Sophia Michaels
Cardi B is one of the defining rappers of the past few years. After several years of male domination of the hip-hop charts, she opened the door for other female rappers like Lizzo and Megan Thee Stallion. Here’s a look at her biggest hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Surprisingly, her biggest hit barely features her.
5. ‘Please Me’
Bruno Mars is huge. Cardi B is huge, Any collaboration between the two artists was bound to be huge, unless something went seriously awry. Unlike the other Cardi B/Mars collaboration, Cardi B dominates this track.
As a musician, Bruno Mars has always been a little uncomfortable with the present. The singer seems much more comfortable mimicking the music of earlier eras, from 1950s doo-wop to the reggae rock jams of the late 1970s. “Please Me’ might be his most modern hit yet, as the track sees Mars being thrust into the world of trap music. The change of genre works surprisingly well.
4. ‘Finesse’
“Please Me” wasn’t the first time Cardi B and Mars worked together. Their first collaboration, “Finesse,” feels more like a Mars song than anything else. On the track, the duo recreate a genre that deserves more appreciation – new jack swing, the energetic hip-hop/R&B subgenre which peaked in the early 1990s.
From “Uptown Funk” to “Bubble Butt,” Mars has proven that he’s a master of party songs. “Finesse” is a bit more relaxed than Mars’ other party songs. Cardi B’s verse is charming. I dare any rap fan to listen to the Lil Jon reference in her verse without smiling.
3. ‘Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)’
This isn’t Cardi B’s biggest hit, but it’s the hit that introduced her to the world. For many years, a rap song could only become huge if it featured a hook from a pop or R&B singer like Rihanna, Alicia Keys, or Adam Levine. “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” became a number-one hit without the help of an established star.
On one level, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” helped to break the mold for rap hits. The song was able to become a hit because it’s hook is so indelible. One listen and you’ll never forget the line “I don’t dance, naw, I make money moves.”
2. ‘I Like It’
“Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” thrived on its minimal yet forceful hook. “I Like It” has an even more forceful hook. Regardless of where you are in your life, hearing the chorus “I like it like that” will make you feel cool and powerful. There’s a lot of songs about enjoying money and luxuries, but this one is among the most fun. J Balvin adds spice to the track
1. ‘Girls Like You’
Shockingly, Cardi B is barely present on her biggest hit. The sedate Maroon 5 track “Girls Like You” features a verse from Cardi B on the bridge. She only has about thirty seconds on the track, but she makes her mark anyway.
Written by: CheatSheet
