WATCH: Cardi B turns legal win into hilarious sidewalk album sale

Cardi B is many things! A Grammy-winning rapper, a cultural disruptor and a walking meme machine.

But if last week taught us anything, it’s that she’s also a master of turning life’s chaos into iconic moments.

On Tuesday, September 2, Cardi B was officially cleared of a civil lawsuit brought by former security guard Emani Ellis.  

The lawsuit was based on claims of wrongful termination and emotional distress, which Cardi B vehemently denied.

In a statement released shortly after the verdict, she expressed relief and gratitude, saying that the truth had finally prevailed. She said that a legal win should’ve been the headline of the week.

But in true Cardi B fashion, she refused to let the moment be just about paperwork and courtrooms.

Instead, she hit the streets of New York to sell copies of her own album barefoot, incense burning, Bob Marley blasting.

Cardi B’s sophomore album, "Am I the Drama?", drops Friday, September 19. While most A-list stars lean on flashy rollouts, she’s taking a refreshingly old-school approach. 

Cardi B set up shop on a Manhattan sidewalk, laying out copies of her album on a black sheet like a street vendor.

The album promises to be as bold and engaging as she is, with anticipated tracks like "Drama Queen" and "No Filter" already stirring buzz.

Fans are especially excited about the collaborations.

While the full list of contributors for the 23-track album hasn’t been released, past partnerships with artists like SZA, Kehlani and Bad Bunny are hinted at as possibilities, alongside potential new guests.

Insiders say the line-up promises a potent mix of female empowerment and unfiltered honesty. 

“My label said I gotta get out in these streets and sell this album,” she joked on Instagram.

Wearing a Rastafarian cap and a black "While We Wait" Kehlani hoodie, she waved bundles of incense, shouting out bargain prices like she was working a flea market stall: “$9.99! You got $50 right here. $20! $9.99 for the new ones!”

In the clip, Cardi B pointed to different editions of the new album, including the hilarious “Courtroom Edition", inspired by her recent trial.

Fans were left cackling, while fellow celebrities rushed to support.

Diplo quipped, “I bought forty.” Kehlani couldn’t help but laugh at their matching hoodies. South Africa’s own Tyla chimed in with a simple, “Girl 😂." 

It was a grassroots marketing meets comedy show. And it worked.

Cardi B has always been different. From the Bronx to the Billboard charts, her career has thrived on breaking rules.

She doesn’t package herself like the typical A-list star. She overshares. She laughs at herself. She turns courtroom faces into album covers.

When the internet had a field day with her trial expressions, Cardi B leaned in instead of shying away.

She asked fans which meme should be her next cover art. The move was genius; not only did it keep the conversation going, but it also reminded everyone why she’s a marketing powerhouse.

Cardi B doesn’t need a PR team to make her relatable; she is the PR team.

TikTok agreed. Comments rolled in:“This one was born to be a comedian, but chose music 🤣” “She really said ‘I don’t need a marketing team, I AM THE STRATEGY’ 😭”* “Imagine driving and seeing Cardi B selling CDs in the middle of the road 🤣🤣”

Even with the antics, Cardi B is still securing her legacy. Just days before her sidewalk hustle, she was honoured with the 2025 Billboard Impact of the Year Award at the R&B/Hip Hop Power Players event in Brooklyn.

She also recently graced the cover of the Billboard magazine, where she admitted the pressure behind her long-awaited second album: “I’m really one of those artists that people ask for their albums the most every year. I wouldn’t be confident if nobody asked me for my sh#t. Imagine nobody asking for an album of yours? That’s why I’m so confident.”

Confidence is one thing she has never lacked. She’s raw, loud, funny and honest qualities that make her feel more like your chaotic cousin than an unreachable superstar.