Cardi B visits Looney Tunes Record Store in West Babylon to promote new album, meet fans

Cardi B brought "the drama" Friday to West Babylon.

The hip-hop platinum recording artist arrived at Looney Tunes Record Store late Friday to meet 1,000 fans and promote her new record, "Am I the Drama?" 

Fans, some of whom waited in line about seven hours, had gathered outside the record store for a chance to meet the star and pose for professional photos after buying the album, which was released Friday.

As she entered the record store, she told fans, "I want everyone to have a good picture."

Cardi B arrived about three hours late for her scheduled sold-out appearance, exiting a black SUV. Fans had awaited her arrival after she posted on Instagram that she was on her way.

“I don't understand why Long Island is so far … but Long Island is cute though,” she said.

The star wore a form-fitting dress to show off her baby bump. She announced earlier this week that she is pregnant with her fourth child, the first with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

Fans came from across Long Island and as far away as Boston and New Jersey to meet her.

Kaitlyn Rivera, 30, of North Babylon, described Cardi B as "authentically herself."

"I wanted to be part of the drama," she said outside the store. "It's honestly really cool because we don't get a lot of big artists coming out here, so it's nice to have this spot to provide that for us."

Big stars on Long Island

Cardi B is the latest big star to make an appearance at the record store, which previously attracted artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Joe Jonas, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco.

It was her second visit to the store, having made a stop there two years ago with her ex-husband and rapper, Offset.

Looney Tunes owner Karl Groeger said his father started the store in 1971 and he took over the family business with his brother.

He said they "try to take care" of their customers. "Just being friendly to everybody and have a cool place to come talk about music," Groeger said.

The store allowed fans to preorder Cardi B's new album, and 1,000 fans were able to register for wrist bands to meet her and pose for a photo.

Fans said the star greeted them with hugs and posed for photos inside.

Jillian Douce, 30, of Hempstead, said she would always remember meeting one of her favorite artists.

"She's just super sweet and down to earth. It felt like I was talking with one of my friends," Douce said.

While fans were waiting, store security and staff handed out water and mini umbrellas to shield them from the late summer sun.

 Outside the record store, fans blasted Cardi B's hit songs on a boombox stereo, including "I like it," "Bodak Yellow" and "WAP."

Kelvin Velazquez, 40, of Lindenhurst, was one of the first waiting in line at about 9 a.m. Friday. He said he identified with the artist's Bronx roots.

"You know it's the place to be right now," Velazquez said of Looney Tunes. "If you're on Long Island and Suffolk County and not here, then where are you?"