Cardi B has risen to the top of the music industry in just a few short years. Thanks to her chart-dominating hits, savvy business deals and extravagant persona, Cardi‘s net worth in 2024 totals an estimated $45 million. Let‘s take a detailed look at how this former stripper became one of the richest female rappers ever.
She Earns Big From Music – $20-30 Million Per Year
The primary source fueling Cardi B‘s wealth is her insanely successful music career.
According to Nielsen Music, Cardi‘s debut studio album "Invasion of Privacy" has earned 2.9 million equivalent album units to date. At a $7 royalty rate per unit, that equates to over $20 million earned.
Her monster hit "Bodak Yellow" has been certified 9x Platinum by the RIAA, meaning 9 million units sold. With approximately $7 per unit in royalties, this one megahit has earned Cardi around $63 million so far.
In total, Cardi B has sold 131 million digital singles worldwide. Assuming an average royalty of $0.70 per download, her overall digital sales contribute about $92 million to her net worth.
Factoring in YouTube advertising revenue and streaming royalties, experts estimate Cardi pulls in $20-30 million per year from music alone.
Endorsement Deals Pay Big Bucks
Cardi supplements her music income with lucrative endorsement deals and partnerships.
Her contract with Fashion Nova earned a reported $1 million. She also has deals with major brands like:
- Pepsi
- Reebok
- T-Mobile
- Netflix
Conservative estimates place her endorsement and sponsorship earnings between $2-4 million per year.
She Lives An Extravagant Lifestyle
Being one of the highest-paid rappers allows Cardi B to spend lavishly:
- $5.5 million on a mansion in Atlanta
- Over $400,000 on a Lamborghini Urus
- $330,000 Lamborghini SUV gift for her husband
- $50,000 in cash gifts for her daughter
She also spares no expense on jewelry, designer clothes, expensive vacations, and throwing over-the-top parties.
While she lives large now, Cardi came from humble beginnings…
Her Net Worth Journey Started With Stripping
Belcalis Almanzar was born in 1992 in the Bronx. She became a stripper at 19 to earn income.
She first gained attention on social media before joining the reality show "Love & Hip Hop: New York" which helped launch her rap career.
In 2017 she signed with Atlantic Records and released her debut single "Bodak Yellow" which hit #1 on the charts.
The song made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the Billboard 100 without any accompaniment since Lauryn Hill in 1998.
From there Cardi kept breaking records, dropping hit after hit and collaborating with major artists like Bruno Mars.
Fast forward to today, and the former stripper is worth nearly $50 million and counting.
Cardi B vs. Other Top Female Rappers
Here‘s how Cardi B‘s $45 million net worth stacks up against other leading female rappers:
| Rapper | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Nicki Minaj | $80M |
| Rihanna | $1.4B |
| Queen Latifah | $70M |
As you can see, only Rihanna is significantly higher due to her massive Fenty beauty brand success. Among dedicated hip-hop artists, Cardi reigns supreme.
She Keeps Getting Richer
At just 30 years old, Cardi B still has plenty of time to grow her fortune:
- Her next album will likely shatter more records
- A strategic world tour could earn $50 million+
- She has yet to fully cash in on merchandise and licensing
- More high-dollar endorsement deals are on the horizon
- Investments she makes today will continue to grow over time
Conservative projections predict her net worth doubling to over $100 million in the next 5 years. Thanks to her creative vision and business acumen, Cardi B will likely keep getting richer for years to come.
