Released: 2023Features: Megan Thee Stallion”Bongos” by Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion is an audacious, fiery rap anthem that embraces their sexual empowerment and their flaunting of material wealth. Beyond the overt, the song weaves in tongue-in-cheek cultural references and a clear nod to their journey to fame and unfaltering confidence in their abilities and appeal.
The first verse and hook see Cardi B comparing the beat of a drum or ‘bongo’ to a man’s performance in bed, adding spice to it with explicit imageries. Her reference to “Nevada,” known for its scorching temperatures, symbolizes her hot-like-fire persona. The line of her face being printed on a dollar bill is a clear testament to her attaining financial success and status, a typical trope in the narrative of rap.
Megan’s verse then hits. Megan is known for her fierce wordplay and unwavering assertiveness. She delivers lines loaded with self-flagellation and sexual prowess. Her line, “This ass sit like a stallion, all these wannabes my lil’ ponies” is a classic show of chest-thumping bravado, comparing her competition to mere ponies while she identifies as a powerful stallion. “Hermes, made a real big purchase / Purse so big, had to treat it like a person” implies her comfort in spending conspicuously, referencing the high-end luxury brand Hermès.
Cardi B’s return with the line “Real hot girl shit, I’ma make something shake / I know these stiff hoes can’t relate” is a core part of her ethos, insisting on her relevance and unique stature in the industry. The mention of her “BD [baby daddy] is a Migo” is a nod to her husband Offset, part of the rap group Migos. “My backshots sound like bongos” repeats the theme of likening sexual activity to the rhythmic beats of bongo drums.
The song closes with Cardi offering a multilingual twist, spinning verses with the frisky declaration in Spanish, “Si tú quiere’ que te toma toma” (If you want me to take, take). Noticeably, “This pussy, Dominicana / This pussy, Americana” underscores her dual cultural identity being of Dominican descent and raised in America.
Throughout “Bongos”, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion retain their reputations for being provocatively candid and assertive. The track, filled with explicit imagery, inventive metaphors, and unabashed ego, is both a celebration of their sexual confidence and their hard-earned success in a competitive industry.
