Cardi B was honored as Billboard’s “Woman of the Year” at their annual “Women in Music” event, which had far more to do with her outspoken political activism amid the election, pandemic and Black Lives Matter movements than it did her chart-topping success.

Making the honor particularly special was the woman who presented her award to her, Breonna Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer.

“One of Breonna’s most outspoken advocates over the past nine months has been Cardi B,” said Palmer in a pre-recorded statement. “From the beginning, Cardi has used her platform to spread the truth about what happened to Breonna and to reaffirm that Black women’s lives matter.”

“Cardi B’s impact reaches far beyond music,” she continued. “That why I am so proud and honored to present Billboard’s Woman of the Year award to Miss Cardi B.”

Breonna Taylor is just one of many Black victims of police shootings and violence whose names were lifted up and said emphatically as part of the rallying cry of the Black Lives Matter protests.

During her acceptance speech, Cardi touched on another aspect of her outspoken personality that certainly struck a chord (of outrage) with a certain segment of the public … her artistry. In particular, her song “WAP,” with Megan Thee Stallion.

“Not only was it an amazing song that broke so many records, but it was a conversation that I never thought was going to be so big,” Cardi said. “”I mean, it pissed off a whole bunch of Republicans for no reason, you know what I’m saying? It was just weird.”

As for her successes, Cardi said that it’s within all women to achieve their own dreams, no matter what they may be.

“You actually gotta put in the work,” she said. “You gotta be ambitious. You gotta network. You gotta become great at what you do. You gotta be able to take criticism.”

The bottom line? “There’s hope. There’s hope for your dreams.”