Some music fans believe rap has been stuck in a rut. According to Cardi B, however, the genre is only going “up” and blames the audience’s grievances on their own buyer’s remorse.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that surfaced on social media this past Friday (Feb. 9), the Bronx, NY native shared her thoughts on the state of Hip-Hop culture. While Cardi believes the current landscape of the genre is in good health and better than advertised, she argues its detractors are indecisive about what they expect from artists.

“People keep saying like, ‘Oh, the state of hip-hop is bad right now, blah, blah, blah,’” the 31-year-old told the outlet. “I don’t think it’s bad right now; I just feel like people just don’t know what they want.”

Another factor Cardi pointed to was the impact of social media and its influence on the musical tastes of creators and consumers alike. “I feel like social media is running too much, so I just feel like just keep doing you, f**k what people got to say.”

When it comes to artists walking to the beat of their own drum, Cardi is at the head of the pack, as she’s remained unapologetic about her style of music in spite of attacks from critics and peers alike. In 2023, the Grammy Award winning rapper received criticism for “Bongos,” her blockbuster collaborative single with Megan Thee Stallion, as media personality Joe Budden deemed the release as lackluster.

Cardi would clap back, accusing Budden of having a personal grudge against her based on a string of occurrences in which Budden appeared to side with artists she’s had past disputes with.

The Invasion of Privacy rapper and Megan Thee Stallion previously stirred up controversy with their chart-topping 2020 single “W.A.P.,” which was blasted by figures ranging from political commentator Candace Owens to rap legend Snoop Dogg.

Watch Cardi B’s interview with The Hollywood Reporter below.