by Cardi B’s 2020 single “WAP” featuring Megan Thee Stallion took the world by storm upon its release. The sexually explicit lyrics and music video sparked both praise and controversy. However, there’s more to the story behind this chart-topping smash hit than most people realize. Let’s take a deeper look at the untold details surrounding the creation and impact of “WAP.”
The Inspiration
Cardi B has always been unapologetically confident in her sexuality. In interviews, she’s discussed how growing up in a very religious household made her initially ashamed of her sexuality. But as an adult in the entertainment industry, she gained confidence in embracing her femininity and desires.
This newfound confidence served as the inspiration for “WAP.” Cardi wanted to create an empowering anthem for women to proudly express and celebrate their sexuality without shame or restraint. She felt there wasn’t enough mainstream music that allowed women to fully own their desires in this way.
The initial idea came to Cardi in 2019 while in the studio working on her album. She started writing lyrics centered around female sexuality and confidence. But she didn’t have the complete vision or sound yet. It would be some time before “WAP” truly came together.
Early Collaborations
Cardi began collaborating with producer DJ Swan on early versions of the song in 2019. But they didn’t feel the song was fully realized. She kept tweaking lyrics and the production.
Around this same time, she linked up with producer DJ JWhiteDidIt to work on music. During one session, Cardi played him what she had so far of “WAP.” JWhite was immediately impressed and felt it had hit potential. He suggested bringing in producer Ayo for his musical expertise and skills at creating trendsetting beats.
Ayo came onboard and helped flesh out and refine the instrumental. His production took the song’s sound to the next level. But Cardi still felt something was missing lyrically. She wanted a featured female rapper to complement her own verses.
Enter Megan Thee Stallion
In early 2020, Cardi’s A&R Rep suggested she reach out to rising star Megan Thee Stallion to potentially feature on “WAP.” Cardi was a fan of Megan’s work and thought she’d be the perfect collaborator.
Megan agreed to meet at the studio to hear what Cardi had so far. Upon listening, she knew instantly she wanted to be part of the song. Megan worked with Cardi to develop her own fiery verse showing off her own sexual prowess and confidence to match Cardi’s energy.
With Megan’s addition, Cardi felt “WAP” had finally come together into the empowering anthem of female sexuality and strength she’d envisioned. The collaborative effort between these two powerhouse artists resulted in one of the biggest songs of the year.
Controversy and Success
When “WAP” was released in August 2020, it caused an immediate stir for its unapologetically racy lyrics. Some radio stations banned playing the song, claiming it was too explicit. Conservative media personalities criticized the song, saying it promoted promiscuity.
But the controversy only served to increase interest and hype around “WAP.” Within a week of release, it had broken the single-day global Spotify record with over 7 million streams in 24 hours.
The music video, featuring Cardi and Megan in lavish, empowering scenes, further amplified the song’s popularity. To date, it’s amassed over 370 million views on YouTube.
“WAP” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart – a first for female rap collaborations. It remained in the top 10 spots for multiple weeks. The song was a smash success globally as well, topping charts internationally.
Cardi and Megan’s unapologetic celebration of sexuality through “WAP” resonated hugely with listeners. It became an anthem of confidence and a cultural touchpoint. The controversy only served to further the song’s impact and cement its place in music history.
A New Wave of Female Empowerment
The massive success of “WAP” opened the floodgates for new music celebrating unabashed female sexuality and empowerment. It paved the way for artists like Saweetie, Doja Cat, and Normani to have hits with similarly empowering themes.
The song’s cultural reset showed major labels and radio there was a huge appetite for this type of music from and about women. It helped normalize the discussion of sexuality in mainstream pop culture from a female gaze and experience.
Artists who followed cited “WAP” as inspiration for being unapologetically confident in discussing pleasure and ownership of their sexuality through their art. The song’s influence can still be felt in current hits years later that continue pushing creative boundaries.
Cardi’s Legacy and Beyond
For Cardi B herself, “WAP” cemented her status as not just a hitmaker but a trendsetter and tastemaker. The song took her career to new heights of fame and success. It won her a Grammy for Best Rap Performance and has been certified diamond by the RIAA.
In the years since, Cardi has continued putting out empowering anthems and keeping it real about the female experience. She remains one of the most influential artists in pop culture due to her unfiltered approach.
Megan Thee Stallion’s career also skyrocketed following “WAP,” scoring her own #1 hits. The collaborative energy between the two powerhouses on the song sparked a strong friendship and ongoing creative partnership.
Though controversial upon release, “WAP” is sure to stand the test of time as one of the most impactful songs in hip hop and pop history. Its cultural reset helped usher in a new wave of empowerment for women in music that continues today. The untold story behind its creation makes its influence even more impressive.
