Cardi B accepts Voice of the Culture Award at 2025 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Honors

On the eve of the 2025 BET Awards, the energy was already building in Los Angeles, and at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons, it was Cardi B who commanded the spotlight.

The Grammy-winning rapper and cultural force was awarded ASCAP’s Voice of the Culture Award on Sunday, June 8, surrounded by fellow songwriters, producers, and industry peers. Dressed in a caramel-hued floor-length gown, Cardi accepted the honor from ASCAP’s Nicole George-Middleton.

“My voice has always been a reflection of what I live and what I’m living. Which I feel is a true reflection of the people, the culture, my friends, my family, and the environment that I grew up in. I like to put that in my music — my joys, my pains, my drama, everything.”

Known for her chart-topping singles like “Bodak Yellow” and “WAP,” Cardi B has long been a defining voice in modern hip-hop. Her presence at the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards served not just as a celebration of her accolades, but as a statement about what storytelling in music really means.

“I hate the idea that if you don’t write every line on your own, it makes what you have to say not real. Music is a collaboration, it has always been. The biggest hits [and] the greatest records come from teamwork. They come from sharing experiences, energy, pain and joy. It’s not about ego, it’s about impact.”

She emphasized her role in the creative process while championing fellow writers:

“I write, I co-write, I rewrite. I speak to what’s true to me. My pen, my mind and my feelings are in every verse and in every hook. I respect every writer who brings their magic to the table. This award is not just for me, it’s for the culture.”

Cardi also picked up an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award for her 2024 hit “Enough (Miami)” and is no stranger to recognition from the organization — she made history in 2020 as the first woman to win Songwriter of the Year two years in a row.

As the 2025 BET Awards approach, Cardi is also nominated for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist; a win would mark her first in the category this decade.

Meanwhile, the rapper has been making headlines offstage, too. Just days before the ASCAP ceremony, Cardi made her relationship with NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs official on Instagram, continuing a busy and high-profile summer for the artist.

---

“Losing my mind”: Cardi B gets candid about the toll of her past relationship

One day after going Instagram-official with NFL star Stefon Diggs, Cardi B returned to social media in a more vulnerable light. This time, she opened up about how deeply impacted she felt during the final stages of her relationship with rapper Offset.

Speaking on X Spaces early Tuesday, June 3, Cardi didn’t hold herself back when discussing the emotional weight she carried before deciding to move on.

“I don't think people understand how tired I was. How tired, how mentally drained I was. Drained, drained, drained. Couldn't eat. I was getting frequent headaches. I was literally losing my mind.”

That last line wasn’t just a passing comment. Cardi emphasized it again:

“I was literally losing my mind.”

Referring to her former relationship, the Grammy-winning rapper admitted she kept trying to make it work.

“And I gave it chances after chances after chances after chances after chances after chances.”

Ultimately, she said staying any longer might have pushed her past a breaking point.

“If I was still there, I was going to end up going to jail, ‘cause I was going to end up killing them. Seriously, with my own bare hands. ‘Cause it was just getting so … it was just getting too much.”

Though Cardi didn’t mention Offset by name, the timing of the livestream — one day after her public debut with Diggs — and her comments drew attention from fans already reacting to the new romance.

Despite backlash from some corners of the internet, Cardi took time during the live stream to thank those offering support as she enters what appears to be a new chapter in both her personal life and emotional well-being.