

On the other end are the many barely-remembered names who could never replicate the success of their one big song, who never were able to succeed their own "Bodak Yellow" with an "I Like It" or a "Girls Like You."Įnter Ella Mai, the 23-year-old British singer with a debut self-titled album out Friday, who landed a song of the summer this year with her surprise hit "Boo'd Up." She's following Cardi's template for success quite literally, signing on to Bruno Mars' arena tour after Cardi dropped out. On one end of the spectrum is Cardi B, who's having what may be the best possible year for an artist whose breakthrough single, "Bodak Yellow," arrived just last summer.

That's the essential question for performers with breakout hits who go mainstream on the strength of a single track.
