Cardi B’s sophomore album Am I the Drama — released September 19 — came packed with A-list features from the likes of Summer Walker, Kehlani, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lizzo. But it was her Janet Jackson-assisted track Principal that fans and critics alike had been buzzing about.
The collaboration made music history even before its debut. For the first time ever, Janet lent her vocals to another woman’s album, with the track built around a sample and interpolation of her 1987 classic Pleasure Principle.
Now the wait is over — Principal has officially landed on the Billboard Hot 100. The single debuted at No. 92 this week, powered by:
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Streaming: 5.3 million U.S. streams
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Radio airplay: 700,000 audience impressions
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Digital sales: 800 copies sold
For Janet, the feat is especially historic. The entry marks her first Hot 100 appearance since 2018’s Made for Now (No. 88), and it etches her name deeper into the record books:
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She becomes the first Black female artist to score Hot 100 hits across five different decades (80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s).
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Among women overall, only Madonna and Cher share the distinction.
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Across all Black artists, Janet joins a rare club that includes Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and her brother Michael Jackson.
With Am I the Drama already surpassing sales expectations, Cardi B and Janet Jackson’s Principal isn’t just a standout collaboration — it’s a cultural milestone.
