Sweeping charts worldwide since her breakout song ‘Bodak Yellow’, Cardi B has since gone on to become one of the world’s most influential female rappers of our decade. A record-breaker in every sense of the word, the superstar’s long list of accolades includes a Grammy Award, eight Billboard Music Awards, 14 BET Hip Hope Awards and counting. It’s easy to see the influence of Cardi; even in an industry stacked with renowned and emerging talents, her individuality and adept flow as a rapper as heard in releases like ‘Up’ and ‘Money’ has kept her propelling forward. Apart from making waves on her own, the trailblazer is also no stranger to the realm of musical collaborations with the most talented of rappers and singers alike.
A queen of collaborations, Cardi’s ability to amp up a verse sits as a power move to any track, as evidenced by her discography of over 30 collaborations with the top artists in the industry. Though you might know Cardi best for her aggressive delivery and signature sharp barbs, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the artist’s musical range as demonstrated in a lesser known extended version of ‘No Love’, a collaboration with Summer Walker and SZA.
Earlier in the month, the rapper released ‘Hot Shit’ featuring Kanye West and Lil Durk, a single lifted from her upcoming yet-to-be-named studio album. This marks Cardi B’s highly anticipated solo return to music after a string of features and collabs with artists during the pandemic. So before that full-length album drops, we look back at some of her most noteworthy collaborative tracks.
Lizzo, ‘Rumours’ feat. Cardi B
Channelling their inner Greek goddesses, Lizzo teams up with Cardi B to address the haters—while adorned in the most ethereal of gold crowns and cuffs. The woman-powered anthem takes on a maximalist tune while bringing brief bouts of funk rock thats bound to get you bouncing to the beat. Cardi’s entrance in the second half of the track catapults the track to further heights, firing back at haters with an electrifying verse addressing plastic surgery rumours and her past work as a stripper in the Bronx.
Normani, ‘Wild Side’ feat. Cardi B
Reminiscent of the sound from the early 2000s and late ’90s, Normani’s ‘Wild Side’ takes on a slowed sultry mood that sets the tone of the song. The rattling bass and reverb launches into a smooth chorus, followed up by Cardi’s sweet interruption, that heats things up with her suggestive lyrics and sensuality. One thing’s for sure: Normani and Cardi make up the ultimate R&B duo of a hot girl summer dream.
Cardi B & Bruno Mars, ‘Please Me’
A powerhouse pair, Bruno Mars’s silky smooth voice serenades while Cardi works her magic to add some playfulness into the flirtatious track. It’s a nod to the ’80s, where Cardi’s compelling flow contrasts against Mars’s high flying chops.
Summer Walker, SZA, & Cardi B, ‘No Love’
We can’t get over Cardi’s vocal range in this dreamy track in collaboration with Summer Walker and SZA. Showing us a new side to her musical abilities, the rapper’s smooth vocals takes on a softer touch as opposed to her usual hard-hitting traps. Slipping between singing and rapping, the artist sings about trying to make a toxic relationship work whilst perched in a romantic bed of clouds in what seems to be heaven. The dreamy music video synchronised with the background beat, tells the painful story of a romantic entanglement that pulls you back in every time.
Cardi B, ‘WAP’ feat. Megan Thee Stallion
The ultimate hot girl summer anthem—everyone was blasting “WAP” when it first dropped. Cardi B’s collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion coined the famous acronym ‘WAP’ and swept the charts in 2020. A refreshingly candid track that unapologetically embraces female sexuality, Cardi’s punchy lines complimented by Megan’s smooth lyrical growls are definitely NSFW. Lyrical shock factor aside—the music video is one to marvel at, with intricate sets and coordinating fits to match the raunchy one-liners.
Offset, ‘Clout’ feat. Cardi B
Addressing the current competitive state of the music industry, ‘Clout’ is littered with pop culture references united by the husband-wife duo. Offset’s authoritative flow and cadence calls out the desperate attention seekers, while Cardi shows her confidence in a slick verse by taking up any and all challenges that comes her way. The risqué music video shows off the couple’s electrifying chemistry and fiery lines.
DJ Khaled, ‘Wish Wish’ feat. Cardi B & 21 Savage
Cardi B was the definition of scene-stealer in DJ Khaled’s ‘Wish Wish’—a beautiful tag team alongside 21 Savage’s signature monotonous delivery. Her ruthless rhymes, unapologetic attitude and fierce visuals had our eyes and ears glued to the explosive music video.
