Cardi B is juggling a major TV look and an ambitious road show, as the Bronx star has reportedly been tapped as an upcoming musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” while her “Little Miss Drama” tour runs several million dollars over budget. According to Billboard, the Grammy-winning rapper discussed the escalating production costs on Instagram Live in early January, just weeks before the North American trek kicks off on February 11 in Palm Desert, California, even as she lines up new promo opportunities around the Super Bowl period.
On the livestream, Cardi B told fans she is “over a couple of million” on the tour budget after repeatedly reworking the numbers with her team, explaining that she may have to front her own money to deliver the stage show she wants. According to Rap-Up, she said, “We redid the budget, so now it’s just, like, I gotta go find the f**king money, or I would have to put [up] some of my own money for things that I want,” adding that the figures keep changing “every other week.”[1][3] The “Little Miss Drama” run, in support of her sophomore album *Am I The Drama?*, will hit cities including Houston, Detroit, New York, Chicago, Seattle and Toronto before wrapping with two shows at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.[1][3]
Despite the financial strain, Cardi emphasized that the tour is designed as a full-on experience for her core BardiGang fanbase. “This tour is catered to BardiGang—and to people that are not even BardiGang but are just some type of fan of mine or just want to come have a good time,” she said, stressing that she is “working hard” and “popping it” in rehearsal.[2][3] She also downplayed comparisons to arena superstars, joking on Live, “I ain’t no damn Beyoncé… I don’t got that production money, but b***h, I’ma give it all I got.”[1][2][4] At the same time, she admitted the intense choreography and long days in Los Angeles have her “ready to go home” and “not liking being in LA anymore.”[2][3]
The reported “Saturday Night Live” slot arrives as Cardi B leans into a high-stakes rollout that intersects with Super Bowl-related speculation, adding extra visibility to a tour that is already a costly swing. With modern hip-hop productions increasingly resembling arena pop and rock shows, her willingness to run millions over budget underscores both the financial risks and artistic pressure facing A-list rap acts on the road. For fans, Cardi B’s candid updates suggest they can expect a big, personality-driven live show—one she is clearly determined to deliver, even if it comes at a premium price.
