Does Cardi B Have a Grammy? The Complete Record of Her Wins and Nominations

Yes, Cardi B does have a Grammy Award. She made history at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019 by becoming the first solo female artist to win the award for Best Rap Album, securing the prestigious trophy for her critically acclaimed debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy.

The journey of Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar—globally known as Cardi B—to the Grammy stage represents a monumental shift in the modern music landscape. As hip-hop continues to dominate global streaming and cultural discourse, her early career transition from social media personality and reality television star to chart-topping musical powerhouse culminated in one of the recording industry's highest honors. Understanding her Grammy history requires examining not just her historic victory, but also the broader context of her nominations, her impact on the genre, and the voting mechanics of the Recording Academy that dictate such achievements.

The Historic 2019 Win: Invasion of Privacy

The defining moment of Cardi B’s Grammy history occurred on February 10, 2019, during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, released in April 2018 under Atlantic Records, competed in a heavily contested category for Best Rap Album.

Prior to Cardi B's victory, the Best Rap Album category had exclusively featured male winners either as solo acts or as members of dominant groups. By taking home the award, Cardi B shattered a long-standing glass ceiling in hip-hop. Her album beat a formidable slate of nominees that year, which included:

• Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B (Winner)
• Swimming by Mac Miller
• Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle
• Daytona by Pusha T
• Astroworld by Travis Scott

The commercial and critical success of Invasion of Privacy laid the groundwork for this victory. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, went multi-platinum, and spawned massive chart-dominating singles like "Bodak Yellow" and "I Like It." The Recording Academy voters recognized both the cultural resonance of her aggressive, charismatic delivery and the cohesive production spanning trap, Latin-infused hip-hop, and classic East Coast samples.

Complete Overview of Cardi B's Grammy Nominations

While winning a single Grammy is a career-defining achievement, Cardi B's overall relationship with the Recording Academy spans multiple ceremonies and categories. Her work has consistently captured the attention of voters across pop, rap, and global music fields.

The Breakthrough Nominations (2018)

Before taking home a golden gramophone, Cardi B earned her first two Grammy nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018 for her breakout smash hit "Bodak Yellow." The track, which made her the first female rapper to top the Billboard Hot 100 solo without a featured artist since Lauryn Hill in 1998, competed for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. Although she did not win those categories—losing to Kendrick Lamar's cultural juggernaut "HUMBLE."—the nominations signaled that the mainstream music establishment acknowledged her sudden and powerful rise.

The Major Category Contender (2019)

The 2019 ceremony marked the peak of her Grammy recognition thus far. Beyond winning Best Rap Album, Cardi B earned nominations in two of the "Big Four" general categories: Album of the Year for Invasion of Privacy and Record of the Year for "I Like It," her bilingual collaboration with Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and Colombian singer J Balvin. Securing a nomination in Record of the Year underscored her crossover appeal, bridging urban hip-hop and Latin trap into mainstream pop consciousness.

Continued Recognition in the 2020s

Cardi B maintained her presence in the rap categories in subsequent years. At the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2020, she received a nomination for Best Rap Performance for her feature on "Clout" alongside her husband, Offset. Later, at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in 2022, her energetic solo single "Up" earned a nomination for Best Rap Song, demonstrating her sustained chart durability and lyrical consistency following her debut album era.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardi B and the Grammys

How many Grammys does Cardi B have?

Cardi B has won one Grammy Award. She received the honor for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards in 2019 for her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy.

Was Cardi B the first woman to win Best Rap Album?

No. While Cardi B was the first solo female artist to win Best Rap Album, the category had previously been won by Lauryn Hill as part of the Fugees when The Score took home the award in 1997. However, Cardi B remains the first and only solo woman to win the category outright.

How many times has Cardi B been nominated for a Grammy?

Cardi B has earned a total of eight Grammy nominations across multiple ceremonies between 2018 and 2022, spanning rap performance, rap song, record of the year, and album of the year categories.

Did Cardi B perform at the Grammy Awards?

Yes. Cardi B delivered a memorable, high-energy performance of her hit single "Money" at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019, performing atop a giant illuminated piano in a vintage-style Las Vegas showgirl ensemble.

What was Cardi B's first nominated song?

Her breakthrough anthem "Bodak Yellow" earned her first two Grammy nominations in 2018, contending for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.

Summary of Impact and Future Outlook

Cardi B's status as a Grammy winner places her in an elite tier of hip-hop history. Securing the Best Rap Album award with a debut project solidified her artistic legitimacy during an era of rapid digital consumption and changing industry standards. As she continues to record and release new music toward her sophomore album, her foundational contributions to rap remain permanently etched in the annals of the Recording Academy.

For music enthusiasts, researchers, and fans tracking awards history, her trajectory serves as a prime example of how grassroots streaming momentum, undeniable personality, and sharp commercial instincts can break historic barriers in institutional music spaces.