In an appearance on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, Cardi B opened up about why she feels a “responsibility” to actively engage with politics.
In a clip from the newly dropped episode, as seen above, Cardi talked about her decision to utilize her platform on political issues, but not doing the same in her music.
“I don’t really put a lot of political things in my music, but I used the fuck out of my platform,” said Cardi. “And I have used my platform even when I was a dancer. Because you might think that people are not looking, but they are.”
Cardi B’s songs might not veer toward politics too often—even if “WAP” became an issue in that arena when it arrived—but she’s always been happy to engage with politicians. In the past, she’s sat down for interviews with both Sen. Bernie Sanders and President Joe Biden. She’s also frequently responded to far-right political pundit Candace Owens.
“I mean, I’m a hood chick, and I’m from the Bronx,” Cardi told Letterman. “A lot of people relate to me and follow me because they want to see how I’m dressed, they want to see my lifestyle. I feel like I have a responsibility to also share to them like, ‘Hey, while you here and you’re checking my outfit and checking my music, check out what’s going on over here in this part of the world.’”
