by Cardi B has taken the music industry by storm since bursting onto the scene in 2017.
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Through her bold personality, unfiltered lyrics, and inimitable flow, she has cemented her status as one of the biggest stars in hip hop. Cardi B’s meteoric rise can be traced through some of her most iconic and impactful songs, each of which showcases a different aspect of her artistry and journey to the top. These five tracks – “Bodak Yellow”, “I Like It”, “Bartier Cardi”, “WAP”, and “Up” – capture Cardi B at pivotal moments in her career and demonstrate the range of her talent and cultural influence.
“Bodak Yellow” (2017) was the song that launched Cardi B’s career into the stratosphere. Released as the lead single from her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy, “Bodak Yellow” became a viral hit that dominated airwaves and social media in 2017. With its hypnotic beat and Cardi B’s charismatic flow, the track introduced the world to her bold and brash Bronx persona. On “Bodak Yellow”, Cardi brags about her rise from a stripper to a hip hop star, rapping lines like “I don’t dance now, I make money moves.” Her authentic and unapologetic lyrics about her past and present lifestyle resonated hugely with fans.
Commercially, “Bodak Yellow” was a massive success. It became the first solo female rap song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in over 20 years, holding the top spot for three consecutive weeks. The song’s popularity also translated to critical acclaim – it was nominated for several awards including Best Rap Song at the Grammys. Most impressively, “Bodak Yellow” has since been certified diamond by the RIAA, with over 10 million units sold in the US alone. The massive commercial performance and cultural impact of “Bodak Yellow” launched Cardi B into the A-list of hip hop artists seemingly overnight. The track announced her arrival as a formidable new voice in rap who wasn’t afraid to proudly claim her origins or talk about her past openly. It remains her signature song to this day.
While “Bodak Yellow” highlighted Cardi B’s skills over a hip hop beat, 2018’s “I Like It” showcased her ability to create global smash hits. The J Balvin and Bad Bunny-assisted track blended Cardi’s flow with Latin rhythms to create one of the biggest crossover pop songs of the year. On “I Like It”, Cardi switches effortlessly between English and Spanish verses, proudly rapping about her love of sex, money and success. The track’s infectious melody and Cardi’s charismatic delivery made it an inescapable force on radio and streaming platforms. Commercially, “I Like It” mirrored the success of “Bodak Yellow”, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining there for multiple weeks.
Culturally, “I Like It” was a trailblazer – one of the first major hits to bring Latin trap music to a worldwide audience. It helped introduce Cardi B as not just a rapper but also a pop sensation. The song’s massive popularity led to it winning Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2019 Grammys, highlighting Cardi B’s crossover appeal. With “I Like It”, Cardi B cemented her status as a truly global superstar capable of creating multi-genre, multi-lingual smashes. It showed that her star power extended far beyond hip hop and could attract massive audiences worldwide.
While “Bodak Yellow” and “I Like It” established Cardi B as a chart-topping hitmaker, 2017’s “Bartier Cardi” featuring 21 Savage demonstrated the depth of her rapping abilities. Over a sinister trap beat provided by DJ Spinz and Southside, Cardi and 21 Savage engage in a competitive back-and-forth of brags, boasts and pop culture references. Cardi holds her own next to 21 Savage, one of the most respected trap rappers in the game, delivering nimble flows and witty punchlines. On the track, she raps “I don’t dance now, I make money moves / Silky smooth like a baby’s bottom, huh” and “If I was you, I wouldn’t trust me / I just bought a crib, it came fully loaded.”
The song showed that beyond her charisma and star power, Cardi B is also a highly skilled technical rapper capable of keeping up with acclaimed peers. Released early in her career, “Bartier Cardi” established her credibility in the rap world and dispelled any doubts about her rapping abilities. It became a favorite among hip hop aficionados impressed by Cardi’s dexterous flow and wordplay. While not a major commercial hit, “Bartier Cardi” was an important career milestone that gained Cardi respect from rap purists and cemented her place in the genre. It proved she was about much more than just catchy pop hits – she was a formidable rapper too.
No Cardi B song sparked as much conversation as 2020’sexplicit feminist anthem “WAP” featuring Megan Thee Stallion. Short for “wet ass pussy”, the song’s unabashed sexuality and its music video filled with money, cars and TikTok dance challenges sent it viral immediately. On “WAP”, Cardi and Megan trade verses celebrating their sexuality and success without an ounce of shame or apology. Lines like “There’s some whores in this house” and the song’s hook became instantly iconic. While the track’s overt message ruffled some feathers, it resonated hugely with many fans who saw it as a celebration of female pleasure and empowerment on women’s own terms.
Commercially, “WAP” was a blockbuster, breaking the one-week streaming record for a female rap song on Spotify. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it remained for multiple weeks. Culturally, the song became a rallying cry and internet phenomenon, spawning endless memes, dances, and think pieces analyzing its social impact. Through its unfiltered embrace of sexuality, “WAP” pushed boundaries and sparked important conversations around censorship and double standards applied to women’s expression. Most of all, it was an absolute bop that soundtracked many a living room dance party over lockdown. With “WAP”, Cardi B cemented her status as a cultural icon unafraid to break taboos and start important discussions.
Cardi B’s 2021 single “Up” marked a more introspective side to the superstar rapper. While still boasting signature Cardi bravado, the track focused on reflecting on her journey and celebrating hard-won success over a lush, melodic beat. On “Up”, Cardi looks back on her rise from an unknown stripper to one of the most famous entertainers in the world, rapping “Last year it wasn’t easy, I’m on fleek now / Look at where I be at, I done came up.” She acknowledges the sacrifices and struggles along the way but remains determined and motivated. The song’s uplifting message resonated in a year when many faced adversity, and its melody gave listeners an anthemic song to feel good to.
Commercially, “Up” was another hit for Cardi, reaching #1 on Billboard’s rap streaming, sales and digital sales charts upon release. Critically, it showed an evolved Cardi B capable of crafting emotionally resonant songs while maintaining her signature flow. Most importantly, “Up” proved Cardi’s staying power as an artist who can consistently deliver crowd-pleasing bops as well as more introspective material. It demonstrated that even as her fame grows, she remains authentic, hungry and in touch with her roots. Through highs and lows, “Up” captures Cardi B’s fighting spirit, cementing her as not just a star but an inspiration.
Over the course of just a few short years, Cardi B has cemented her status as a true rap icon through massively successful songs that have captured cultural moments. From breakout hits like “Bodak Yellow” to global smashes like “I Like It”, collaborations showing her skills like “Bartier Cardi”, boundary-pushing anthems in “WAP” and more reflective singles like “Up”, these tracks have marked pivotal career stages. Through her unfiltered and authentic style, Cardi B continues to push hip hop forward as both an art form and a platform for important discussions. She remains one of the most influential forces in popular music, and her phenomenal career is still reaching new heights with no signs of slowing. Cardi B’s story is truly one for the history books.
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