Cardi B Confirms Jay-Z Approved Sample on New Single ‘Imaginary Players’

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:

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Getty / Grammys]