Global rap sensation Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) was in Castañuelas in the Monte Cristi province visiting her paternal grandparents after many years of absence.
Cardi B’s visit to the Dominican Republic serves as a brief respite for the multi-hyphenate star. Known as a rapper, singer, actress, and entrepreneur, her rise to fame is often cited as a quintessential “rags-to-riches.” Her stage name, “Cardi B,” is a shortened version of her childhood nickname, Bacardi.
Cardi B was raised in The Bronx, New York. She has been vocal about a turbulent youth involving street gangs and her experiences as a survivor of domestic violence. After gaining a massive following on social media starting in 2013, she transitioned into television, starring in the sixth season of Love & Hip Hop: New York.
The 34-year old highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and television personality is best known for her energetic flow and candid lyrics. She had already risen to fame via Vine and Instagram, gaining mainstream attention on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop before releasing her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow” in 2017.
She is the first solo female to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album, for Invasion of Privacy (2018), and has multiple Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.
Before her music career, she worked as a stripper, a period she has openly discussed as a way to gain financial independence. She is recognized for elevating the presence of female rappers in modern music, often focusing on themes of empowerment and self-expression.
The “WAP” rapper arrived in the rural community accompanied by her father, Carlos Almánzar, and a small circle of close friends. Among those present for the family gathering was former senator Moreno Arias, who joined the singer and her relatives during the visit.
She shared a video with a Fernandito Villalona song and enjoying Dominican food in Montecristi.
The media reported that during her stay, Cardi B took note of the local development, highlighting the visible growth the community has experienced over the last several years. She specifically pointed to advancements in the healthcare sector within the northwestern Montecristi province, as well as improvements in other key areas vital to the region’s socio-economic progress.
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N Digital
El Nacional
11 March 2026