"Imaginary Playerz" | ||||
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Single by Cardi B | ||||
from the album Am I the Drama? | ||||
Released | August 15, 2025 | |||
Genre | Hip-hop | |||
Length | 3:27 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Cardi B singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Imaginary Playerz" on YouTube |
"Imaginary Playerz" is a song by American rapper Cardi B. It was released on August 15, 2025, through Atlantic Records as the second single from her upcoming second studio album Am I the Drama? (2025). [1]
On June 22, 2025, Cardi B announced her second studio album Am I the Drama? (2025), due for release on September 19. [2] The album's lead single "Outside" was released on June 20, [3] debuting within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. [4] On August 11, Cardi B revealed her follow-up single "Imaginary Playerz" would release on August 15, describing it as "Just a lil taste of the drama." The announcement was accompanied by the single's cover art of herself with pink hair and a white fur coat in front of a white Rolls Royce. [5] The rapper confirmed an accompanying music video with a teaser clip the day before its release. [6]
"Imaginary Playerz" samples Jay-Z's 1997 track "Imaginary Players" from his second studio album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 . [7] Prior to the song's release, she shared with fans on Twitter Spaces that "the one and only", referring to Jay-Z, personally approved her use of "Imaginary Players" and admitted that if he had not approved of the song, she would have reflected "'OK, maybe I just had to come a little bit harder.' But I'm glad that I came hard and he loved it." [8] [9] She also shared on Instagram Live that she "fought really hard to put this song out" with those who wanted a different direction while she wanted to go for a hip-hop sound, describing it as "real calm flex shit", and that "When [Jay-Z] text back, my manager, the record was clear, it was at 4:44 pm," taking the time as a sign with respect to the rapper's latest solo studio album 4:44 (2017). [10] [11]
The official music video was directed by Cardi B and Patientce Foster. [12] In the video, Cardi B turns an airport tarmac into a fashion show runway with a red ballroom gown. After taking a private jet to Paris, she is then shown spending a day on a yacht. The rapper enjoys a lobster dinner on the beach and then returns to her five-star resort for a foot bath with champagne. In the final scene, she models couture looks before heading out for a night in Paris. [13]
Chart (2025) | Peak position |
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New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [14] | 30 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [15] | 70 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [16] | 14 |
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay ( Billboard ) [17] | 38 |
US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [18] | 39 |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
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Various | August 15, 2025 | Atlantic | [19] |