"Outside" is a song by American rapper Cardi B. It was released on June 20, 2025, through Atlantic Records as the lead single from her second studio album, Am I the Drama? (2025). Her first solo single since "Enough (Miami)" in 2024, it is a hip-hop song written by Cardi B and various collaborators and produced by Charlie Heat, HeyMicki, and DJ SwanQo.
"Outside" debuted at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Cardi B's thirteenth top-ten hit and her first since "Enough (Miami)" in 2024. It also marked the third top-ten single on Am I the Drama?, after "WAP" and "Up". The song peaked at number one on the Rhythmic Airplay and Rap Airplay charts, her ninth and eighth chart-topper on each respectively.
Background
In early June, a leaked snippet of an unreleased track by Cardi B went viral in which she disses an unnamed man, speculated to be her estranged husband Offset.[1] In response to the track's virality, the rapper shared that she did not plan on releasing it as a single and wished to release her long-awaited second studio album all together instead, and was filming a music video "in a couple of weeks" for another song.[2] She later expressed that her label wanted her to release the song due to the positive reaction and that she "might drop it."[3]
On June 17, Cardi B announced the single named "Outside" would release in three days and posted its cover art depicting the aftermath of a summer block party in New York City, including an overflowing fire hydrant and dominoes, open lipstick, blunt wrappers, and red Solo cups spread across the sidewalk.[4] The song was officially released on June 20, 2025, marking her first solo single of the year and her first since "Enough (Miami)" in 2024.[5][6] "Outside" appeared on the rapper's second studio album Am I the Drama? (2025).[7][8]
Music and lyrics
According to Cardi B, she made the song "a few months ago when I was very, very angry. I had to change some bars because I was angry, honey," adding that she wouldn't have released it without the fan demand.[9] Over a sample of the classic Triggerman beat, Cardi B declares that she is ready to be back outside.[10] She seemingly takes aim at Offset, insulting him as "Good-for-nothing, low-down dirty dogs, I'm convinced / Next time you see your mama, tell her how she raised a bitch." She also hints at her new relationship with football player Stefon Diggs, saying "Favorite player from your favorite team, he in my DM, uh / I'm so small and tiny, he so big and tall / Might let him dunk this pussy like he dunk the ball."[11]
Release
"Outside" was released on digital streaming platforms on June 20, 2025.[12] Cardi B debuted the song live two days prior at a Spotify event in Cannes, France.[13] It was sent to urban and rhythmic radio on June 23.[14] An a cappella version of "Outside" was released digitally on June 26.[15]
Critical reception
Billboard ranked "Outside" as the twelfth-best song on Am I the Drama?, praising the track's "fiery confidence and razor-sharp wit" and calling it the "right appetizer" for the album.[16]
Commercial performance
In the United States, "Outside" debuted at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Cardi B's thirteenth top-ten hit and her first since her last solo single "Enough (Miami)" in 2024. The song earned 15.6 million streams, 6 million in airplay audience and 14,000 sold in its debut week, and became her eighth number-one hit on the Digital Song Sales chart.[17] It reached number one on the Rhythmic Airplay chart on the August 16 dated ranking, becoming her ninth number-one on the chart and her first since "Up" in 2021. It also reached number one on the Rap Airplay chart in the same week, becoming her eighth number-one on the chart and her first since "Tomorrow 2" with GloRilla in 2022. With this, Cardi B became the woman with the second-most number ones on Rap Airplay, only one behind Nicki Minaj, and the artist with the sixth-most number-ones overall after Drake, Lil Wayne, Ye, Jay-Z, and Minaj.[18]
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