Billboard has compiled a timeline of the all-star hip-hop couple’s relationship, from collaborating on music to filing for divorce.
Dec. 2016: Cardi B Teases “Lick” Collaboration With Offset
While it is possible that the two never met during recording, the pair were linked nearly a month prior to the Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 2 release. In a since-deleted Instagram post by Cardi B, she danced and made it rain in the club while teasing the collaborative track.
Feb. 2017: Super Bowl Date
According to a Migos interview with Rolling Stone, Offset admitted that after watching Cardi rise as an artist, he had a publicist set up a dinner in New York with a group of women, including the Bronx rapper in early 2017. “I was like, ‘Damn, I am on her!’ ” he said. “I am like, ‘Shit, I like Cardi B!’ ”
However, it wasn’t until the Super Bowl that the couple were first seen holding hands in public. Cardi B was also spotted in a live video streamed by Offset, which was later reposted by fan accounts.
Fans of both Migos and Cardi B tweeted hilarious captions to paparazzi shots of the couple, noting that they were about to become serious #RelationshipGoals.
Feb. 14: Cardi Posts a Telling Video On Her Instagram
On Valentine’s Day, Cardi B posted an Instagram video of her and her “babe” Offset. Judging by the pair’s outfits and the stadium seats in the background, it’s a video from their hot date to the Super Bowl earlier that month.
March 2017: Cardi Denies Relationship Rumors
“I’m not saying I’m dating an Atlanta guy,” Cardi said during a Fader interview after being asked about the potential relationship. She refused to offer any further comment on the speculations.
April 2017: Offset Also Denies Relationship Rumors
Soon after, during a Migos interview with Tim Westwood, Offset only offered a playful smirk on the subject of Cardi B, while the rest of the group laughed. “Shout out Cardi B,” said Migos member Quavo. Earlier that month, Westwood received the same silent treatment when he asked Offset about his relationship to the Bronx rapper.
May 2017: Cardi B and Offset Attend the Met Gala After Party
Cardi B and Offset were seen at the Met Gala after party together at 1 Oak nightclub. According to reports, the couple appeared more smitten than ever. Cardi B dressed in a dazzling blush pink sheer dress, while Offset rocked a velvet turtleneck with chains.
June 2017: Cardi B Still Doesn’t Confirm Her Relationship With Offset
“It’s been a blessing, me meeting him and meeting his friends,” Cardi B told Fader about her friendship with Migos. “I see how hard they work. And that motivated me to work even harder.” While she didn’t confirm any romantic ties to the Atlanta rapper, she stated “a lot of positive things came out of that [meeting].” Later that month, the two attended the BET awards separately.
July 2017: Offset Buys Cardi a $60,000 Chain
While backstage at a Meek Mill concert, Cardi B and Offset appeared happier than ever as she flashed her personalized chain gifted to her by Offset.
Cardi B and Offset at Meek Mill’s Concert Tonight pic.twitter.com/7JMZGVMiKj
— Daily Cardi (@DailyCardi) July 25, 2017
Celebrity jeweler Elliot Avianne posted the chain to his Instagram account with the caption: “Bloody Moves.” The chain included a Cardi B-esque hand with red nails, rings and a red bandana.
Aug. 2017: Cardi Shuts Down Engagement Rumors
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Offset posted a video rocking a massive ring on his pinky finger. However, Cardi B denied engagement rumors at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards. “It is not true,” she said to Us Weekly and other reporters.
Oct. 11, 2017: Offset Wishes Cardi a Happy Birthday With Loving Instagram Post
Migos were on tour promoting their second album Culture in New Zealand on Cardi B’s birthday, but that didn’t stop Offset from posting adorable videos and photos of the two in honor of the big day. Offset shared an intimate video with his girlfriend, and a candid photo with the caption: “H A P P Y B D A Y U ARE AMAZING TO ME YOU GOT IT OUT DA MUDD NO HELP NOBODY WAS BELIEVING AT FIRST BUT THAT MADE YOU GO HARDER U NOT WEAK U TAKE CARE YA WHOLE FAMILY AND ME —- I L O V E Y O U.”
In her true Cardi B style, she realized the negative implications of her beau not being in town for her birthday. “Oh, my gosh, I’m not getting no dick on my birthday,” Cardi told Rolling Stone in her 2017 cover story. She wouldn’t have anyway, as she noted, “Because I got my period.”
Oct. 21, 2017: Cardi B Says She’s Single
In since-deleted Instagram posts, Cardi B captioned a selfie “single” and a separate photo “Peace nikka,” fueling rumors that she and Offset had broken up.
Oct. 22, 2017: Cardi & Offset are Back On
It wasn’t long before Cardi B reacted to the slew of breakup rumors by sending out a series of hilarious tweets. “Reasons why me and Offset got into it,” she began on Twitter, “I thought he stole my purple blanket but it wasn’t him so I’m still looking for the suspect.” The “Bodak Yellow” star also added that “on a serious note,” she is still head over heels for her man, who was “gifted to [her] from Jesus.”
?Later that month, she explained the situation further on her Instagram Story. “So listen babes, I exaggerated a lil bit earlier cause I was really upset and the Bronx girl in me always have to go to the extreme. I came to my senses now. I’m sorry … waffle house on me?” she wrote.
Oct. 29, 2017: Offset Proposes to Cardi B
Judging by their turbulent relationship, it is safe to say no one saw this coming. During a sold-out performance for Power 99’s Powerhouse in Philadelphia, Offset got down on one knee to pop the question to the Bronx rapper on stage. Of course, the crowd went wild and Cardi B said yes. Later, she showed off the massive, $500,000 teardrop-shaped rock backstage.
Dec. 21, 2017: Cardi B Mentions Offset in “Bartier Cardi”
Cardi B wrapped up her incredible year with the release of her single “Bartier Cardi,” making sure to reference her fiancee Offset in the lyrics: “Cardi put the p—y on Offset/Cartier, Cardi B brain on Offset.”
Dec. 24, 2017: Offset Accused Of Cheating On Cardi B
An alleged video surfaced of what appeared to be Offset with another naked woman in a hotel. The Migos rapper reportedly claimed that his iCloud was hacked. Days later, a model named Celine Powell claimed to be pregnant with Offset’s baby.
Although both Offset and Cardi denied the cheating rumors, Cardi was spotted without her engagement ring during a New Year’s Eve public appearance.
Jan. 9, 2018: Cardi Addresses Cheating Rumors
In a since-deleted tweet, the Bronx rapper shared her opinion on the rumors surrounding her situation with Offset. “Why is it a problem that I want to take my time with a decision on my relationship ?” she wrote. “Why do I have to explain myself? I don’t ask ya why you still with that man that lives with his mom, that don’t pay your bills … Since when you guys had perfect relationship?”
Jan. 14, 2018: Offset Gets a Cardi B Tattoo
In a since-deleted Instagram video, Cardi caresses Offset’s neck and reveals his new “Cardi B” tattoo.
Feb. 2018: Cardi B Says She’s Not Pregnant
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Cardi B shared a video of her lip-synching and dancing along to a remix of the 2017 hit “Ahora Dice.” After an internet troll commented asking the Bronx rapper to share her “secret,” referring to a possible baby-bump stomach, Cardi fired back: “No b*tch I’m just getting fat. Let me fat in peace.”
March 19, 2018: Cardi B Addresses Offset Cheating Rumors
As Cosmopolitan‘s April cover star, Cardi B opened up about her situation with Offset. “It’s like everybody is coming down my neck like, ‘Why are you not leaving him? You have low self-esteem.’ I don’t have low self-esteem…I know I look good,” Cardi told Cosmopolitan in an interview. “I know I’m rich, I know I’m talented. I know I could get any man I want — any basketball player, football player. But I want to work out my shit with my man, and I don’t got to explain why. I’m not your property. This is my life…I’m going to take my time, and I’m going to decide on my decision…it’s not right, what he fucking did — but people don’t know what I did, ’cause I ain’t no angel.” She wrapped up with a hilarious question for her haters: “Since when are all these women dating pastors and deacons?”
March 29, 2018: Cardi B Issues a Warning
Cardi B released the single “Be Careful With Me,” that would later appear on her Invasion of Privacy album. While the entire song addresses the ups and downs of their relationship, in the chorus, the rapper gives a clear warning to — who else could it be? — Offset: “Be careful with me/do you know what you doin’?/Whose feelings that you hurtin’ and bruisin’?/You gon’ gain the whole world/But is it worth the girl that you’re losin’?”
April 7, 2018: Cardi Reveals Her Baby Bump On SNL
After months of denying pregnancy rumors, Cardi announced that she was in fact, pregnant with Offset’s baby. She also took the stage on Saturday Night Live to perform “Be Careful With Me” in a dazzling white gown, accentuating her now-huge baby bump.
April 9, 2018: Cardi Addresses Cheating Rumors Again
In an interview with GQ, Cardi B once again commented on the rumors surrounding her and Offset’s rocky relationship. “For a long time we was in love with each other but we didn’t really trust in each other,” she said. “It was like a competition of who’s gonna hit each other up first. I don’t want to hit him up first; he will hit me up first. People used to put things in my head: ‘He gonna leave you. He be f–king with mad bitches.’ People used to put things in his head: ‘Cardi, she’s a dog. Don’t trust her.’ We never really trusted each other because I always feel like he could get any girl he wants — what makes me think he’s gonna want me? I think he felt the same way. N—as want to be with me, and bitches wanna be with him.”
She also mentioned that Offset is a great business partner. “I don’t really know the music business too well,” she admitted. “So I always feel like people taking advantage of me, he’s always making sure that I’m well taken care of or that I learn something.”
May 2018: Offset and Cardi Attend the Met Gala Separately
A pregnant Cardi B swept the crowd at this year’s met gala in a jewel-encrusted dress and matching headpiece, making her red carpet appearance with designer Jeremy Scott.
Offset, on the other hand, attended the gala with his Migos members in Versace suits. Cardi B and Offset later attended the Met Gala after party together.
June 20, 2018: Cardi B and Offset Share Rolling Stone Cover
Rolling Stone‘s June cover featured pregnant Cardi with Offset kissing her belly alongside the caption, “Cardi B & Offset: A Hip Hop Love Story.”
June 25, 2018: Cardi Admits The Pair Were Already Married
Cardi B took to Twitter to tell the spontaneous story of her marriage to Offset in Sept. 2017. While there was no ring or dress involved, the Bronx rapper ended her announcement with another message to her haters. “Well now since you nosey lil f–ks know, at least you can stop saying I had a baby out of wedlock,” she wrote.
July 10, 2018: Baby Kulture Finally Arrives
According to TMZ, as a tribute to Offset, whose real name is Kiari Cephus, the couple decided to name their new daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus.
Oct. 9, 2018: Cardi Addresses Cheating Rumors Again
“When I got married with my dude, we still had a lot of doubts, because our relationship is not like everybody’s,” she told W in an interview. “He was always traveling, and I was always traveling. We’re artists. So I used to see him, like, twice a week, and, you know, he’s known for having different women, and I’m known for, like, not taking sh*t from guys. But we really loved each other, and we was scared to lose each other.”
Nov. 2018: Offset Hints at Collab Album With Cardi
In an interview with The New York Times, Offset hinted that him and wifey Cardi could possibly drop a joint album, Beyonce and Jay-Z style. “I have no distractions,” he told The New York Times. “And me and her? We haven’t even dropped an album yet. That’s a whole other realm.” He also added that marrying Cardi was “the best thing that’s happened” to him. “I’d seen [Cardi’s] potential, her vision, her grind,” he said. “Whatever she does, she’s going to master it. She’s like me…she brings excitement and pressure to me, but I like that…I have a wife and a child — that changed my whole everything. I was a young hothead, but now I understand the value of life.”
Dec. 5, 2018: Cardi Announces Her Split From Offset
Cardi B shared a video to Instagram announcing her split from Offset after a long and emotional journey.
“There you go, peace and love,” she captioned the since-deleted Instagram video.
Dec. 9, 2018: Offset Gets Emotional About Cardi on Twitter
The rapper let everyone know how he felt about the breakup with one simple tweet: “FUCK YALL I MISS CARDI.”
Dec. 15, 2018: Offset Tries to Get Cardi Back — In a Very Public Way
The day after his 27th birthday, Offset took to social media to comment on their relationship again, this time with a very candid apology to his ex. “I only have one birthday wish, and that’s to get my wife back,” he said in a video posted to Instagram. He went on to apologize for “breaking your heart, breaking our promise, breaking God’s promise and being a selfish, messed-up husband” and made it clear that wasn’t ready to give up: “I wanna be able to spend the rest of my life with you.”
His apology turned into an even more public affair when he crashed Cardi’s headlining set at Rolling Loud in Los Angeles that night. Offset showed up with a lavish floral arrangement that read “TAKE ME BACK, CARDI,” a gesture that didn’t go over so well. He and his flowers were quietly removed from the stage.
Dec. 16, 2018: Cardi and Offset Both Address What Happened at Rolling Loud
In a set of since-deleted videos shared on Instagram, Cardi thanked fans for their support — but politely told them to stop making Offset feel bad with negative comments on the Internet. “Violating my baby father is not going to make me feel any better, because at the end of the day, that’s still family,” she said.
“I’m not saying that I’m gonna get back together with him,” Cardi clarified. “I just don’t like that bashing online thing.”
Offset left his own thoughts on Twitter following his failed public apology to Cardi. “All of my wrongs have been made public, i figure It’s only right that my apologies are made public too,” he explained.
Jan. 31, 2019: Cardi and Offset Reconcile and Lay Down New Relationship Rules
TMZ reported that Cardi returned to their home in Atlanta for the first time since she split with him during the previous month. In an Instagram story, she posted a screenshot of her FaceTime call where Offset was kissing Kulture. “I wanna go home,” she wrote. The TMZ report also mentioned the Migos rapper changed his cellphone number and is adhering to a “no groupies” rule to show he’s honest and faithful.
Feb. 10, 2019: They Step onto the 2019 Grammys Red Carpet Together
Cardi and Offset French-kissed and made up ahead of the 61st Grammy Awards, where Cardi was nominated for five awards, including album of the year. She eventually became the first female singer to win best rap album with Invasion of Privacy.
“Babe, I can’t breathe,” she exclaimed to Offset, whom she brought on stage for her acceptance speech. “You, husband, thank you. Nah, serious, because he was like, ‘You gonna do this album, girl. We gonna have this baby. We gonna make this album.'”
May 1, 2019: Their PDA Strikes Again at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards
Cardi and Offset turned the red carpet even hotter at the 2019 BBMAs, where they smooched for their glam shots in the beginning of the night. Cardi, who lead with 21 nominations and ended up winning for top rap female artist, posted an Instagram video of her and Offset walking to the awards show with the caption, “I love you babe. Thank you for always uplifting and encouraging me and loving my crazy a–.”
July 17, 2019: Cardi and Offset Perform “Clout”
In support of his debut studio album Father of Four, Offset brought out wifey for his outdoor performance of “Clout” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Sept. 10, 2019: Cardi and Offset Celebrate Their Second Marriage Anniversary
Cardi shared a sweet backstage photo of her and her hubby on the second anniversary of their nuptials. “9/20/17 Happy marriage anniversary hubby. We keep learning and growing.Thats what marriage about,” she captioned the post.
Offset shared a touching video montage dedicated to his woman with his “Don’t Lose Me” track, which talks about winning her back, playing in the background. “Today is our anniversary nobody believed it was real. We got married without nobody knowing because it was only between us and God! Now we have beautiful Kulture and a big family,” he wrote. “I love you 4ever and after life.”
Dec. 9, 2019: Cardi Tells Vogue Why She Took Offset Back
In her January 2020 cover story interview, the “I Do” rapper publicly set the record straight for the first time why she stayed with Offset despite the cheating scandals.
“When me and my husband got into our issues—you know, he cheated and everything—and I decided to stay with him and work together with him, a lot of people were so mad at me; a lot of women felt disappointed in me,” Cardi said. “But it’s real-life sh–. If you love somebody and you stop being with them, and you’re depressed and social media is telling you not to talk to that person because he cheated, you’re not really happy on the inside until you have the conversation. Then, if you get back with them, it’s like, how could you? You let all of us down. People that be in marriages for years, when they say till death do us part, they not talking about little arguments like if you leave the fridge open. That’s including everything.”
Cardi also explained how priests were involved in their reconciliation process, which she believes concerns no one else except for the two of them. “Everybody has issues. I believe in forgiveness. I prayed on it. Me and my husband, we prayed on it. We had priests come to us,” she continued. “And we just came to an understanding like, bro, it’s really us against the world. He has my back for everything, I have his back for everything, so when you cheat, you’re betraying the person that has your back the most. Why would you do that? We have come to a clear understanding. For me, monogamy is the only way. I’ll beat your a– if you cheat on me.”
Dec. 24, 2019: Cardi and Offset Give a Tour of Their “Dream House”
After two years of house hunting, the two lovebirds locked it down together in their $5.8 million Atlanta mansion, complete with a gun range and wine cellar, just in time for Christmas. Cardi didn’t mind showing off their “dream house” to her 75 million Instagram followers by posted numerous IGTV videos.
Jan. 26, 2020: The Two Attend the 2020 Grammys When They’re Both Nominated for “Clout”
The couple’s appearance at the 62nd Grammy Awards wasn’t as PDA-packed as the year before. But this time around, the two are nominated for best rap performance for “Clout.”
May 10, 2020: Offset Spoils Cardi with Birkins and Roses for Mother’s Day
Offset wrote a sweet note for Cardi on Mother’s Day underneath a candid family picture he posted on Instagram: “Happy Mother’s Day since I met you it’s been love thank you for my beautiful daughter she smart with attitude like you and talented like us both my kids and you help me become a better guy all around Thank You WIFE !!!!”
But Cardi showed just how generous Offset can be when she posted up with her presents, including lime green and turquoise Hermès Birkin bags and 36 bouquets of red, gold and purple roses (with 36 flowers in each, making for a total of 1,080 roses).
June 21, 2020: Cardi Posts Father’s Day Tribute to Offset with All His Children
Cardi returned the love to Offset on Father’s Day by posting a picture of him with Kulture and her three half-siblings Jordan, Kody and Kalea. She separately posted an older video of Kulture saying “Baba” while tugging on her napping father’s braids. “Happy Father’s Day again !!! This still happens till this day but now she smacks him,” she captioned the cute clip.
Page Six reported officially celebrated the holiday at the newly reopened Tao LA, where their party was divided amongst different tables to abide by social distancing requirements amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 2020 – Cardi B Addresses Cheating Scandal in Vogue
In her Vogue January 2020 cover story, the “hitmaker explained why she stayed with Offset despite numerous cheating scandals and fans’ criticisms about her decision.
“When me and my husband got into our issues—you know, he cheated and everything—and I decided to stay with him and work together with him, a lot of people were so mad at me; a lot of women felt disappointed in me,” she explained. “But it’s real-life sh–. If you love somebody and you stop being with them, and you’re depressed and social media is telling you not to talk to that person because he cheated, you’re not really happy on the inside until you have the conversation. Then, if you get back with them, it’s like, how could you? You let all of us down. People that be in marriages for years, when they say till death do us part, they not talking about little arguments like if you leave the fridge open. That’s including everything.”
September 15, 2020 – Cardi Files for Divorce
Cardi B filed for divorce from Offset on Tuesday (Sept. 15) after being married for three years, according to the Fulton County Magistrate in Georgia.
The filing on Fulton County website spells out Cardi B and Offset’s real names in the contested divorce case titled “Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar vs. Kiari Kendrell Cephus.” The court documents obtained by Billboard indicate that Cardi is asking the court to award her primarily legal and physical custody of their child. Their hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. This comes just five days before their third anniversary.
