Cardi B is reportedly facing mounting production costs as her upcoming Little Miss Drama tour has gone several million dollars over budget, just weeks before she returns to the Saturday Night Live stage in New York City on January 31, 2026. According to AllHipHop, the Bronx rapper’s first headlining run, which kicks off February 11 in Palm Desert, California, is now “over a couple of million” beyond its original financial plan, creating a major talking point in hip-hop touring and live show economics.[2]
Speaking candidly on Instagram Live, Cardi B admitted she is struggling to keep the numbers in check as rehearsals ramp up. “I’m over a couple of million on my tour budget,” she told fans, explaining that her team has already reworked the figures multiple times but still hasn’t closed the gap.[1][3] She added that she may have to put up her own money to achieve the high-impact production she envisions, saying she has to “go find the f***ing money” if she wants to keep every element of the show intact.[3] ABC Audio and Rap-Up both report that the rapper feels the budget is being revised “every other week,” underscoring how quickly costs are escalating in the current touring landscape.[1][3]
The Grammy winner also downplayed comparisons to arena superstars while still promising an immersive experience. “I ain’t no damn Beyoncé, so don’t be expecting any of that,” she joked, clarifying that she doesn’t have that level of “production money” but is still “gonna give it all I got.”[1][3][5] Cardi emphasized that the Little Miss Drama tour is designed first and foremost for Bardi Gang and casual fans who simply want to have a good time, even as she juggles demanding choreography rehearsals and long days in Los Angeles that she admitted are wearing on her.[1][3]
AllHipHop notes that the budget overrun lands at a pivotal moment, with Cardi B reportedly set to return to SNL as musical guest alongside first-time host Alexander Skarsgård on January 31, just eleven days before the tour launch.[2] That national TV look is expected to serve as a key promotional boost for Little Miss Drama, Cardi’s first major touring venture as a mother of four and a significant step in her post-2025 run, after being named AllHipHop’s Rapper of the Year.[2] As rising production expectations and inflation continue to reshape the economics of hip-hop touring, Cardi B’s over-budget investment reportedly signals both the financial risk and artistic ambition behind one of 2026’s most scrutinized rap tours.
