Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, was born on October 11, 1992, in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City. She was raised in the Highbridge neighborhood of the South Bronx. Cardi B's parents are of Trinidadian and Dominican descent.

Growing up, Cardi B faced financial struggles and was a part of a gang during her teenage years. She attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology but was eventually expelled. To make ends meet, she worked in various jobs, including at a supermarket and as a stripper.

Cardi B gained attention through her social media presence, especially on Instagram, where she gained a large following due to her candid and humorous videos discussing her life and experiences. Her popularity on social media eventually led to opportunities in the entertainment industry.

In 2015, Cardi B joined the cast of the reality television series "Love & Hip Hop: New York" for its sixth and seventh seasons, which helped increase her visibility. However, she left the show to focus on her music career.