BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 08: Cardi B, winner of the “Voice of the Culture Award” speaks onstage during the ASCAP 2025 Rhythm & Soul Music Celebration on June 08, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP)

The ASCAP Award win comes as Cardi B continues to prepare for the release of her long-awaited sophomore album.

Cardi B accepted the ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award during a private ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday. In doing so, she used her speech to call out critics of her songwriting talents, as caught by AllHipHop. In particular, she complained about people discrediting her for collaborating with other songwriters.

“I hate that. I hate the idea that if you don’t write every line on your own that it makes what you have to say not real,” she said. “Music is a collaboration it has always been. The biggest hits, the greatest records come from teamwork. They come from sharing experiences, energy, pain and joy. It’s not about ego, it’s about impact and I love my team.”

She continued: “I write, I co-write, I rewrite. I speak to what’s true to me. My pen, my mind, my feelings are in every verse and in every hook and I respect every writer who brings their magic to the table. This award is not just for me. It’s for the culture, for every writer who help shape it and make us do something. Let’s keep pushing our pens and the power that comes with it.”

Regardless of her speech, fans in the comments of ASCAP’s Instagram post of the speech are still upset. “Can you tell us one verse or song you wrote without any writers???” one user asked. “Just one that would justify this award of being the ‘voice of the culture’??” Another wrote: “I’m genuinely curious how you guys came to this conclusion. The culture was ROBBED.”

Cardi B New Song

In other news, Cardi recently confirmed that she’s not going to release the viral song, “Outside,” which fans have theorized is a shot at her estranged husband, Offset. Speaking about the unreleased track on Instagram Live, she thanked fans for their support of the leaked snippet, but revealed that she doesn’t want to put out any singles before her long-awaited sophomore album.

“I don’t know if I really wanna put that song out, to be honest with you. And it’s not because I’m doubting myself and this, this, and that. I’m really, really grateful for all the love. It was never the plan. I don’t think I wanna put out a single to be honest with you. I just wanna put out my album all at the same time,” she said.

Cardi B & Stefon Diggs Share Sweet Moment In D.C. Amid Messy Offset Drama

Feb 2, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cardi B at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Dan MacMedan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cardi B and Stefon Diggs appear to be in good spirits these days, despite all the drama currently surrounding them.

Cardi B has experienced her fair share of ups and downs in recent months. Last week, she went off on the father of her children Offset after he requested spousal support amid their messy divorce. The femcee didn’t hold back in the slightest, making it clear exactly how she feels.

“Word to my mother. I want you to die, but I want you to die f*cking slow, n****,” she said on Twitter Spaces. “When you die, n****, I want you to die slow in the bed. And when you die, n****, you gotta think of me.”

She went on to post a series of photos and videos on Instagram featuring her new boo, Stefon Diggs. This earned an interesting response from the former Migos members, who chalked their romance up to “Good roll out n PR.”

Recently, however, Cardi and Diggs were spotted together in Washington, D.C. In a sweet clip shared by FearBuck on X, the pair is seen racing each other to a white Lamborghini SUV.

Cardi B “Outside”They appeared to be in good spirits despite the drama surrounding them lately, and fans love to see it. Her love life is far from all Cardi has going for her these days, however. She’s also currently gearing up to unleash her eagerly-anticipated sophomore album. It doesn’t have an official release date yet, but it’s rumored to be dropping sometime this year.

Last month, the Bronx performer took to social media to give listeners a taste of what’s to come with a snippet of an unreleased song, “Outside.” In it, she takes shots at an unnamed man, who fans speculate to be Offset.

She dropped more hints about the project in April, telling her supporters that it boasts an impressive list of features. “I’m working with artists, some that I have worked before and some that I haven’t worked before. And like the ones that like I have not worked with before, I feel like it’s gonna like really, really surprise y’all. And it’s such a vibe,” she revealed.