Cardi B is positioning herself as a curator of authentic R&B history, highlighting her longevity and connection to the roots of modern hip-hop while showcasing her influence in high-fashion media.
While Cardi gushed about Keyshia Cole, the two have never collaborated. Fans are still buzzing about Cardi’s sudden withdrawal from BZR WKND Jamaica just days before, leaving Keyshia to perform solo.
Keyshia Cole’s 'The Way It Is' debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 in July 2005. Cardi stated, 'I was listening to that album when I was, like, 13, and I’m still listening to it when I’m 33.'
Cardi B’s endorsement is the ultimate stamp of approval for 2000s R&B, proving that raw emotion still outlasts auto-tune.
Listen up, because Cardi B just dropped a cultural mandate that every woman needs to hear. In her latest feature for the New York Times T Magazine, published Wednesday (Oct. 21), the Bronx superstar didn’t just list her favorite tracks—she crowned Keyshia Cole’s debut album, The Way It Is, as the greatest album of all time. This isn’t a casual throwback pick; it’s a deep, personal acknowledgment of the music that shaped her.
Cardi explained that the album has been her constant companion from age 13 to 33, asserting, “Every woman should listen to that album.” For those who need a refresher on why this 2005 record still holds so much power, The Way It Is debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for an impressive 64 weeks. It was a Platinum-certified juggernaut fueled by Ye-produced hits like “I Changed My Mind” and the top-40 smash “I Should Have Cheated,” which peaked at No. 31.
Cardi’s love for this project highlights a shared reverence among current artists for the raw, unfiltered R&B of the mid-2000s, a sound that prioritized vocal texture and lyrical vulnerability over polished production. Interestingly, despite Cardi’s high praise, she and Keyshia Cole have yet to link up on a track. This lack of collaboration makes the shoutout feel even more genuine—it’s pure fandom, not a PR exchange.
However, the timing is spicy, given that Cardi recently pulled out of BZR WKND Jamaica on Oct. 18, 2026. A statement from her reps noted, “Cardi appreciates the love and support from her fans in Jamaica and hopes to see them in the future,” but the absence left fans wondering if a Keyshia collab could have saved the day. This endorsement places Cardi in good company, as Ari Lennox previously hailed the project as “one of the most phenomenal debut albums ever” in 2019.
Cardi’s feature in T Magazine, part of their “Greats” series, solidifies her status not just as a rapper, but as a tastemaker with serious cultural literacy. With her Tiny Desk Concert debut just two days prior on Oct. 19, Cardi is clearly in a phase of showcasing her artistic depth. If Cardi B says listen, the streets listen. Put on The Way It Is and take notes.
