{"id":2031,"date":"2025-08-16T08:56:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T08:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/2031\/"},"modified":"2025-08-16T08:56:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T08:56:10","slug":"cardi-b-samples-jay-z-on-90s-inspired-new-single-imaginary-playerz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/2031\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardi B samples Jay-Z on ’90s-inspired new single \u2018Imaginary Playerz\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cardi B<\/a> has shared a new single called \u2018Imaginary Playerz\u2019, which features a sample of the Jay-Z track by the same name.<\/p>\n

The new single marks the latest preview to be shared of her long-awaited sophomore album, \u2018Am I The Drama?\u2019<\/a> \u2013 the long-awaited follow-up to her hit 2018 debut \u2018Invasion of Privacy\u2019.<\/p>\n

Already, she has shared the song \u2018Outside\u2019 as the lead single from the record, and confirmed that the 23-track album will also include her two previously released hits \u2018Up\u2019 and \u2018WAP\u2019 with Megan Thee Stallion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She then made an appearance at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to host night one of WWE<\/a>\u2019s SummerSlam, and used her dramatic entrance to tease another track, containing the lyrics \u201cHello, it\u2019s Me\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, she is back with another single to be officially shared ahead of the record\u2019s release. Titled \u2018Imaginary Playerz\u2019, the song samples Jay-Z\u2019s legendary \u201cImaginary Players\u201d from his 1997 album \u2018In My Lifetime, Vol. 1\u2019.<\/p>\n

She first hinted at the song at the start of the week (Monday August 11), and confirmed that it would be dropping today (August 15). \u201cJust a lil taste of the drama. IMAGINARY PLAYERZ THIS FRIDAY,\u201d she wrote on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Check it out below.<\/p>\n

As well as announcing the song, Cardi also used the post to share the cover art, which shows her in a lavish white fur coat, sitting by a Rolls-Royce.<\/p>\n

Speaking on X\/Twitter, she shared another update with fans, clarifying that she got permission from Jay-Z to sample his 1997 song in her latest release.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he didn\u2019t approve it, I probably wouldn\u2019t even feel a certain type of way neither, because it\u2019s like, \u2018OK, maybe I just had to come a little bit harder,\u2019\u201d she said<\/a>. \u201cBut I\u2019m glad that I came hard and he loved it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new album was announced in June and is set for release on September 19 via Atlantic\/Warner (and available to pre-order here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\n

Just a lil taste of the drama. IMAGINARY PLAYERS THIS FRIDAY pic.twitter.com\/Ra0ilZPgob<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Cardi B (@iamcardib) August 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Announcing it earlier this summer, Cardi said: \u201cSeven years and the time has come. Seven years of love, life and loss. Seven years I gave them grace, but now, I give them hell. I learned power is not given, it\u2019s taken. I\u2019m shedding feathers and no more tears. I\u2019m not back, I\u2019m beyond. I\u2019m not your villain, I\u2019m your tyrant. The time is here. The time is now.\u201d<\/p>\n

She would then defend the inclusion of \u2018WAP\u2019 and \u2018Up\u2019 in the tracklist<\/a>, adding: \u201cMy fans have been asking me to put them on an album, and people search for them on IOP all the time\u2026 they deserve a home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her debut album was given a four-star review from NME<\/a> back in 2018, with Nick Levine writing: \u201cOverall, this is a remarkably confident and compelling debut from a superstar who\u2019s put in the graft. \u201cMy little 15 minutes lasting long as hell, huh?\u201d she boasts nonchalantly on final track \u2018I Do\u2019. On this evidence, it\u2019s going to last a lot longer yet.\u201d<\/p>\n