Cardi B fans are counting down the days to the release of her new single, ‘Imaginary Players.’
And she’s seizing the moment to clarify the speculation around whether the track samples the Jay-Z classic of the same name.
Full story below…
Speaking via X Spaces about her recent Spotify listening session for her album ‘Am I The Drama?’, Cardi revealed that the Hip-Hop mogul granted her permission to sample his cut.
She said:
“There was a lot of Hip-Hop heads in the building, and they heard ‘Imaginary Players’ and they absolutely love it. I was so happy because, I don’t think you guys understand, the song is kinda long. This is like a staple for me. I have to get it approved by the one and only. And if he didn’t approve it, I probably wouldn’t feel a certain type of way because maybe it meant I would need to come a little bit harder. But I’m glad that I came hard and [he] loves it and everybody else love it.”
Listen to the femcee explain in her own words:
Cardi B reveals Jay Z heard and approved her ‘Imaginery Players’ sample himself via Spaces.🖤
The single is long & is real Hip-Hop.
Hip-Hop heads loved it at the Spotify listening party. pic.twitter.com/2FvEY8C4L5— ໊ (@BardisMedia) August 13, 2025
Jay’s ‘Imaginary Players’ is widely considered a classic and is housed on 1997’s ‘In My Lifetime, Vol. 1’ album.
Cardi’s incarnation arrives this Friday (August 15) ahead of the ‘Am I The Drama?,’ which is due on September 19 via Atlantic Records.
Take a listen to HOV’s original track below:
210k SPS
75k tops 💀🥀
LIES,
This is a 7 year wait, this is close enough to the equivalent of a RIHANNA album. Even the HATERS will be tuning in/STREAMING…
She hasn’t been hot for almost 5 years. She needs a miracle 🥲
I think she’ll push over $200k. Definitely more than $75k lol. Agreed she’s not as hot anymore but I don’t think anyone really took her place it’s a couple cute girls but they aren’t moving units I think she’ll do decent. It won’t be a flop but not massive.
There’s no hype for this album.
The hype for IOP was crazy. She let too much time pass between albums.
Unless she has something big planned, or more manufactured drama ~ the album won’t do over 100k.
She hasn’t had a hit since 2021.
Everything from this extended era has flopped.
Sorry, not sorry.
Girl stop sampling rap classics, make your own.
Have that same energy for NICKI 🤣
Nicki mostly samples Pop hits not Rap classics and in Barbie Dreams she made it completely her own and didn’t let the sample run over her like how Cardi did when she sampled Missy Elliott. who the f samples Missy Elliott, it’s not even close to your league, Missy is still fresh!
Super freaky girl was a whole super freak sample though right 😎
I already knew the song ain’t pop friendly… she needs some upbeat summery song not this filler material..
Why?
Summer is almost over, she needs what shes going to deliver.
What she needs is a HIT. Something she hasn’t had since 2021.
Sorry, not sorry.
Her recent single outside debuted at number 9 in 2025
Billboard Hot 100: #26(-16) Outside, Cardi B (@iamcardib) [2 weeks]. *peak: #10*
Hahahahahaha IJBOL this flop