Imaginary Playerz


"Imaginary Playerz" is a song by American rapper Cardi B. It was released on August 15, 2025, through Atlantic Records as the second single from her second studio album, Am I the Drama?. The song was written by Cardi B, Jordan Thorpe, and its producers James "DJ SwanQo" Steed, Saleem "OctaneThisThatGas" Allen, and Matthew "Sean Island" Allen, and samples Jay-Z's 1997 track "Imaginary Player". The song peaked at number 66 on the US [Billboard Hot 100|Billboard Hot 100], following the release of Am I the Drama?.

Background

On June 22, 2025, Cardi B announced her second studio album Am I the Drama?, due for release on September 19. The album's lead single "Outside" was released on June 20, debuting within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. On August 11, Cardi B revealed her follow-up single "Imaginary Playerz" would be released on August 15, describing it as "Just a lil taste of the drama." The announcement was accompanied by the single's cover art of herself with pink hair and a white fur coat in front of a white Rolls Royce. The rapper confirmed an accompanying music video with a teaser clip the day before its release.

Music and lyrics

"Imaginary Playerz" samples Jay-Z's 1997 track "Imaginary Players" from his second studio album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Prior to the song's release, she shared with fans on Twitter Spaces that "the one and only", referring to Jay-Z, personally approved her use of "Imaginary Players" and admitted that if he had not approved of the song, she would have reflected "'OK, maybe I just had to come a little bit harder.' But I'm glad that I came hard and he loved it." She also shared on Instagram Live that she "fought really hard to put this song out" with those who wanted a different direction while she wanted to go for a hip-hop sound, describing it as "real calm flex shit", and that "When text back, my manager, the record was clear, it was at 4:44 pm," taking the time as a sign with respect to the rapper's latest solo studio album 4:44.

Critical reception

Billboard ranked "Imaginary Playerz" as the fourteenth-best song on the album. They argued that the song should have stayed a B-side instead of being released as a single, which raised expectations for the track. However, they felt that the song made sense with the album's themes and would grow on listeners in context of the full album.

Music video

The official music video was directed by Cardi B and Patientce Foster and released alongside the single. In the video, Cardi B turns a New York airport tarmac into a fashion show runway with a red ballroom gown. After taking a private jet to Mykonos, Greece, she is then shown spending a day on a yacht. The rapper enjoys a lobster dinner on the beach and then returns to her five-star resort for a foot bath with champagne. In the final scene, she models couture looks before heading out for a night in Paris.

Credits and personnel

Credits were adapted from Tidal.
Musicians
Technical