Cardi B heads to Hopkins for impromptu set

Johns Hopkins University filled a weekend concert slot with a surprise appearance from Cardi B. The event was part of the school's annual Hoptoberfest, a fall festival organized by the student affairs team.

The original headliner, singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar, canceled his performance on Saturday due to unforeseen circumstances. The Hopkins Student Organization for Programming announced the change on social media. The concert was moved to Sunday evening and held in the Ralph S. O'Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being.

Cardi B stepped in as the replacement artist. She is a Grammy Award winner known for tracks like Bodak Yellow and WAP. She holds the record for the most No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 among women rappers. Her 2019 debut album, Invasion of Privacy, was the first solo rap album by a woman to win the Grammy for best rap album. Her 2024 release, Am I the Drama?, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The university did not immediately respond to requests for information regarding the payment for the performance. The show was exclusive to Hopkins students, who were required to present valid school identification to enter.

The set took place in an intimate setting compared to the artist's usual arena tours. She wore a green wig, black leggings, and a pink striped T-shirt. During the performance, she addressed the student audience directly. She told the crowd that they needed to pass their semester. She also advised them not to ask ChatGPT for answers.

The university is currently investing millions of dollars in a new institute focused on artificial intelligence and data science. Cardi B posted behind-the-scenes images from the event on Instagram. She left Baltimore immediately after the show on a private plane. She shared a video at 4:08 a.m. showing a large bag of Old Bay-seasoned crabs. She said in the clip that she would have a long night eating them alone.

The rapper has ties to the mid-Atlantic region. Her boyfriend and the father of her youngest child, Stefon Diggs, plays wide receiver for the Washington Commanders.