Rapper Cardi B attracted hundreds of people to a pop-up event in Washington Heights on Saturday, dancing in the street, posing for selfies and handing out food and drinks as she promoted her forthcoming album.
The event took place in front of Cloud Deli on West 159th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Hameed Al Halimi, who works at the deli, said the rapper bought almost 200 sandwiches and nearly 300 drinks for the crowd and that “everyone was dancing in the street.” The rapper announced the appearance on Instagram ahead of the surprise stop. One person was arrested on a minor charge during the gathering, and police had no additional details.
Witnesses described a festive scene that spilled into the neighborhood. Video and photographs from the event showed Cardi B dancing on top of her vehicle, twerking and taking selfies with fans. She also danced with a baby who was handed to her while she stood on the roof of the vehicle.
Alba Cruz, who lives across the street from the bodega, said people screamed, “Cardi B is the Queen,” when the rapper arrived. Paola Lara, 41, said she learned of the pop-up while walking her dog around 11 a.m. and waited because she “loves her music.” Brian Ventura, 14, said the crowd erupted when Cardi B appeared around 1 p.m. and that she took photographs with people outside the store.
The rapper’s visit came as she prepares to release her second studio album, "Am I the Drama?", which is scheduled for release Friday. Fans at the pop-up connected the appearance to a new single, “Bodega Baddie,” which references neighborhood bodegas and helped explain the choice of location for the event.
Al Halimi said Cardi B ordered “her favorite sandwich — honey Turkey provolone with tomato and mayo” for people outside the deli. Several attendees said many fans had waited for hours for a chance to see her. Images from the scene also showed young fans dancing on a police vehicle and people cheering in the street.
Pop-up appearances and surprise stops have been a recurring element of modern album promotion, offering artists a way to engage directly with fans in local settings. For Cardi B, the Washington Heights event highlighted both her connection with New York City neighborhoods and the grassroots enthusiasm surrounding her new music. Local officials provided limited comment on the gathering, and there were no reports of major incidents beyond the single minor arrest noted by police.