Finesse

Before The Fame

On some real shit, fame isn't all it's cracked up to me. Growing up in the Bronx, all I cared about was getting out the streets. Getting out the hood. I use to watch Selena on tv and emulate her 24/7. Yes I know the word emulate you bitch ass, I ain't as stupid as y'all think. Bloop!

So like I was saying, all I wanted to do was get out the hood. I seen my mami working hard and abuela day in and day out. I wanted better for them. I wanted better for me.

I left my moms crib and moved in with my ex Tommy. I use to love his ass hard. Nigga was a blood. I held his ass down even while I was on Love and Hip Hop. I waited and waited... and waited..

"So, I'm going to hop into the second verse right here. The cadence is very choppy. So you go - lookin-like-I-caught-a-lick" he instructed through the glass window.

"My nigga, my New York flow be so different I don't know how you Atlanta niggas be talking like you got the hiccups and shit" I laughed and giggled.

Offset rolled his eyes and walked into the booth. He signaled the music engineer to give us a couple months. "Ma I know what I'm talking bout. This flow is the wave. I know it sounds like we all do it but Atlanta is winning right now" he licked his lips and stared deeply in my eyes.

No lie, my pussy got wet as shit. Tommy would kill me right now. But, I ain't doing nothing wrong. I haven't messed around with Offset, it's just strictly business between us.

"I know Atlanta is it but I ain't tryna do that Future flow. I want my own -"

He grabbed my wrist tightly and firmly said "look it's either you want my help or not. I could be in Dubai right now with the fellas but I chose to stay here to help you, the niggas at Atlantic hit me up. I don't do this for a lot of people"

"You're hurting me" I winced.

He released his grip and paced back and forth. "Do as I say and I promise you this will be the one." He walked out quickly as the music engineer roamed back into the room. I guess he knew what he was talking about. The Migos is so popular and if I want to be as popular as them I need to listen.

Caught a lick did okay numbers. The video garnered a lot of YouTube streams which today count towards sales. I was happy Offset did a verse and also shot the video with me. I felt so indebted to him. I watched the video on my MacBook while waiting for Tommy to call me from prison.

*incoming email from J White*

"Cardi, been shopping beats around and I want you to hear this. This is the one for you."

I clicked the MP3 and mumbled, "I'm tired of niggas always saying this is the one. This shit better be-" my mouth dropped.

I turned the volume up to what would now be known as my first BillBoard Hot 100 single Bodak Yellow.