Cardi B’s highly anticipated sophomore album “Am I the Drama?” has fallen short of industry expectations, generating approximately 100,000 album-equivalent units in its debut week—a significant drop from her previous blockbuster release. The album, which debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, showcased a considerable decline compared to her 2018 “Invasion of Privacy,” which exceeded 250,000 units in its opening week.
Digital sales accounted for roughly 20,000 pure album sales, while streaming numbers reached approximately 120 million on-demand streams globally. Physical formats, including vinyl and CDs, contributed about 10% of the total first-week units, suggesting a modest interest in tangible products despite the industry’s recent vinyl resurgence.
Digital consumption dominated Cardi’s rollout, with streaming platforms accounting for 90% of her first-week performance.
Industry analysts, who had projected the album to surpass 150,000 units, are now questioning the effectiveness of Cardi’s marketing strategy. The absence of viral pre-release singles and limited television appearances may have contributed to the tepid reception. The rapper appeared on only two major late-night shows, while her social media campaign primarily targeted Instagram and TikTok with several short-form video moments that failed to capture widespread attention. A more robust editorial playlist strategy could have significantly boosted her streaming numbers and overall visibility across platforms.
Platform data reveals Spotify dominated the streaming landscape, accounting for roughly 45% of total streams, followed by Apple Music at 30% and YouTube at approximately 20 million views. Geographically, the United States represented about 65% of consumption, with the UK and Canada combining for 15%, and Latin American markets showing promising growth at 8%.
The release faced stiff competition from other major hip-hop albums dropping in the same timeframe, complicating Cardi’s ability to dominate cultural conversation. Some analysts have pointed to possible album fatigue and shifting music consumption habits noted in 2025 as additional factors affecting performance.
Despite the underwhelming numbers, the album’s pure sales slightly outperformed her previous release, indicating a loyal fanbase willing to purchase rather than stream—a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing commercial debut for one of hip-hop’s most prominent voices. Music industry experts suggest Cardi B could potentially boost revenue through sync deals with TV shows and commercials to compensate for the lower-than-expected streaming numbers.
