Rapper Cardi B recently praised life in Saudi Arabia, describing the country as much cleaner while acknowledging its strict and authoritarian system.
Cardi B is the latest among several American performers to travel to Saudi Arabia to entertain audiences, a move that has drawn criticism earlier this year. While in the country, she spoke about her experience living under its laws.
“I’m in Saudi Arabia and, so far, let me tell y’all about my experience. It’s very strict out here. They will put you under the jail,” she said. “They ain’t playing around. You will go to prison. However, it’s very easy to follow the rules here. The rules are very simple.”
The rapper repeatedly pointed out how bright and clean Saudi Arabia appeared. She said she was initially hesitant to visit because of restrictions on women and LGBTQ individuals but noted that the country has become more open in recent years.
Although Saudi Arabia has introduced reforms such as allowing women to drive in 2018, it still enforces conservative policies, including restrictions on openly wearing religious symbols like crucifixes. The country also continues to face international criticism over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Cardi B also expressed frustration with the United States, saying she feels the country is in decline.
“I’m starting not to like America,” she said. “America makes me pay taxes. The vice president is talking s— about me on Twitter. I don’t feel appreciated in America. Y’all need to convince me to come back.”
Rapper Cardi B praised life in Saudi Arabia, describing it as significantly “cleaner” than living in the United States.
“Why would I? Look at this country. Look how they treat me,” she said, adding of America, “It’s ghetto over there.”
During a livestream at 11:11 p.m., Cardi B appeared as if she were about to make the sign of the cross and make a wish, but stopped herself.
“I don’t even want to do the … you know what I’m saying? It’s illegal over here, honey. You can only believe in Allah over here,” she explained.
While visiting the Middle East, Cardi B described Saudi Arabia as much stricter than the United States, stating, “They will put you under the jail.”
“You can’t wear crosses or anything,” she added, referring to local regulations.
“They don’t be playing over here. But you know what I’m saying? You just have to show respect. That’s the thing. Americans don’t always respect other people’s customs,” she explained.
Cardi B also criticized the United States for what she sees as a decline in manners and cleanliness, particularly regarding public homelessness.
“America just got no courtesy. We ghetto. We just dusty. I’m sorry to say,” she said. “And I’m an American myself, honey, but goddamn. This country is so clean. I haven’t even seen a bum. I don’t think there’s bums here.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Cardi B’s representatives for comment.
Later, she shared a video titled, ‘Coming back to America from Saudi Arabia and realizing this is what I’m coming home to,’ showing her looking distressed as audio of crying babies and a woman speaking in a foreign language played in the background.
