Cardi B implies Jay-Z approved her “Imaginary Playerz” sample

The rap star is jet-setting in the music video for her latest song.

Cardi B has released “Imaginary Playerz,” the latest single for her upcoming sophomore album, Am I The Drama?, out September 19.

In the new track, Cardi B raps about fame and fashion over a sample of Jay-Z’s song, “Imaginary Players.” Cardi B seemingly implied that Jay-Z himself approved the final song in a video and during an X Space. “I was so happy because you guys understand, the song is kinda long…this song is like a staple for me and I had to get it approved by the one and only,” she said. “It’s a very hip-hop record and I hope you guys enjoy it.”

Lyrically, the song finds Cardi talking shots at her competition, rapping, “Poor thing, Twitter must be gassin’ them heavy/ Makin’ them jump in the ring with the Brim before they ready,” and “Now your fifteen up, you already out of time.”

Produced by DJ SwanQo, OctaneThisThatGas, and Sean Island, the track accompanies a music video directed by Cardi B and Patience Foster, which features the rapper lounging on the wing of a private jet in a red bejeweled dress before traveling to a yacht in Mykonos, a restaurant in Paris, and a designer fitting.

Am I The Drama? is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Cardi B’s 2018 debut album, the Grammy-winning Invasion of Privacy. The new project will be 23 tracks long and will include 2020’s “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion, 2021’s “Up,” and the recent single “Outside.”

On August 12, Cardi B revealed new album cover art, a close-up image of herself bedazzled with silver. Featuring the rapper posing with a giant bird, the original art matches the official video teaser, in which the rapper is attacked by a swarm of crows before she reappears with power over the birds.