Offset Says Cardi B Inspired Him to Stop Years-Long Codeine Habit: We ‘Make Each Other Better’

“She always got my back, right or wrong,” the Migos rapper told ‘Variety’ of his wife, with whom he shares two kids

 

Offset and Cardi B attend the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.

Offset and Cardi B. PHOTO: KEVIN MAZUR/VF23/WIREIMAGE FOR VANITY FAIR

Love has replaced one of Offset’s vices.

In a new interview with Variety, the Migos rapper revealed that his marriage to Cardi B — with whom he shares daughter Kulture, 4½, and son Wave, 20 months — helped him stop taking codeine recreationally after years of doing so.

“I put down lean,” Offset, 31, told the outlet, referencing the popular drink that often mixes codeine with promethazine, soda, cough syrup and candy. “I was drinking my whole career. It opened my mind up, but I never thought it helped me create. I feel like getting past that, cleaning up and putting that message out.”

He described Cardi, 30, as his “bestie” and spoke highly about their relationship. “She always got my back, right or wrong. We both are on the same mission to make each other better,” said the musician.

Offset. MASON POOLE

Cardi B Explains Why She Called Off Divorce to Work on Marriage with Offset: ‘He Wanted to Change’

“Social is her strong point, so I listen to her social advice. And me, it’s the music, but I play behind the scenes; it’s my wife so I want to make sure she win,” added Offset, who’s also father to sons Jordan, 13, and Kody, 8, and daughter Kalea, 8, from previous relationships.

 

“We are a great team,” raved the “Clout” performer. “We’re a powerhouse at this point — icon status. We believe in God. We believe in family. We’re always going to keep winning.”

His Grammy-winning wife also spoke to Variety for the interview, opening up about her favorite of Offset’s qualities. “What I appreciate about my husband is that no matter what issue I am having personally or professionally, I know he will take care of me and our family. It’s handled. I know that I have a man who has my back for real,” she said about the “Bad and Boujee” star, who’s currently gearing up to release his second solo album.

“I fully support him in this next chapter of his music career,” Cardi told the outlet.

Offset. MASON POOLE
Cardi B Enjoys Surprises from Offset, Dinner with Kids on Mother’s Day: ‘I Birth My Best Friends’
The pair got married in September 2017 and welcomed Kulture in July 2018. Over the following year, they faced hardships — breaking up and reuniting amid rumors of Offset’s infidelity before Cardi filed for divorce in September 2020, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

In November 2020, the divorce case was “dismissed without prejudice,” and the pair got back together once again. Offset and Cardi welcomed Wave on Sept. 4, 2021.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Offset. MASON POOLE
Appearing on The Jason Lee Show earlier this year, the “Up” rapper recalled the difficult time in her relationship with Offset and spoke about how they got through it.

“Me and Offset, we was not seeing eye-to-eye. This was like, the same year I filed for divorce and everything,” Cardi told host Jason Lee at the time.

She ensured the host that Offset altered his behavior. “The main thing that I wanted him to stop and everything, he stopped and he changed, and it showed me that he wanted to change for me,” she said.

‘You Really Been Doin’ Me Dirty’: Cardi B Breaks Down In Tears During Explosive Profanity-Laced Rant Directed at Estranged Husband Offset

 

After declaring this week that she is a single woman, Cardi B added more fuel to her separation drama as she went ballistic on Offset during a cross-platform social media rant recently.

On Dec. 15, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper took to X to issue a warning to her estranged husband a day after his 32nd birthday. “[Offset] you a b—h a-s nikka and trust me imma f—kin’ take it there,” she wrote in a since-deleted tweet, adding, “Mutukas will try you when you at ya lowest and your most vulnerable time.. you out here feeling yourself but trust me the tables turn.”

Cardi B (left) calls out Offset (right) on her social media. (Photos: @iamcardib/Instagram, @offsetyrn/Instagram)

The “Be Careful” rapper then took her rant to Instagram Live where she continued the conversation.

“You will f—kin’ talk to a n—a, and a mothaf—ka will play in yo’ f—kin face. In yo’ f—kin face, over and over,” said Cardi.

Though she didn’t say Offset’s name, she told fans, “this motherf—ker really like to play games with me when I’m at my most vulnerable time, when I’m not the most confident.”

Cardi went on to insinuate that Offset did something to purposely trigger her the night before while she was home in her depressive state.

“I really been sparing you. I really been sparing you,” the rapper said as she started to grow more and more emotional. “You been f—kin’ feeling yourself, you b—h a-s n—a, because of your b—h a-s album and s—t. And you really been f—kin’ doin’ me dirty after so many f—kin’ years that I motherf—kin’ helped your a-s!”

Cardi B goes off on Offset on Instagram live pic.twitter.com/GJVjiyzCzC

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) December 15, 2023

“Not even a f—n thank you that I got from your b—h a-s,” the rapper screamed through tears.

The viral clip of Cardi’s tirade ends with the rapper saying that she had to take the situation to the internet because her husband doesn’t take it seriously when she speaks to him in person.

The estranged couple met each other in 2017 and wed the same year. Since then, Cardi and Offset have had a very public yet tumultuous relationship filled with highs and lows. It has been well-documented that almost annually since they got together, Offset has been accused of cheating on his wife.

In 2020, Cardi filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences,” but it was later dropped after Offset won her back. Some fans believe this may be another one of those situations, as the former Migos member has a history of pulling off public gestures to get back in Cardi’s good graces. One fan said, “She needa play this over and over again till she really done cuz chiiiii I just see her going RIGHT BACK to him.”

Others hope that the six-year relationship might actually be over as one person said, “Heard the pain in her voice, we give men so many tries and they will use and take everything. It’s time to leave, girl, can’t let anyone take you there.” Some just felt bad for Cardi, saying, “She sounds so broken.”

She sounds so broken https://t.co/cGKwche2N3

— Lady B. 🇲🇲 (@KBUdeogu) December 15, 2023

Not everyone was as sympathetic to Cardi’s situation. Her archrival Nicki Minaj seemingly jumped in to kick the rapper while she was down by posting a 2004 paparazzi picture of Michael Jackson leaning out of a van. Fans took this as a shot at Cardi because of Offset’s affinity for Jackson, as seen in his “Fan” video, “Set It Off” album cover, and recent appearances on stage and red carpets.

Cardi seemingly shot back at Minaj on X, saying, “Take your man to a park and leave me the f—k alone!”

She issued a final warning, reminding agitators that today was not the day to play with her, “I’m really 100… today is not the day,” she posted.