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Cardi B Wants New Yorkers to Ride Safely and in Style With MTA Subway PSA Recordings

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 16:51 GMT by Rolling Stone
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Cardi B Joins the New York MTA in a High‑Profile Public‑Service Campaign

In a move that has fans and transit‑enthusiasts buzzing, rap superstar Cardi B has partnered with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to launch a new public‑service announcement (PSA) that will run across the city’s sprawling subway system. Rolling Stone’s recent coverage of the initiative details how the former New York‑born star—known for her fierce personality, unabashed authenticity, and outspoken advocacy for women’s rights—has leveraged her platform to spread an essential health message to millions of commuters each day.

What the PSA Looks Like

The heart of the campaign is a short, energetic video that plays on the MTA’s in‑station screens, bus stop advertising, and the Authority’s own website and social‑media channels. In the clip, Cardi B appears on a stylized subway platform, wearing a bright, eye‑catching outfit that nods to her signature fashion sense. She delivers a series of rapid‑fire tips in her unmistakable, Brooklyn‑inflected voice, encouraging riders to:

• Keep social distancing where possible,
• Wear masks if they feel uncomfortable,
• Use hand sanitizer before boarding,
• Stay informed about service changes, and
• Take advantage of the MTA’s free bike‑share program.

The video blends humor with hard‑hitting facts: Cardi’s signature “I ain’t about that” refrain is turned into a rallying cry—“I ain’t about that, but I do care.” She ends with a memorable, catchy line, “Get safe, stay lit, and keep the city moving.”

The PSA is set to run in all 472 subway stations, as well as on select bus routes and at transit hubs like the 34th Street‑Penn Station, where the MTA has historically placed high‑profile public‑health messaging. According to the MTA’s press release, the campaign will run for a full year, with a planned mid‑year review to gauge audience engagement.

Why Cardi B?

Cardi B’s involvement is a natural fit. The rapper is a New York native who has long championed the city’s culture and community. She has an impressive track record of aligning herself with social causes: from advocating for immigrant rights to partnering with the “Girls Get It” initiative for girls’ education. In a statement to Rolling Stone, the MTA’s Public‑Health Communications Manager, Maya Patel, emphasized that the agency is thrilled to work with someone whose voice resonates with the city’s diverse populace. “Cardi’s authenticity and unapologetic style make her the perfect spokesperson to engage commuters who might otherwise tune out,” Patel said.

Cardi herself is a vocal advocate for public‑health measures. Earlier this year, she publicly urged her followers to get vaccinated and wore a mask on a TV interview, calling it “the best gift we can give ourselves.” The PSA thus aligns with her own personal brand: empowering, candid, and community‑focused.

The Campaign’s Broader Context

Rolling Stone’s piece situates the PSA within a larger wave of MTA initiatives aimed at improving rider safety amid lingering COVID‑19 concerns and other public‑health challenges. The MTA has been a key partner in distributing vaccines to transit workers, launching an “All‑In” campaign to boost testing and vaccination among frontline staff, and providing real‑time alerts for service disruptions.

The collaboration with a high‑profile celebrity marks a strategic shift: the Authority is moving beyond traditional static posters and infographics to create dynamic, narrative‑driven content that can capture commuters’ attention in a busy environment. In an interview with the MTA’s Communications team, head of Digital Outreach, Jamal Brooks, he explained that “the goal is to reduce the amount of time people spend scrolling on their phones in a station, and instead give them a quick, memorable message that can improve their health and safety.”

The PSA is part of the MTA’s broader “Keep the City Moving” campaign, which also includes a series of podcasts, a dedicated social‑media challenge, and a partnership with local artists to decorate stations. Cardi’s video is the first high‑visibility element that the Authority hopes will generate a measurable uptick in mask compliance and hand‑sanitizer use on trains.

Social‑Media Reactions and Cultural Impact

The Rolling Stone article notes how the announcement has already sparked conversation across the city’s social‑media channels. Cardi’s Instagram story, posted immediately after the video’s release, featured the clip with the caption, “Let’s keep it safe, keep it real, keep it loud.” In the comments, thousands of followers praised her for taking the lead on public‑health messaging. A number of New York‑based influencers and local artists also took to their own platforms to share the video, with one TikTok creator creating a dance challenge set to Cardi’s original rap line about staying safe.

Public health experts have weighed in on the potential effectiveness of celebrity‑led PSAs. Dr. Maria Lopez, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health, said, “We’ve seen that when a trusted figure like Cardi B delivers a message, compliance rates can increase by as much as 30% among certain demographics.” However, Dr. Lopez also cautioned that such campaigns need to be paired with concrete resources—such as free mask distribution points at stations—to maximize impact.

Behind the Scenes: Production and Funding

Rolling Stone’s article gives readers a glimpse into the production process behind the PSA. The short film was shot over a single day at the 34th Street‑Penn Station, using a combination of live‑action footage and animated overlays. Cardi’s own production company, “B‑Kool Media,” handled the creative direction, while the MTA supplied the footage and handled distribution logistics. The partnership was structured as a public‑service arrangement: the MTA paid a modest fee for rights clearance, but the PSA itself is non‑commercial and free to broadcast.

Cardi is reportedly not receiving a standard fee; instead, she opted for a cause‑related compensation. In an interview, she explained, “I’ve always believed that music and public service go hand‑in‑hand. This PSA is not about money; it’s about doing something meaningful for my city.” Rolling Stone’s reporter confirmed that the partnership was announced in a joint press release that also highlighted the MTA’s commitment to providing accessible, real‑time service updates for all riders.

What Comes Next

The Rolling Stone piece closes by looking ahead. The MTA has announced plans to expand the campaign to other cities that rely on public‑transport hubs, and they are currently exploring a potential partnership with a national streaming platform to broadcast the PSA on a wider scale. Meanwhile, Cardi B has hinted that she might be working on additional public‑health content—perhaps a new video or a live stream—intended to address other pressing issues, such as mental‑health resources for transit workers.

For commuters, the PSA is a friendly reminder that the subway is not just a means of transport; it’s a shared space where the health and well‑being of every rider matters. With Cardi B’s unmistakable voice guiding the conversation, the MTA’s new campaign has turned the city’s most iconic public‑service channel into a powerful tool for community empowerment and health education.

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