Cardi B: These Flops Are a PROBLEM + Doechii Copies Nicki Minaj & Azealia Banks TOO MUCH & Gets Called Out

Yes, Cardi B—she thinks she’s slick. But the numbers don’t lie, and neither do the fans who are watching every move. So let’s get into it.

Cardi B’s Struggle to Regain Traction

Cardi B has been attempting to make a comeback, but it seems like the traction just isn’t there. She dropped a track last week with Partisan Fontaine, and despite the anticipation, it failed to make any real impact. This week, she’s back with a new song with DJ Khaled, “Higher Love,” for The Smurfs Movie soundtrack. The problem? The track isn’t moving.

The song currently sits at #126 on the US iTunes charts. There are reports that it only got 2,000 streams on its first day—a record-breaking low for a female rapper of Cardi’s stature. Even if those numbers aren’t accurate, the fact remains: the song isn’t making waves. Compare this to Nicki Minaj’s Barbie World from the Barbie movie soundtrack—Nicki’s song was a cultural moment, a viral success that dominated the charts. Cardi’s attempt to replicate that success? Falling flat.

Her team seems to be scrambling. The song is licensed by Roc Nation, which suggests some industry backing, but even that isn’t enough to push it forward. The reality is, Cardi’s team likely saw how Nicki’s Barbie soundtrack single blew up and tried to recreate the formula. But it’s not just about being on a movie soundtrack—it’s about star power, organic fan engagement, and authenticity, all of which seem to be lacking here.

The Album Delay & Strategic Moves

Cardi has been teasing an album for years now, yet here we are in 2025, and there’s still no official release. She has spent more time plotting, watching, and reacting to Nicki Minaj’s moves than actually building her own era. Nicki, on the other hand, has already dropped Pink Friday 2, gone on a massive tour, and remained the best-selling female rapper across 2023, 2024, and now into 2025. Cardi’s delayed rollout suggests uncertainty—her team knows that dropping an album without guaranteed success could be disastrous.

If Atlantic Records wants Cardi to have a hit, they’re going to have to rely on heavy industry manipulation. We’re talking Payola, multiple alternate versions of the album, and visual albums to boost streams. Without these tricks, there’s no organic push. If Cardi had true star power, she wouldn’t need all these gimmicks to move units.

Doechii: Too Much Influence from Nicki & Azealia Banks?

Another artist who has people talking is Doechii. There’s been ongoing discourse about her artistic style and whether she borrows too much from Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks.

It’s one thing to be inspired—it’s another to take entire styles and make them your own without acknowledgment. Doechii’s rapping, vocal inflections, and delivery often sound eerily reminiscent of both Nicki and Azealia, to the point where it feels more like imitation than homage.

Even Foxy Brown once said, “Take a little piece, but don’t take the whole thing.” Yet every time Doechii opens her mouth, we hear the influence loud and clear. The problem? She tries to act like it’s all her own, while simultaneously unfollowing Nicki and getting into it with Azealia. You can’t bite the very artists you’re drawing from and then act like it’s not happening.

Doechii has talent—no one is denying that. But originality matters. If she wants longevity, she needs to solidify her own lane rather than mimic artists who have already perfected their unique sounds.

Final Thoughts

Cardi B’s struggles prove that artificial hype can only take you so far. Without a loyal fanbase and organic interest, the numbers won’t lie. Meanwhile, Doechii has a chance to carve out her own identity, but she needs to move beyond just emulating Nicki and Azealia.

At the end of the day, the industry is watching. Fans are watching. And the real stars? They don’t have to force it—it just happens.