On August 12, 2025, the internet erupted with excitement and disbelief when a series of never-before-seen childhood photos of Cardi B surfaced online, shared by a close family friend on Instagram. The images, capturing a young Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar growing up in the Bronx, New York, offered a nostalgic glimpse into the rapper’s early years. However, what truly set social media ablaze was the striking resemblance between a young Cardi and her seven-year-old daughter, Kulture Kiari Cephus. Fans across X, TikTok, and Instagram couldn’t stop marveling at how Kulture is practically a carbon copy of her mother as a child, sparking viral discussions, memes, and heartfelt reactions about the power of genetics and Cardi’s enduring influence as a mother and superstar.

A Nostalgic Look at Cardi’s Childhood

The leaked photos, posted by a childhood friend of Cardi’s who goes by the Instagram handle @BronxBabySnaps, featured a young Cardi at various stages of her childhood, from toddlerhood to her preteen years. In one image, a five-year-old Cardi beams at the camera, her braided pigtails adorned with colorful beads, wearing a bright red dress and sneakers. Another photo shows her at around eight years old, striking a confident pose in a denim jacket, with a mischievous grin that fans immediately recognized as her signature charisma. A third image, taken at a family gathering, captures a young Cardi dancing with her cousins, her energy and flair already hinting at the larger-than-life personality that would make her a global icon.

The photos, reportedly shared with Cardi’s blessing, offered a rare look into her life before fame. Raised in a Dominican and Trinidadian household in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, Cardi has often spoken about her humble beginnings and the cultural influences that shaped her. The images showed her surrounded by family, with plates of arroz con pollo and tostones in the background, reflecting the vibrant Caribbean heritage she’s proud to pass down to her children. Fans were touched by the authenticity of the moments captured, with one X user writing, “Seeing little Cardi in the Bronx with her family hits different. She’s been real from day one.”

The Instagram post quickly went viral, amassing over 3 million likes and thousands of comments. Fans flooded the comment section with heart-eyes emojis and nostalgic remarks, with many noting how Cardi’s bold personality was evident even as a child. “Baby Cardi was already serving looks and attitude!” one user commented. Another wrote, “She was born to be a star, you can see it in her eyes.” But it was the comparisons to Kulture that truly stole the show, as fans couldn’t get over how much Cardi’s eldest daughter resembles her mother’s childhood self.

Kulture: A Mini Cardi in Every Way

Cardi B, now 32, is a mother of three, sharing daughters Kulture, 7, and Blossom, 11 months, and son Wave, 3, with estranged husband Offset. Kulture, born in July 2018, has long been a fan favorite, with Cardi frequently sharing adorable moments of her daughter on social media. From twinning in matching outfits to Kulture’s sassy poses on Instagram, fans have often remarked on her resemblance to Cardi, both in looks and personality. However, the newly surfaced childhood photos took these comparisons to a new level, leaving netizens in awe of their uncanny similarities.

In one side-by-side comparison that went viral on TikTok, a photo of five-year-old Cardi was placed next to a recent image of Kulture at a similar age. Both girls share the same wide, expressive eyes, high cheekbones, and radiant smile, with Kulture’s braided hairstyle mirroring her mother’s childhood look. Another comparison highlighted their identical smirks, with fans joking that Kulture inherited Cardi’s “Bardi energy.” A TikTok video, which garnered over 5 million views, captioned the comparison, “Kulture is Cardi B’s clone! Did Offset contribute anything? 😭” The comment section was filled with laughing emojis and remarks like, “This is genetics on steroids!” and “Kulture said, ‘I’m taking Mommy’s whole face!’”

Cardi herself leaned into the buzz, reposting the side-by-side comparison on her Instagram Story with the caption, “My mini-me fr 😍 KK got my whole soul.” She also took to X, tweeting, “Y’all wild for this, but yeah, my baby got my face AND my attitude 😂 #BardiGang.” Her playful response only fueled the conversation, with fans flooding X with hashtags like #CardiAndKultureTwins and #MiniBardi. One user tweeted, “Kulture is Cardi reincarnated, same face, same vibe, same EVERYTHING.” Another wrote, “Cardi was out here being iconic at 5, and Kulture’s carrying the torch.”

The Internet Goes Wild

The resemblance between Cardi and Kulture sparked a wave of memes, reaction videos, and fan art across social media. On TikTok, users created montages syncing the childhood photos with Cardi’s hit songs like “Bodak Yellow” and “I Like It,” emphasizing the continuity of her larger-than-life persona. One viral meme featured a photo of young Cardi next to Kulture with the caption, “When your mom’s a legend and you inherit the whole blueprint.” Another X post humorously suggested, “Kulture’s gonna be running the charts by 15, watch.” The lighthearted comparisons highlighted the joy fans found in seeing Cardi’s legacy reflected in her daughter.

Beyond the physical resemblance, fans also noted similarities in their personalities. Cardi has often described Kulture as “cool, sweet, and gentle” but with a hint of her mother’s fiery attitude. In a December 2024 Instagram Story, Cardi gushed over Kulture posing by a fireplace, calling her “so cool”. The childhood photos reinforced this, showing a young Cardi with the same confident swagger Kulture displays in videos, like one from 2021 where she posed in front of Christmas trees, prompting Cardi to tweet, “So much like me”. Fans on X commented, “Kulture’s got that Bardi confidence already. She’s gonna be unstoppable,” and “Cardi was born a star, and Kulture’s proof it’s in the DNA.”

The viral moment also sparked discussions about Cardi’s journey from her Bronx upbringing to global stardom. Fans reflected on how her childhood experiences—growing up in a tight-knit, multicultural family—shaped her into the unapologetic artist she is today. One X user wrote, “These photos show where Cardi got her hustle. She was always destined for greatness.” Another commented, “Kulture’s got that same spark. You can tell she’s gonna carry the Bardi legacy.”

Cardi’s Bond with Kulture

Cardi’s relationship with Kulture has always been a focal point of her public persona. From matching pink outfits and $35,000 Hermès Birkin bags in 2020 to twinning in brown coats for Thanksgiving 2024, the mother-daughter duo has consistently captured fans’ hearts. Cardi has been open about how motherhood has changed her, telling Vogue in 2019 that Kulture inspires her to work harder and secure a future for her children. During a 2023 Instagram Live, she shared that Kulture’s love for music and dance—evident in moments like her “best dance moves” award at pre-kindergarten graduation—reminds her of her own childhood passion for performing.

The childhood photos added a new layer to this narrative, showing that Kulture’s resemblance to Cardi goes beyond looks. In one photo, young Cardi is seen dancing at a family party, much like Kulture’s viral dance to “Baby Shark” in 2019, which Cardi captioned, “It’s crazy how God not only gives you a kid that looks like you but with the same energy and personality”. Fans on X celebrated this connection, with one writing, “Cardi and Kulture are soul twins. It’s not just the face, it’s the vibe.” Another tweeted, “Kulture’s gonna be out here breaking the internet like her mom.”

A Cultural Legacy

The photos also highlighted Cardi’s commitment to passing down her Dominican and Trinidadian heritage. In a recent Instagram Live, she taught Kulture how to make a simplified “Marry Me Pasta” with Caribbean-inspired flavors, a nod to the dishes her mother made in the Bronx. The childhood images, showing Cardi surrounded by family and traditional foods, resonated with fans who appreciated her efforts to keep her culture alive. “Cardi’s teaching Kulture the same love for her roots that her mom gave her,” one fan commented on X. Another wrote, “Seeing little Cardi with her family and now Kulture looking just like her? That’s generational love.”

Amid her ongoing divorce from Offset, filed in July 2024, Cardi has leaned into her role as a mother, balancing her career with parenting duties. The photos served as a reminder of her resilience, with fans praising her for staying grounded despite fame. “Cardi’s been through it all, but she’s raising Kulture to be just as strong,” one X user wrote. Another commented, “Those childhood pics show where Cardi got her fight. Kulture’s got that same fire.”

A Viral Moment of Love and Legacy

The leaked childhood photos of Cardi B didn’t just spark a viral moment—they offered a heartwarming glimpse into her journey from a spirited Bronx kid to a global superstar. The uncanny resemblance to Kulture, both in appearance and energy, left fans in awe, celebrating the power of genetics and the bond between mother and daughter. As Cardi prepares for the release of her sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, on September 19, 2025, and navigates her personal life with NFL star Stefon Diggs, she continues to captivate the world with her authenticity.

Social media remains abuzz with comparisons, memes, and admiration for Cardi and Kulture’s twin-like connection. “Kulture is Cardi’s mini-me in every way,” one fan tweeted. “From the face to the attitude, she’s carrying the crown.” As the internet continues to marvel at this heartwarming discovery, one thing is clear: Cardi B’s legacy, both in music and motherhood, is already shining bright in her daughter Kulture.