The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) teamed up with
Cardi B to record public service announcements (PSAs) for the New York City subway system in September 2025.
The Bronx-born rapper’s announcements cover general subway etiquette and directly warn against the dangerous trend of “subway surfing.” Subway surfing is the dangerous act of riding on the outside of a moving subway or train, including on the roof or exterior. It can be done to avoid paying a fare, due to overcrowding, or as a thrill-seeking activity. The practice is extremely perilous and can lead to severe injury or death from falling, electric shock or colliding with objects. Key messages from Cardi B’s PSAs include:
- Warning against subway surfing: To address the fatal practice of riding on the outside of train cars, Cardi B recorded the line, “Stop subway surfing. Ride safe, keep it cute, and keep it moving.”
- Rider etiquette: Other messages address common issues like blocking passageways, with lines such as, “Steps are for stepping, not sitting. Move it, bucko!”
- Encouraging fare payment: She also urges riders to pay their fares by saying, “These trains don’t move without you, so make sure you pay that fare and keep it real.”
The MTA released a video of Cardi B in the recording studio to announce the collaboration. The PSAs were launched around the same time as her album, Am I the Drama?, was released.