Cardi B Claps Back at Joe Budden, Proves She Writes Her Own Rhymes with "Magnet" Raw Bars:

The Art of the Comeback: How Cardi B Used Receipts to Settle the Joe Budden Debate on Her Lyricism

The debate around lyricism and authenticity in hip-hop is as old as the genre itself. For years, critics and fans have questioned whether top artists truly pen their own rhymes, a conversation that often unfairly targets female rappers. The latest chapter in this ongoing discussion involves none other than Cardi B, who has just released her highly anticipated new album, "Am I The Drama?", and veteran podcaster Joe Budden. 

After a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast questioned who was behind Cardi's bars, the Bronx superstar didn't just respond; she delivered irrefutable evidence, putting the ghostwriting rumors to rest with a powerful display of her creative process.

The Spark: Joe Budden's Backhanded Compliment

The controversy ignited on Sunday, September 21st, when the newest episode of The Joe Budden Podcast debuted. While reviewing Cardi B's new project, which has been the talk of the internet since its release last Friday, the hosts praised the track "Magnet." This song is widely speculated to be a searing diss aimed at former City Girls rapper JT, a topic that has generated significant buzz online.

During the discussion, Joe Budden, a figure known for his unfiltered and often provocative commentary, offered a compliment that came with a heavy dose of skepticism. "Whoever is writing these lines," he said, "he is smoking this sh*t." This one sentence, with its subtle implication of a male ghostwriter, set off a firestorm. It not only minimized Cardi's talent but also tapped into a long-standing, misogynistic trope in the industry that assumes female rappers, particularly those with mainstream success, must have help with their lyrics.

The Receipts: Cardi B's Unfiltered Response

Cardi B, never one to shy away from a confrontation, caught wind of Budden's comments. In a now-deleted but widely screenshotted post on X (formerly Twitter), she wasted no time in setting the record straight. Her response was a masterclass in modern celebrity communication: direct, authentic, and backed by proof.

"Whoever wrote it?? Nah that's CARDI," she wrote. But she didn't stop there. She followed up with an audio recording of her raw, unfiltered bars, a voice note of her in the creative process, crafting the very lines that Budden had complimented. This "receipt" was a stunning and effective move, showing fans and critics alike her raw talent and creative flow.

"This is my process," she continued in her post. "I'm a natural roaster and you know I'm quick with the mouth so I'll be coming up with the lines and I'll record myself and lay it later. Don't give me backhanded 10z cuz I'll always be able to prove my sh*t."

This response not only addressed Budden's specific comment but also served as a broader message to anyone who has ever questioned her pen. It solidified her image as a hands-on artist, deeply involved in every aspect of her music, from the lyrical content to the final recording.

The Context of "Am I The Drama?": A Platinum-Certified Statement

Cardi B's new album has been a monumental success, already certified platinum thanks to the inclusion of her multi-platinum smash hits "WAP" featuring Megan Thee Stallion and "Up." Beyond the commercial success, the album is a lyrical tour de force. "Am I The Drama?" is a project filled with direct and indirect jabs at her adversaries, showcasing a lyrical ferocity that has been a hallmark of her career.

In addition to the rumored shots at JT on "Magnet," Cardi also takes direct aim at Boston rapper Bia on the song "Pretty and Petty." These pointed lyrics prove that her pen game is as sharp as ever, and her ability to craft diss tracks with clever, biting lines is a skill she honed long before her rise to superstardom.

The controversy with Joe Budden serves as a reminder that even at the pinnacle of success, artists like Cardi B must constantly defend their creative legitimacy. However, with her raw audio and unapologetic response, Cardi has turned a moment of doubt into a moment of victory, once again proving that when it comes to her music, she is the one and only voice behind the bars.