Nine years after one of the most iconic rap debuts in modern music history, Cardi B is taking a moment to thank the fans who rode with her from the jump.
The Bronx rapper took to her Instagram BG Society community to celebrate the Bardi Gang’s 9th anniversary, writing: “Deumm it’s really been 9 years since I named y’all Bardi Gang and we formed our lil dysfunctional family … We argue, we cancel each other, then ride for each other anyway!!! Motherlis love y’all down.”
The Bardi Gang name was first coined by Cardi B in a tweet on June 19, 2017, just three days after she dropped “Bodak Yellow“ on June 16th of that year. What started as a fanbase tag has since grown into one of hip-hop’s most passionate and vocal communities.
The fandom has had no shortage of moments to celebrate. Bodak Yellow” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks, making Cardi B the second female rapper to reach number one with a solo song, following Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998. It later became a streaming monster, as of June 2026, the music video had surpassed 1.2 billion views on YouTube.
The Bardi Gang has also shown up big when it comes to milestones. When “Bodak Yellow” became diamond-certified by the RIAA, making Cardi B the first female rapper to achieve the distinction, fans flooded social media with reactions celebrating the historic moment.
The bond between Cardi and her fanbase goes beyond streaming numbers. When she released her sophomore album “Am I the Drama?”, Cardi dropped an exclusive Bardi Gang Edition featuring seven additional tracks, only available for a limited window, a direct love letter to her most loyal supporters. The edition included a “Dear Bardi Gang” track.
Even at award shows, the Bardi Gang stays top of mind. At the 2026 AMAs, where Cardi swept Hip-Hop with wins for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song, and Best Hip-Hop Album, she closed her acceptance video by personally thanking Bardi Gang.
Nine years, a diamond record, two albums, and a Grammy later, the dysfunctional family Cardi B built is still standing. And clearly, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Grace L.
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