Cardi B is one of the most popular artists in the music industry, and with good reason. The Bronx-born rapper has taken the world by storm with mega hits like ‘Bodak Yellow’ and ‘WAP’. She’s won over legions of fans with her hilarious videos on Instagram. And she’s melted hearts across the world by letting her confident personality shine on stage, in interviews, and on the red carpet. Plus, she's got one hell of a purse collection that haters love to troll.
Fans want to know everything about this superstar rapper, including the explanations behind the creative and eye-catching tattoos that cover her body. While some of her tattoos are impossible to miss, others are so inconspicuous that you might not have even realized that she had them. We know that Cardi B has at least 10 tattoos, many of them tributes to the people in her life who mean the most to her. Keep reading for the interesting meanings behind Cardi B’s tattoos, from sisterly love to the code of loyalty.
An Ode to Family
If you watched Cardi B, who has just welcomed a baby boy, when she appeared as a main cast member on Love & Hip Hop: New York, you’ll know that family means a lot to her. The tattoo on the inside of Cardi’s left bicep—and perhaps one of her most famous—reads Hennessy. This is an ode not to the famous beverage, but to Cardi B’s younger sister, Hennessy Carolina.
The ‘Hennessy’ tattoo is one of the most beautiful of Cardi B’s tattoos, not just because of the three roses that decorate it. It’s a testament to the bond that she shares with Hennessy, who frequently appears on Cardi’s Instagram.
The Names of Exes
Tattoos are often a portrait of the life a person has led. So it makes sense that Cardi B has a bunch of tattoos dedicated to her exes.
One of the most obvious is the name ‘Tommy’ that appears on her wrist. This was for her ex Tommy Geez, whom she had a relationship while filming Love & Hip Hop.
Behind her neck, Cardi once had the name ‘Samuel’ written in red ink. Fans assume this is another ex, though Cardi has never publicly commented on it. And while these ex tattoos may have seemed like a good idea at the time, the rapper told Ellen DeGeneres that the tattoos of men’s names who she’s no longer in love with “gotta go!”
According to The List, Cardi followed through in June 2020 by having a colorful butterfly inked on the back of her neck, totally covering Samuel’s name. Clearly, this wasn’t a Cardi B tattoo that she wanted to keep around!
The rapper also has a third lover’s name tattooed on her body: that of her current husband Offset, real name Kiari Cephus. The tattoo sits on the back of her leg, just below her knee.
The Peacock Touch Up
One of Cardi B’s most famous tattoos is her gigantic peacock tattoo that runs down the right side of her body. In 2020, 10 years after she originally had the peacock done, she decided to touch it up.
“This whole week I been takin' hours of pain getting tatted,” she announced on Instagram, revealing the newly vibrant colors of the touched-up tatt.
The same year, Cardi had the tattoo artist who did her peacock tattoo—Jamie Schene—bless her with some more ink, this time in the form of a full-body of realistic flowers including magnolias, lilies, and peonies. Sitting on the left side of her body, the flowers run from her back all the way down to the back of her thigh.
Cardi hasn’t confirmed the precise meanings behind the peacock tattoo or the flowers, but some speculate that they could be a tribute to her super-creative personality and love of bold colors. These definitely are the most artistic of Cardi B's tattoos.
The Unknown Cheetah
Though Cardi’s not shy about showing off her tattoos, fans may not have noticed the cat that’s inked on her hip bone. Many have speculated that the big cat is actually a cheetah, but Cardi has never confirmed this or explained the meaning behind it.
These days, the hip bone cheetah tattoo is a little harder to spot (see what we did there) because it blends with Cardi’s stunning full-body flower tattoo. It’s a total mystery!
Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar
Tucked away under her right wrist is a tattoo that’s much smaller and simpler than some of Cardi’s other body art. The word ‘Belkis’ is thought to be a shortened version of Cardi’s birth name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar.
This tattoo seems to serve as a reminder for Cardi to stay true to her real self, which can be quite hard to do when fame and fortune come into the picture. But the rapper has never confirmed that meaning, so Belkis could really stand for anything!
The Importance of Love and Loyalty
Cardi B’s fans know of the rapper’s integrity and commitment to the values of love and loyalty. So it makes sense that she pays testament to love with a tattoo of “I love you” written in American sign language beside a little red star. The tattoo is located behind Cardi’s right ear.
The 'WAP' star also has a tattoo that reads “loyalty over royalty’ printed on her right arm. Again, Cardi has never come forward to explain this tattoo. But many fans believe it’s Cardi’s way of honoring those who have always been there for her over those who only showed up after she made it as one of the most successful female rappers of all time.
