Funnyman Chris Rock once tried to turn a then-unknown Cardi B into the comedy world’s next big star by suggesting she front her own show.
The “Grown Ups” actor reveals his children turned him on to rap sensation Cardi before she rose to fame on the reality show “Love and Hip Hop: New York,” after which she launched her music career with her breakout smash “Bodak Yellow” back in 2017.
However, when he first heard the hip-hop star crack jokes to fans online, he thought she had the talent to embark on a major comedy career – and even tried to shop the idea to TV bosses.
“Cardi B, I saw on some, like, YouTube thing or whatever. Again, my kids show me this Cardi B girl, and she didn’t have a record out or anything,” Rock explained on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” “And I was like, ‘OK, we should go show it (propose the idea for a show).’ I’m not even gonna say what network but… I went – me, Cardi B and her management, you know, to kind of like get a show going.”
TV chiefs passed on the project, and although the “WAP” hitmaker made it clear she was more interested in finding success in the music industry, Rock was adamant she was destined for the comedy stage.
He recalls hearing about her music dreams and dismissively responding, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s good. Anyway. You’re a comedy star.”
Even now, Chris Rock believes Cardi, who is known for her witty remarks and quips online, has what it takes to joke around with the best of the best.
“I think Cardi B’s the funniest woman, or one of the funniest people,” he said. “You know, it’s like (Dave) Chappelle, Cardi. Like, in the standings right now, like who are the funniest people in the world? Cardi’s right up there. She’s neck and neck with Bill Burr. Like, she’s good, man… Cardi can hang with anybody.”