In a fiery exchange that has sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community, Joe Budden has publicly criticized Cardi B’s latest single, “Imaginary Players,” which controversially samples Jay-Z’s iconic 1997 track. During a recent episode of his podcast, Budden didn’t mince words, declaring unequivocally, “Don’t do that again,” as he slammed the choice to reinterpret such a revered classic.

Budden’s scathing remarks come as Cardi B gears up for the release of her highly anticipated album, “Am I the Drama,” set to drop in September. The rapper’s new single, however, has landed with a thud in Budden’s ears, who argued that the beat simply does not align with Cardi’s unique style. He further emphasized the gravity of sampling a track from one of hip-hop’s East Coast legends, insisting that the artistic risk was not worth taking.

Despite acknowledging the skill of the writers behind the track, Budden was unrelenting in his critique of Cardi’s delivery, claiming it lacked the necessary punch and flow to do justice to the original. “Imaginary Players” marks a pivotal moment in Cardi’s career, following her critically acclaimed debut, “Invasion of Privacy,” but Budden’s harsh feedback raises questions about her new musical direction.

As the debate ignites across social media, fans are left to ponder: Did Cardi B overstep by sampling Jay-Z, or is Budden’s critique an overreaction? With tensions flaring in the hip-hop world, all eyes are on Cardi as she prepares for the album drop. What will her response be? The clock is ticking, and the conversation is just getting started.