Who are Cardi B’s parents? Singer’s roots explored as she claims to be Afro Caribbean during security  guard assault trial

During her testimony on August 27, 2025, Cardi B identified herself as “Afro Caribbean” when questioned about her ethnicity on the stand. Her statement comes amidst allegations of assault leveled against her by security guard Emani Ellis during the 2018 incident outside a Beverly Hills obstetrician's office.

Denying any physical assault, the WAP artist said that the encounter was verbal only, and she did not touch or scratch Ellis, who is seeking $24 million in the case. However, Cardi B admitted that they went chest-to-chest and exchanged heated words, according to a report in the LA Times.

The rapper was born on Oct. 11, 1992, in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Her father, Carlos Almánzar, is Dominican, while her mother, Clara Almánzar, is Trinidadian. Carlos worked as a cab driver for nine years in New York. Meanwhile, her mother, Clara, used to work a job as a cashier and a store clerk. She took multiple jobs to provide for her family.

Continue to read more on the singer’s roots.

All we know about Cardi B’s family roots

Cardi B’s real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. Her roots lie in her rich cultural heritage as she is of mixed Afro-Caribbean descent.

Her father, Carlos Almánzar, is of Dominican descent. He spent his formative years in Santiago. He immigrated to America from the Dominican Republic in 1990, according to a report in The Sun. In an interview, Cardi B once shared that her parents had “regular, poor jobs.” She said that her dad worked as a taxi driver who retired around the time she began to rise to fame as a rap artist.

Cardi B’s music is influenced by styles like merengue and bachata, which are well-known in the Dominican Republic. Her name is also a reflection of her Dominican roots. Her mother, Clara Almanzar, is of Trinidadian descent. She described her as a hardworking woman who took multiple jobs for her family.

Her parents share two daughters, including her and her sister, Hennessy Carolina, who was born in December 1995 in the Bronx. She is an influencer, reality TV star, and fashion designer. In a 2016 interview with Vibe, Cardi B described her mom as a “strict parent.” She said:

“I always wanted to be what my mom didn’t let me be. I wanted to wear small shirts and have my belly out and wear little kitty heels. I think she didn’t want me to grow up so fast, because the kids around my neighborhood grew up fast.”

During her interview with CR Fashion Book, the Bronx artist spoke about her ethnicity, sending a message to her haters who blame her for not accepting her black identity. She said:

“One thing that always bothers me is that people know so little about my culture. We are Caribbean people. And a lot of people be attacking me because they feel like I don’t be saying that I’m black."

She added:

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" Some people want to decide if you’re black or not, depending on your skin complexion, because they don’t understand Caribbean people or our culture. I feel like people need to understand or get a passport and travel. I don’t got to tell you that I’m black. I expect you to know it.”

Cardi B often shares pictures and expressions of love for her parents on social media, highlighting their major role in her life. She credited her mom for guiding her to end her career as a stripper. Her parents reportedly divorced when she was 13.

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