Released: 2020
Features: Megan Thee Stallion
“WAP” by Cardi B, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, is a provocative, sexually-charged anthem that equally celebrates and interrogates sexual empowerment and female expression. Asserting control, Cardi and Megan unabashedly present their desires, making explicit demands and expecting reciprocation from their male partners.
The repeated phrase “There’s some whores in this house” is a sample from a 1990s Baltimore club song by Frank Ski. It’s used here not as disrespect, but more of a reclaiming term, an affirmation of sexual liberation where derogatory labels are subverted into assertions of power.
With lines like “I said certified freak, seven days a week,” Cardi B is unabashedly and openly expressing her sexual appetite. The term “certified freak” is an urban, colloquial term to describe a person with a high degree of sexual adventurism. “Wet ass pussy” (WAP) is a further declaration of their sexual appeal and prowess. The significance of “pullout game weak” implies that their sexual allure is so strong that it’s tough for their partners to withdraw during intercourse, a usually practiced method of birth control.
The chorus “Yeah, you fucking with some wet ass pussy / Bring a bucket and a mop for this wet ass pussy” underscores the theme of sexual desire. The ‘bucket and mop’ are exaggerated, metaphorical tools referencing the after-effect of their intense sexual encounters. The hook uses explicit language to suggest the female’s possession of an irresistible sexual allure.
The verse starting with “Beat it up, nigga, catch a charge” showcases the explicit sexual content where Cardi B introduces a range of explicit fantasies and desires, asserting women’s equal stake in the sexual pleasure game. The lines “I want you to park that big Mack truck right in this little garage” is a metaphoric expression of a desire for a well-endowed man, and the term ‘garage’ is a euphemism for the female genitalia.
“Gobble me, swallow me, drip down the side of me” with Megan Thee Stallion further reiterates the theme of sexual dominance where the role of control and domination is taken over by women, which traditionally been held by men in both the sexual and musical arenas.
Also, notable is the line “I don’t cook, I don’t clean / But let me tell you, I got this ring.” This lyric is a critique of traditional gender roles where women were expected to perform duties such as cooking and cleaning to maintain a relationship. Defying the expectation, Cardi asserts that she has obtained commitment (symbolized by the ring) without conforming to this perceived ideal.
Overall, “WAP” is a song of sexual liberation, unapologetic desire, and in-your-face female empowerment. It challenges societal norms around female sexuality and asserts the right of women to own their sexual power.
