Imaginary Playerz

Last updated
"Imaginary Playerz"
Cardi B - Imaginary Playerz.png
Single by Cardi B
from the album Am I the Drama?
ReleasedAugust 15, 2025
Genre Hip-hop
Length3:27
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • DJ SwanQo
  • OctaneThisThatGas
  • Sean Island
Cardi B singles chronology
"Outside"
(2025)		"Imaginary Playerz"
(2025)		"Safe"
(2025)
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 second studio album, Am I the Drama? (2025). [1]

Contents

Background

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]

Music and lyrics

"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]

Music video

The official music video was directed by Cardi B and Patientce Foster. [12] In the video, Cardi B turns an New York airport tarmac into a fashion show runway with a red ballroom gown. After taking a private jet to Mykonos, Greece, 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]

Charts

Chart performance for "Imaginary Playerz"
Chart (2025)Peak
position
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] 37
US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [18] 36

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Imaginary Playerz"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousAugust 15, 2025 Atlantic [19]

References

  1. ↑ Sterling, Scott (August 15, 2025). "Cardi B Shares New Single "Imaginary Playerz"". Consequence . Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  2. ↑ Aswad, Jem (June 23, 2025). "Cardi B Announces New Album Am I the Drama? and Release Date". Variety . Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ Saponara, Miguel (June 20, 2025). "Cardi B Heads Back 'Outside' Just in Time for Summer: Stream Her New Single". Billboard . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  4. ↑ Trust, Gary (June 30, 2025). "Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for Fourth Week". Billboard . Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  5. ↑ Mamo, Heran (August 11, 2025). "Cardi B Is Offering 'Just a Lil Taste of the Drama' With 'Imaginary Players' Single Coming Soon". Billboard . Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  6. ↑ Sam (August 14, 2025). "Cardi B Previews 'Imaginary Playerz' Music Video, Confirms Debut Date". The Grape Juice. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  7. ↑ Mier, Tomás (August 15, 2025). "Cardi B Drops Jay-Z-Sampling Single 'Imaginary Playerz'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  8. ↑ Trapp, Malcolm (August 13, 2025). "Cardi B Hints "The One And Only" JAY-Z Signed Off On "Imaginary Players"". Rap-Up . Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  9. ↑ Saponara, Michael (August 15, 2025). "Cardi B Unleashes Jay-Z Approved 'Imaginary Playerz' Single: Stream It Now". Billboard . Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  10. ↑ Morton, Devin (August 12, 2025). "Fans Speculate That Cardi B's Upcoming Single Samples A Classic Jay-Z Track". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  11. ↑ Ocho, Alex (August 15, 2025). "Cardi B Drops Video for Jay-Z–Sampling Single "Imaginary Playerz"". Complex . Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  12. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (August 15, 2025). "Cardi B Shares Video for New Jay-Z-Sampling Song "Imaginary Playerz"". Pitchfork . Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  13. ↑ Saponara, Miguel (August 15, 2025). "Cardi B Turns the Tarmac Into a Fashion Show Runway for Lavish 'Imaginary Playerz' Music Video". Billboard . Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Official Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Cardi B Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Cardi B Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Cardi B Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Cardi B Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Imaginary Playerz - Single". United States: Apple Music. August 15, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
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