It’s still Hot Girl Summer in Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Bongos” video
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion follow up "WAP" with a beachy "Bongos" music video
Music News Cardi B
Those of you who wrap up your summer as soon as Labor Day weekend ends have been thwarted by Mother Nature and rap’s resident mothers (in the colloquial sense). Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have returned with their first collaboration since the cultural explosion that was 2020’s “WAP,” and the new music video proves Hot Girl Summer is still in full swing, no matter what fall-themed drinks they’re serving at Starbucks.
“Bongos” is no “WAP,” as even Cardi B will tell you. “I wonder how people are gonna react to this vibe because they’re really like expecting ‘WAP,’ like, ‘oh, here they go again talking this and that,’” the rapper said on the Whoo’s House podcast (via Billboard). “We are talking a little, you know, about some pussy, but not like ‘WAP’ type of stuff.”
It’s true, in that “Bongos” is a little more about the butt (cross your fingers we get Cardi B/Megan collabs about every aspect of human anatomy). But it’s also true, in the sense that “Bongos” doesn’t have the immediate cultural cachet that “WAP” did. “WAP” benefited from some truly timeless bars, a memorable music video, and an iconically naughty premise that powered the conservative outrage machine for weeks. “Bongos” pales a bit in comparison, but in fairness, it’s hard to live up to “WAP.”
Nevertheless, “Bongos” has its own charms, including the fun, beachy music video. These ladies aren’t relaxing on this vacation; they’re flexing fierce choreography in colorful bathing suits. They’re also sipping sponsor-approved Minute Maid drinks and spilling Casamigos into the lips of a waiting pool boy, presumably because music videos ain’t cheap.
It’s unclear if “Bongos” is the first single from Cardi’s sophomore album. “WAP” never found its way on an album tracklist, and the artist recently told Vogue México y Latinoamérica that she wasn’t “going to release any more collaborations” when discussing her next LP. “I’m going to put out my next solo single,” she claimed (via Billboard). “Right now, I’m working on the cover art and ideas for the next record because it’s definitely coming up. Everyone always tells me I should put the record out now. They did when I released ‘WAP’ and when I released ‘Up,’ but I always let them know I’m not going to wait long after all these singles. So stay tuned because it’s coming out very soon.”
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Earlier this year Pamela Anderson coined the phrase “sex clown.” There has never been a move perfect example of that than these two “entertainers.”
Music these days has become so oversexualized. My anaconda wants none unless it brings me closer to god.
This shit isn’t even clever. I heard “Bongos” and my immediate thought was “Oh it’s the sound your ass makes, isn’t it?” And there’s no line in the song that’s particularly more interesting than that brilliant notion. Disregarding that the right-wingers will complain about every fucking thing, aren’t we past the point where sexuality in and of itself in music is a revolutionary act? And even back in the day, when artists like Madonna were embracing that, they were still ALSO explicitly pairing their sexuality with some truly transgressive themes, specifically targeting religious iconography, racism, etc. This is no more interesting than an influencer posting on Instagram. And the beat’s trash on this one too.
I am an old hip hop fan. I remember women like Latifah, Monie Love, Salt n Peppa used to not wanting to be called hoes and now we have this. Also, I remember when the Don Imus thing happened and it shifted to rap lyrics. Nelly Tip Drill video. Oprah had a whole show about it and saying it wrong to do this to women. Black women complained, which is fair enough. Now its fucking crickets with these two.
Haaa at the very predictable AVclub scolds in the comments who are mad at too much sex in music (but somehow only when Black women do it). I knew yall’d be here, I could set my watch by you. To that I say: have you ever listened to music? Like, any music? Humans have been singing about sex for as long as we’ve been singing. I had a good friend who was a Medievalist & folk singer, whose favorite thing was getting drunk and singing extremely dirty songs in olde english. I think Black joy is still transgressive in our society (as evidenced by these comments) and these women having fun with their sexuality is transgressive enough to trigger right wingers and some of y’all. I love Madonna but the Madonna comparison to me totally sounds like that thing in sports where white athletes are praised for their intelligence & skill and Black athletes are praised for their physicality. This video does not have to live up to your political standards, sometimes pop music is just fun. As a Black woman, I love them and I love this song. I’m gonna go shake my ass for a while, enjoy the rest of your weekend!
There’s nothing wrong with sexuality. But if that is all you have to offer as an artist it stops being interesting rather quickly. It’s not sexist to call out derivative pop for being derivative pop.
This “September is part of summer” thing is bullshit. I’m sick of one week of autumn. I haven’t been able to wear my turtlenecks or Jean jacket in years. The teacher released us early the other day and was like “the weathers hot go enjoy!” I’m sorry but this whole idea that if it’s hot out you therefore must be enjoying it is ridiculous. I almost had a heart stroke the other day everyone’s been drenched in sweat in class. No. I wouldn’t call that a good time. More like sweaty girl September ffs.
What remarkable visionaries.