The performance came less than a week after fans expected Cardi B to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall; however, the rapper instead just opened the awards show with a prank where she pretended to reveal her baby only to unveil a Moon Man statue.
– Cardi B gave birth last month, and the rapper is taking maternity leave seriously. Sources close to her tell TMZ she won't leave her newborn daughter to do a show unless she's being paid at least $300,000; the performance must also be close to home. She has performed once since giving birth—she made a surprise appearance at Migos' New York show over the weekend; her husband, Offset, is a member of the group—and TMZ notes it's not clear whether she dropped the $300,000 requirement for that concert. Either way, she'll likely have no trouble getting the paycheck she wants, as the gossip site says she's getting offers in the $500,000 range. At Jezebel, Bobby Finger notes that the story is simultaneously annoying and impressive: "It’s inspiring to see a new mother make headlines for using her fame and power to return to work on her terms," but it also highlights the extreme income inequality in the US; $300,000 is about five times the median household income for a US family. "Slayyyy mamaaaaa! Yikes, how will I ever retire!"