In a recent episode of his podcast, Joe Budden has ignited discussions in the music industry with his critical review of Cardi B’s new single, “Imaginary Players.” The track, which samples Jay-Z’s classic 1997 song, has drawn mixed reactions, but Budden was particularly vocal about his disapproval.

During the podcast, Budden did not shy away from expressing his feelings about the song, stating outright that he is not a fan of “Imaginary Players.” He argued that the song’s beat does not align with Cardi B’s artistic style and questioned the choice to sample such a revered track. Budden emphasized, “Don’t do that again,” referring to Cardi’s decision to rework a classic East Coast hip-hop beat.

Budden also acknowledged the contributions of the songwriters, praising their work while ultimately concluding that the execution did not meet his expectations. He remarked on the choppiness of Cardi B’s delivery, suggesting that the track fell short in both flow and overall impact. “Those punchins were how choppy that was,” he noted, reflecting on the technical aspects of her performance.

“Imaginary Players” serves as the second single from Cardi B’s upcoming album, “Am I the Drama,” which is eagerly awaited by fans and critics alike. This new project follows her highly successful debut album, “Invasion of Privacy,” released in 2018, which won a Grammy and solidified her status in the music industry.

As the conversation surrounding Budden’s comments continues, fans of both artists are left to ponder the implications of sampling iconic tracks and the artistic decisions behind them. With an album release on the horizon, Cardi B’s direction and stylistic choices will undoubtedly remain a topic of interest in the hip-hop community.

What are your thoughts on Joe Budden’s critique and Cardi B’s new musical venture? The music world eagerly awaits the responses from fans and fellow artists alike.