Carlos Alman is best known as the father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, but his story began long before his daughter became famous. Known in established news coverage as Carlos Almánzar, he moved from the Dominican Republic to the United States and worked as a New York City cab driver. His family’s life was rooted in the Bronx and Washington Heights, two neighborhoods that helped shape Cardi B’s identity. Although Carlos has never pursued a career in entertainment, his daughter has spoken warmly about his humor, his work, and the everyday traditions he passed on to her.
Carlos Alman: Quick Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name used in reporting | Carlos Almánzar (also written Almanzar) |
| Name identified by Cardi B | Carlos Julio Almanzar |
| Birthplace | Dominican Republic |
| Known occupation | Former New York City cab driver |
| Famous for | Being Cardi B’s father |
| Former partner | Clara Almánzar |
| Children with Clara | Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina |
| Associated locations | The Bronx and Washington Heights, New York |
Who Is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alman is the name frequently used for Carlos Almánzar, the Dominican father of American rapper Cardi B. His daughter’s birth name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, and established coverage of her family uses the longer surname rather than “Alman.”
There is another important detail behind his name. In a 2020 social media response, Cardi B identified her father as Carlos Julio Almanzar. The accent in Almánzar is sometimes omitted in English-language publications. However, “Carlos Alman” should not automatically be treated as his full legal name simply because it appears in celebrity biographies.
Unlike his famous daughter, Carlos has not built a public career in music or television. His background centers on immigration, working life in New York City, and raising a family.
Early Life and Dominican Background
Carlos Almánzar comes from the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean country known for its Spanish-speaking culture, music, and strong family traditions.
Cardi B has said her father immigrated to the United States in 1990. He subsequently established a life in New York City, where he worked and raised his family.
His Dominican heritage became an important part of his daughter’s cultural identity. Cardi B grew up connected to both her father’s Dominican background and her mother’s Trinidadian roots.
Although she was born in the United States, her childhood included Caribbean food, extended family gatherings, and the cultural traditions that shaped her home life.
Carlos Alman’s Career as a Taxi Driver
Before Cardi B became an internationally recognized entertainer, Carlos worked as a cab driver in New York City.
Cardi B has said her father spent nine years working in the taxi industry before retiring around the period when her music career began gaining momentum.
Driving a taxi in New York involves navigating heavy traffic, working unpredictable hours, and dealing with demanding customers. The profession has provided employment opportunities for generations of immigrants establishing themselves in the city.
An interesting detail about Carlos’s working life appeared in a 2016 interview with The FADER. Cardi B was considering helping her father buy a bodega because he wanted to leave taxi driving.
At that stage of her career, she was concerned about improving her parents’ financial circumstances. She wanted them to enjoy greater comfort as her own opportunities expanded.
The proposed business was a plan under consideration rather than a confirmed purchase.
His Continued Support for Cab Drivers
Carlos’s connection to the taxi industry extended beyond his years of employment.
In 2019, Cardi B shared a video discussing difficult working conditions faced by New York cab drivers. She said her father continued advocating for taxi drivers and encouraged people to treat them respectfully.
Her comments suggested that Carlos remained concerned about the profession even after stepping away from driving.
Carlos Alman’s Family: Clara Almánzar and Their Children
Carlos shared a family life with Clara Almánzar, Cardi B’s mother, who comes from Trinidad.
Together, they welcomed two daughters.
Their older daughter, Cardi B, was born on October 11, 1992, in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Their younger daughter, Hennessy Carolina, was born on December 22, 1995.
Cardi B became a successful rapper and television personality, while Hennessy developed a public profile through fashion, social media, and television appearances.
Carlos and Clara’s Separation
Carlos and Clara eventually separated when Cardi B was approximately 13 years old.
Cardi discussed her parents’ separation in 2022, explaining that she initially experienced it as an opportunity for greater independence because both parents were no longer supervising her together.
Despite their divorce, both parents remained part of their daughters’ lives.
Cardi has continued expressing gratitude for the support she receives from her mother and father, particularly after becoming a parent herself.
How Carlos Alman Influenced Cardi B’s Childhood
Cardi B spent much of her childhood in the South Bronx while also visiting her paternal grandmother in Washington Heights.
These two New York neighborhoods shaped her upbringing and helped connect her to the city’s Dominican and wider Caribbean communities.
Carlos contributed to that upbringing through family traditions, food, and humor.
Their Shared Sense of Humor
In a Father’s Day message in 2018, Cardi B described herself and her father as “personality twins.”
She explained that they shared a similar sense of humor and enjoyed making jokes.
Their playful relationship is one of the personal details Cardi has discussed when speaking affectionately about him.
His Influence on Her Love of Dominican Food
Carlos also introduced his daughter to foods she continued enjoying as an adult.
Cardi has described learning to eat tomatoes sprinkled with salt from her father.
She has also credited him with introducing her to mondongo, a traditional stew made with tripe and vegetables that is enjoyed in the Dominican Republic and other Latin American countries.
These childhood food memories reveal how Carlos passed elements of his Dominican upbringing to his daughter through everyday family experiences.
Carlos Alman’s Relationship With Cardi B as an Adult
Cardi B has publicly expressed appreciation for her father on several occasions.
After welcoming her daughter Kulture in 2018, she thanked her parents for supporting her during the early days of motherhood.
She explained that her mother had stayed close by while her father helped by running errands in New York.
The practical assistance mattered to Cardi as she adjusted to motherhood while maintaining her entertainment career.
Their relationship has also been visible at public celebrations.
Carlos attended a New York City event celebrating Cardi B’s music in April 2018, where photographs captured them together.
Their Public Appearance in September 2025
On September 13, 2025, Carlos appeared alongside Cardi B at a bodega pop-up event in Washington Heights, New York City.
Reuters photographer Adam Gray photographed the rapper arriving with her father.
The event offered a documented glimpse of their relationship years after Cardi B became internationally famous.
It also took place in Washington Heights, the neighborhood where Cardi was born and spent time with her father’s side of the family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carlos Alman
1. Is Carlos Alman Cardi B’s father?
Yes. Carlos Almánzar is the father of American rapper Cardi B, whose birth name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar.
2. What is Carlos Alman’s real name?
Cardi B identified her father as Carlos Julio Almanzar in a 2020 statement. Major publications generally identify him as Carlos Almánzar or Carlos Almanzar.
3. Where is Carlos Alman from?
Carlos comes from the Dominican Republic. His daughter has said he immigrated to the United States in 1990 and established his working life in New York City.
4. What did Carlos Alman do for a living?
Carlos worked as a New York City cab driver. Cardi B has said he drove a taxi for nine years before eventually retiring from the profession.
5. Who is Cardi B’s mother?
Cardi B’s mother is Clara Almánzar, who comes from Trinidad. She and Carlos raised their daughters together before separating during Cardi’s teenage years.
6. How many children did Carlos Alman have with Clara?
Carlos and Clara have two daughters together: Cardi B, born in 1992, and Hennessy Carolina, born in 1995.
Conclusion
Carlos Alman, more accurately identified as Carlos Almánzar, is an important figure in Cardi B’s family background. His journey from the Dominican Republic to New York City, his years working as a taxi driver, and his involvement in raising his daughters form the central parts of his story.
While Cardi B built a successful international entertainment career, her father remained connected to the family traditions and everyday experiences that shaped her childhood. Their relationship reflects the lasting influence of family, culture, and parental support.
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