over Tiny Desk and brought an eight-song masterclass in breath control, joy, and showmanship. The Bronx-repping rapper wasted no time and broke out a dramatic rendition of “Hello” from her long-awaited second studio album, Am I the Drama? She followed up with its album single “ErrTime” before pausing for a quick water break and slipping into “Man of Your Word” (which sees her wave a a bittersweet goodbye to her ex-husband Offset). The performance’s poignancy was underlined by background vocals from singers Tiffany Stevens and Ebony Franklin.
