The past year, 2018, can be viewed as a triumphant period for the fiercely charismatic rapper, Cardi B. Her joy was further magnified as she found herself nominated in two out of the four major categories of the 2019 Grammy Awards, specifically Record of The Year (for “I Like It”) and Album of The Year (for “Invasion of Privacy”). The mere act of being nominated at the Grammys was historic for “Invasion of Privacy,” as it became the first-ever 100% digital album, completely eschewing a traditional CD release, yet still receiving Grammy recognition.
For nearly four decades since the CD era began, even amidst the boom of music streaming, all the hundreds of albums nominated over these years have had a traditional CD version (meaning a physical disc packaged and sold in stores) and could coexist with digital editions. However, “Invasion of Privacy” stands as the first album in history to be released exclusively in digital format, available for purchase directly on streaming platforms, yet still managed to secure a nomination from the Academy, and that too in a highly significant category.
This indicates a trend that, in the future, more and more artists may opt for digital-only album releases, moving away from the traditional practice of releasing physical CDs. This aligns with the growing trend in the global music market where the revenue from traditional CD sales is steadily declining, giving way to the rise of the digital music market, which increasingly influences artists’ overall revenue.
Rising unexpectedly to prominence since her hit single “Bodak Yellow” dethroned “Look What You Made Me Do” on the Billboard Hot 100, Cardi B quickly garnered immense attention worldwide. Following this success, her debut album, “Invasion of Privacy,” can be considered a bona fide blockbuster, rapidly elevating her from newcomer status to international superstardom.
“Invasion of Privacy” not only achieved impressive sales figures and topped charts but also received high praise from music professionals. All these factors converged to create an almost perfect debut for Cardi B.
In 2019, it was certain that Cardi B would continue to make waves in the global music scene, as she was at the peak of her career and in a period of great success. Keep going, Cardi B!
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