Rapper Cardi B covers the July-August 2022 issue of Vogue Singapore. Law Roach styles the mother of Kulture and Wave — with fashion director Desmond Lim — in Poster Girl, Richard Quinn, Thom Browne, Tom Ford and more for images by Lea Colombo [IG]./ Hair by Tokyo Stylrz; makeup by Erika Roman

Cardi B zooms with Amelia Chia — and the subject is motherhood. “It’s been very stressful,” the superstar says about life with four-year-old daughter, Kulture Kiari, and soon-to-be one-year-old son, Wave Set.

Cardi B on Responsible Motherhood

As for the nanny Cardi B explained would be her right hand in the work of motherhood and keeping her young career on an upwards trajectory — there is no nanny. There never was a nanny. “When the baby got here, I couldn’t even think about getting a nanny because I was afraid of anybody being around her besides my family.”

There are 36 cousins spread across New York City, but the superstar is clear that making her parents “the nanny” is also not an option.

“Your parents have already lived their life and raised their kids. They are older and don’t have the same energy as someone in their 20s. I’m never far from my kids because that’s my responsibility as a mother.”

Judgment Days

The rapper is circumspect about being judged for leaving her job at an Amish deli in Tribeca to “hop across the road” to work as a dancer in a strip club. Aware of disapprovals from some people, Cardi B just reminded herself that she was earning much more money than most people in her community, funding an education for herself, and living in her own place.

Cardi is honestly defensive about the constant judging of her — and saying now that her career is over because she hasn’t make new music in a year. “They compare me to every female rap artist, new or old. I get downplayed despite everything I’ve accomplished and worked so hard for. I need to sit down and say to myself, ‘Girl, you did that’.”

This reality check comes in alignment with her income. “Whenever I get an offer for a show, I’m not getting little baby girl money. I’m getting big girl money. It lets me know that the real people in this business that know real numbers, they know. My worth is way more than what people want to make me feel like I am.”

The Value of Money

The talent stresses that she wants her children to understand the value of money, and not think “I’m going to get it because I’m Cardi and Offset’s kid”. She expresses concern that her kids won’t know what struggle feels like, saying “Even though my kids are well-off, I want them to know that when you work for things and achieve it, it’s more respected—especially when people see that you bust your ass for it.”

Pursuing that goal, Kulture had a special birthday celebration last week, as reported by dad Offset on his Instagram Story. The little girl holds a stack of cash in a black SUV — a special present from her parents. Offset asked his baby girl, "what is that?" Kulture replied, "a ticket". Wrong, explained Dad. "A ticket is a million, girl. That's 50. Say, 50!".

No million bucks for Kulture on her fourth birthday in the back of a SUV, lensed for Instagram. To keep her humble, Mom and Dad settled for $50,000 for the public handoff. ~ Anne