The controversy began when Joe Budden, a former rapper and current media personality, publicly questioned the extent of Cardi B's involvement in writing her own lyrics. During a recent episode of his podcast, The Breakfast Club, Budden suggested that others may be heavily involved in crafting her rhymes, implying a lack of sole authorship. This sparked immediate backlash from Cardi B and her fans.
Budden's comments tapped into a long-standing debate within hip-hop regarding the authenticity of lyrical content and the role of ghostwriters. While ghostwriting is a relatively common practise in the music industry, it often carries a stigma, particularly when it comes to claims of originality and artistic integrity.