Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Instagram or caught a glimpse of a red carpet in the last few years, you’ve probably seen it. We’re talking about that massive, colorful mural that wraps around Cardi B’s hip and curves right over her backside. It’s hard to miss. Honestly, it’s one of the most famous pieces of ink in the world right now.
But there’s a lot of noise out there. People get things mixed up. Is it a peacock? Is it a butterfly? Did it take one day or a whole month? I’ve tracked the history of this ink from its humble beginnings in 2010 to the massive 2020 overhaul that made it a viral sensation.
The cardi b butt tattoo isn’t just one thing. It’s actually a collection of pieces that have evolved over more than a decade. If you’re curious about the artist behind it, how much pain she actually went through, or what’s up with those new 2025 updates, you’re in the right place.
Why the Cardi B Butt Tattoo Still Matters
Most people think celebrities just walk into a shop, sit for an hour, and walk out with a masterpiece. That’s not how Cardi does it. She’s famously open about the "hours of pain" she’s endured to get her body looking exactly how she wants.
The centerpiece is that legendary peacock.
She originally got it way back in 2010. Back then, it was a much simpler design on her right hip and thigh. Fast forward ten years to 2020, and she decided it needed a "makeover." This wasn’t just a quick touch-up. She hired Jamie Schene, a Los Angeles-based artist known for insane detail and vibrant colors.
They spent seven straight days together. Can you imagine that? Seven days in a row under the needle. Schene actually praised her "strength and determination" because, let’s face it, most people would have tapped out after day two.
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What’s actually in the design?
It’s a lot. If you look closely at the high-res shots from her Am I the Problem? album promo (the one where she's rocking those $1,500 boots), you’ll see:
- The Peacock: Revamped with way brighter blues, purples, and greens.
- The Butterfly: A whimsical pink butterfly perched right on her booty.
- The Flowers: A mix of sunflowers, roses, and lotus blooms that tie everything together.
- The Hummingbird: A small but intricate detail tucked into the floral arrangement.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Meaning
People love to over-analyze celebrity tattoos. "Oh, the peacock represents her vanity!" or "The butterfly means she's finally free!"
Kinda. But also, maybe not.
Cardi herself hasn't given some deep, philosophical lecture on the meaning. She’s mentioned that she "really likes the pain" in her lyrics, but artistically, the peacock is often seen as a symbol of integrity and beauty. In her case, it seems more like a celebration of her personality—loud, colorful, and impossible to ignore.
The butterfly and floral additions that run from her back down to her thigh were finished around May 2020. This part of the tattoo is massive. It literally weaves over her "money-making cheeks," as some outlets put it, and bridges the gap between her back and her legs. It makes the whole side of her body look like a living garden.
The Pain Factor: It’s Not Just the Ink
Here is where it gets interesting.
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In late 2024 and early 2025, Cardi started talking about more than just tattoos. She’s been very transparent about her cosmetic journey, including BBL reductions and the complications that come with them.
Why does this matter for the tattoo? Well, it affects the canvas.
On a 2025 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, she dropped a bombshell about her "valley piercing"—a diamond piercing right in her butt crack. She spent $13,000 on it. The kicker? She lost the diamond down the toilet about a month later.
But the reason she could handle that piercing (and the tattoos in that area) is because she’s partially numb. She explained to Alex Cooper that because of her prior surgeries, the skin at the top of her "ass" is numb. "I ain't feel s---," she said.
However, don't think she's immune to the needle. She’s gone on record saying the hip and stomach areas "literally take your breath away." It’s a mix of numbness in some spots and excruciating sensitivity in others.
Breaking Down the Cost and Time
If you're thinking about getting something similar, bring a fat wallet and a lot of snacks.
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- Time: The 2020 revamp alone took 60+ hours over seven days.
- Price: While she hasn't named the exact price for the tattoo, artists of Jamie Schene's caliber charge thousands. When you factor in a week of exclusive booking, you're looking at a five-figure investment.
- Maintenance: She waited 10 years to refresh the peacock. Tattoos on the hip and butt can stretch or fade depending on weight fluctuations and sun exposure (though, hopefully, you're wearing sunscreen back there).
Real Talk on the "Discover" Worthy Updates
As of 2026, the cardi b butt tattoo is still evolving. She recently added name tattoos for her kids, Wave and Kulture, though those are on her face and arm. But her body art is a cohesive story.
She’s shown that tattoos aren't just something you get when you’re 18 and regret later. They can grow with you. She took a faded 2010 tattoo and turned it into a 2020s masterpiece. It's about ownership of her body, especially after all the public scrutiny regarding her surgeries.
Practical Lessons from Cardi’s Ink
- Don't rush the "big one": Cardi waited a decade to finish her vision.
- Find your "Jamie Schene": Don't go to a budget shop for a piece that covers 30% of your body.
- Expect the "leak": She famously shared how her early illegal injections (from a basement in Queens for $800—yikes!) leaked for five days. Her professional tattoos were a totally different, safer experience.
- Skin changes: If you’ve had surgery, your pain threshold will be weird. Some spots will be dead, others will feel like fire.
If you’re planning on getting a large-scale piece like this, start by researching "bio-organic" or "large scale floral" artists in your area. Look at their healed work, not just the fresh "filtered" photos on Instagram. You want colors that stay vibrant for ten years, not two.
You should also consider the placement carefully. Hip and glute tattoos are high-movement areas. If you plan on significant fitness changes or surgeries, wait until your body is in a stable place before committing to a mural that relies on specific anatomy to look "right."
Next Steps for Body Art Enthusiasts:
If you love the aesthetic but aren't ready for a week of pain, look into "temporary tattoo sleeves" that use semi-permanent ink (like Jagua) to test the placement on your hip. It lasts about two weeks and lets you see how the design moves with your body before you drop $10k on a permanent peacock.