Earlier this week, there was some notable music industry news: after three weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts, Taylor Swift had been dethroned. Children, I remember a time when Taylor would sit at #1 for months on end!! So that was a big deal, I guess. Personally, I never thought “Look What You Made Me Do” was Taylor’s best song, or her most radio-friendly song. She seemed to know that too, which is why she released “Ready For It” just days after “LWYMMD,” and “Ready For It” is quite honestly the superior pop song. Still, it was “LWYMMD” which sat at #1 for three weeks, until it got dethroned by… Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow.” Here’s “Bodak Yellow,” NSFW because of lyrics:
Cardi B is a former stripper turned reality star turned pop/rap star. She’s the very definition of “self-made” and “hustler” and she’s getting mad props inside and outside of the music industry. Cardi B is now the first female rapper since Lauryn Hill (!!!) to reach #1 on the charts with a solo track (meaning, there’s no Lil’ Wayne or Jay-Z cameo in “Bodak Yellow”). Ira Madison of The Daily Beast wrote an excellent piece called “Taylor Swift Couldn’t F*ck With Cardi B If She Wanted To” which included many gems like “as Swift and her fans age, and as her rivalries continue to pile up, she’s losing the sheen that most pop stars have early on in their careers where they can simply breathe on a track and rocket to #1 for weeks on end.” Madison also points out that Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” is a more inspirational song about not giving a sh-t about the haters, whereas Swift’s “LWYMMD” is more about Swift avoiding any kind of pop culture accountability.
So, basically, Taylor Swift knew she was beaten. And to her credit, Taylor was gracious in defeat. She sent flowers to Cardi B after Cardi dethroned her on the charts. SEE? PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE SNAKE EMOJI 4 LYFE. No, I’m only joking. This was a lovely gesture from Taylor.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Srs question i have for Cardi B stans: why aren’t we talking about the cultural appropriation that is going on in the Bodak video?
i agree. I thought the same when i saw this.
I’m not a stan, but I don’t see it . the camel rides in the desert is something that anyone can do and her outfit is what they wear is the dessert right? I did see the one guy at the table gutra on, that I can call out ! What else did you see?
Ummm… is she middle eastern? Because the few seconds I watched, that all looked like middle eastern culture. Which seems problematic by the standards of no one can borrow anyone else’s culture.
@Betsy….. I was asking an honest question from the prospective that
A. you can actually go on camel rides in the middle east and not be middle eastern
B. Foreigners are encouraged to dress some what traditionally or covered, and the abaya in an option.
C. Is it because it’s a music video, if so does that apply to movies as well.
😀
just curious because this video did just jump out as appropriation like that one video with Chris Martin and Beyonce: she had the traditional Indian attire and head jewels.
@TheBees, in general, most/many (not all) of the things people get shat on for cultural appropriation are things that ‘anyone can do.’
That’s the first time I’ve heard the song – yikes it is bad. Not as bad as the video though… double yikes!
I don’t know why I am not allowed to say this. But I think it was Kendrick Lamar who said that today’s rap music is dumming down the young generation. A radio DJ said the reason he think JAY-Z latest album didn’t do so well was because it was too intelligent for a lot of young listeners. But they know every word to songs like Bodak Yellow, Bad and Bougee, Hit the Quan and Push me to the edge.
This. Terrible song. I mean not that it dethroned a masterpiece or anything lol I hate to be one of those people, but pop music today sucks.
I don’t like any song without at least some kind of melody. Gosh I hate this. Boooring.
Coming from 90’s hip hop this is so lame I can’t believe it’s n. One. Very very low level.No flow.
SO BAD.
Yeah, Cardi B is incredibly problematic. Not enough people are familiar with her yet for it to be an issue, but she’s said a ton of ignorant, offensive crap in the past, and if that continues I see a quick backlash coming her way.
I don’t follow or stan her and have only listened to Bodak due to the fact that I clicked on the MV so this was my first exposure to her. Interesting to see how people will respond in the future. What sort of ignorant stuff has she said?
She comes from one of the most ratchet shows on TV, Love & Hip Hop. That should give people a clue about who she is.
What. Cultural appropriation? Cuz she’s half Dominican and half Trinidadian??
Okay……. she’s using Middle Eastern imagery in her music video, it’s still cultural appropriation despite her background….
Never mind. The comment KP cleared that up for me.
What? Cultural Appropriation? She’s wearing a Hajib. She’s Black, not Arabic.
V4Real that would be religious appropriation (many black muslims live in my area and wear the hijab)
Splinter did a good write up about it- http://splinternews.com/the-charged-complicated-racial-dynamics-of-cardi-bs-bo-1798278601
Thanks for the link. I wasn’t aware of the video. Only the song that gets played to death out here in NYC
Thanks! I’ve been searching for commentary on this for a while now and this is the first time i’ve come across such an article.
Yea people wrote several think pieces about it. I’m guessing it will pick up steam as she becomes more relevant across the board.
Black twitter dragged her this weekend for the offensive crap she said about Asians this weekend as well. I don’t stan her at all and I’m about ready to cancel her already.
Didn’t she say tweet and delete something kind of racist about Arab people when someone called her out on appropriation? I also know she’s been transphobic multiple times.
I’m glad a Black woman made history, but I’m kind of annoyed that people are glossing over this sh*t and portraying her as some role model. Role models don’t have to be perfect, but there are (better imo) Black women rappers out there who can be role models who haven’t said racist and transphobic sh*t.
Yep, this was her response to being (politely) called out: “Your arab ass trying to make shit into being a racist you got no idea what its like being one of color in this country so stfu.”
Her various transphobic and racist tweets are the least of her problems really, she’s said far worse at her live shows. She doesn’t even seem to realise she’s being wildly offensive half the time, so I don’t see her lasting long before she’s caught spewing some more hateful garbage, this time while people are actually paying attention.
Oh, and she’s also dating that homophobe Offset, so there’s that.
@Kate yes! that was her reply! I didn’t like that at all. I didn’t “cancel” her yet but with the current sociopolitical climate, she has to be pretty ignorant to say Arabs don’t know what it’s like to be a person of color in this country. Many may look white but the days of “being” white are long gone for many Arabs, regardless of their religion. Furthermore, someone is telling you that you disrespected them. You don’t get defensive and make it worse. If you don’t want to apologize that’s fine but a simple “I don’t agree with you” or “I don’t see it that way” suffices. She went and made it the Oppression Olympics and minimized another person’s feelings. It triggered me so I unfollowed her on IG.
It’s so sad that out of all the people… she is the one reaching the same milestone as success as Lauryn Hill, who, let’s be honest, was much superior when it comes to vocal prowess (she has an amazing singing voice), and rap. Her songs and Miseducation is a classic…. this Bodak song seriously annoys me, imo anyone could have recorded this if they got into a recording studio. I miss 90’s rap and RnB 🙁 Nicki is also problematic, and I don’t consider her to be on a Missy/MC Lyte/Lauryn etc level, but even she has better flow and songs than this.
As an Arab person, I didn’t find it at all offensive. Just using Middle Eastern imagery or inspiration for art and stories (or whatever) is not necessarily cultural appropriation, or it’s not automatically bad at least. Cardi herself sounds a little dubious though, and of course I’m just one person anyway.
Bordermolie- and that’s totally fair enoUgh, if you as an Arab person didn’t find it offensive.
That does not, however, mean it wasn’t offensive.
Not ever member of a group has to find and act offensive or demeaning or upsetting in order for that act to be offensive.
I think it’s great that the On a camel in the dessert with a niqab trope doesn’t bother you – but that also doesn’t mean it’s ok.
Clare, I meant to add that my lack of offense here is due to Cardi just using imagery associated with the Middle East. If she’d actually depicted Arab people negatively, I’d feel totally different. I do like to see different perspectives on my culture, and seeing it through different lenses of interpretation.
Also I think the song is awful in and of itself 🙂
She was called out on it and her response p*ssed me off. I don’t care that she’s Dominican like me; what she replied wasn’t right. Be gracious when called out. It’s not like anyone did it in a rude way. I’m not Arab so I can’t speak on the cultural appropriation stuff or act like it’s offensive because it’s not my place, but I will comment on her reply to it.
I don’t think its gracious – I think its incredibly arrogant and patronizing. But I accept I may be biased because I can’t stand Swift’s brand of vicious but gets away with it because she’s blonde and blue eyes.
agreed! If it was a “big name” star, someone she considered a peer, who de-throned her she would not have sent flowers.
🙄 people will find fault with anything, honestly! A gesture like this from a big name Star like Taylor is lovely and probably means a lot. There’s nothing passive aggressive about it. Taylor has been known to mentor and support lots of young female artists and she regularly does really nice things for loads of people. She may be a petty mean girl at times and the epitome of white privilege, but people are layered. She can be a petty a-hole and a lovely generous person who remembers what it’s like to have your first number one all at the same time.
Hey Karlie, is that you? 🙂
No it isn’t Karlie since they broke up they don’t hang with each other. She is just a fan I guess.
Eh, plenty of people sent Cardi a shout out and congratulated her for making history so this isn’t weird imo. Swift also has a history of sending flowers. I just don’t see why this is something to trash her about??? Then again, Swift is at the “look at that bitch eating crackers” level nowadays.
+1,000,000
I normally don’t click on Swift posts but I just HAD to see how people would spin sending flowers into an awful, unforgivable act..
Gotta say: Y’all never disappoint LOL.
You are right, flowers is not an awful unforgivable act, but would Taylor have even noticed Cardi “making history” if it wasn’t Taylor’s song that Cardi knocked out of the top spot? Would it even have occurred to Tay Tay to mark the occasion if it had happened six months ago and had nothing to do with her?
Why would she or should she care 6 months ago? This affected her, so of course, she’d take notice. It’s her song that was dethroned. I don’t see how that’s so crazy or suspicious that she’d acknowledge something that had to do with her.
I bet a ton of people here wouldn’t have cared about Cardi making history if Taylor Swift wasn’t somehow involved.
The people who are making it about Taylor Swift are Cardi B (who seemed grateful and happy) and the media, not Taylor Swift.
“Why would she or should she care 6 months ago? This affected her, so of course, she’d take notice” That’s exactly my point. If it’s such an important, historic moment then it shouldn’t matter if it was Taylor’s song or someone else’s, but I think in Taylor’s mind it only matters because it affected her.
I don’t see..why it should matter honestly. If she did this six months ago she’d still be getting the reaction she is now.
Because Cardi B would’ve still posted the pictures and people would’ve still felt like it was for PR.
Also, people tend to react to things that happen to and about them. How is that odd? She wasn’t on the charts 6 months ago, so if she decided to reach out if this happened then, that’ll be nice, but if she didn’t, who would care?
6 months ago ppl’s first thoughts wouldn’t be, “I wonder what swift will say about this up & coming rapper breaking a record”
She did it because Cardi dethroned her. If she did nothing ppl would’ve had a problem with that.
It doesn’t matter, not really, and maybe I’m coming across more bothered by a small gesture than I really am. I just see it as more evidence that Taylor doesn’t pay much attention to anything or anyone unless she’s impacted directly. I keep hoping Taylor will somehow demonstrate that she genuinely cares about something – anything – in this world besides herself, her image, and her own self-interest. There are plenty of people out there, famous or not, that look beyond what is happening in their own lives, but Taylor never seems to. It feels like she still lives in a very small, sheltered bubble where it’s all about her.
I don’t know if it’s patronizing or just…extra. Swift just seems like that to me now. Someone who’s always doing the absolute most. Swift is just someone you can get sick of in a millisecond, even when they’re being nice.
Exactly. And especially when her being “nice” comes off as less than genuine. It was nice of her to send flowers but it was also a sly way to take control of the narrative. Now instead of talking about the fact that her song was not able to sustain the top spot for very long we are talking about her sending flowers and how nice she. The woman is a snake – but a very smart one.
Y’all are about to die of shock, because you know how much I hate Taylor Swift. But she didn’t actually say anything about this, and we wouldn’t have known about it wihtout Cardi B’s IG post. So… I’m… giving… her… a pass?? Oh God. I need a drink.
Eh, just because she didn’t say anything doesn’t mean she wasn’t pretty sure Cardi would post it. Taylor has proven time and time again she is very intelligent when it comes to things like this. She knows she’s the bigger star and the majority of people who aren’t as famous as her would post they got flowers from her. I think it’s a nice gesture, but to pretend for one second that she sent those to congratulate her and that reason only without some benefit for her(such as positive press) is giving Taylor more credit than she deserves considering how petty and manipulative she’s been for the majority of her career.
I despise TS, or her persona, but all these people attempting to find calculating, evil, purely selfish motives in her sending a bouquet of flowers to another pop singer make me LOL. Look, you can still hate her–I do—*without* trying to find duplicity, deception, egomania, or outright cruelty in her every, single, slightest act or gesture! I have known plenty of profoundly awful people who, every now and then, have done nice things. It doesn’t sway me or my opinion/understanding of them—I know the *really* awful ones remain just as bad—it only reaffirms my awareness that most people are a mixture of things, with even the worst ones having a shred or two of conscience or even kindness, now and then. People just are not so simple; it is (fortunately) rare to know of or know someone who is COMPLETELY and consistently evil. Trump is one of them; TS, obnoxious and self centered as she is, is not.
i’m with you. how patronizing. don’t try to cling on to someone new that can elevate the new (sad) “bad bitch” image you’re trying on.
It is nice. And Bey sent flowers to Gaga. Also nice. Sometimes famous women can be polite and decent.
Man, this song. I can’t get it out of my head and have been playing it on repeat for weeks.
What does bodak yellow mean?
It’s a play on the rapper Kodak Black’s name because Cardi says it sounds like one of his songs.
I can’t get it out of my head now, even though I wish I could. It’s horrendously repetitive. That synth in the back, GAH.
Yes-omg. I will never be able to get it out of my head. I’d never heard it before-and I would change the channel if it came on tbh- but I watched the whole video. Transfixed.
She is a god awful rapper, but the song is so catchy!!!
Shake It Off was only #1 for three weeks, and We Are Never Ever…. only for two. Neither were “months no end”, that’s simply revisionism.
Swift’s longest #1 was Blank Space, but I wouldn’t compare to Look What You Made…. yet, cause Blank Space was a second single, and in this case it hasn’t happened yet.
Sorry, I’m obsessed with charts haha
Likely confusing Billboard charts with other charts (itunes or top 40 or whatever)
In that case, ‘Look’ is still #1 on iTunes US and on the iTunes Worldwide chart
Yeah not surprised. It would seem like TS is forever topping charts when it’s many different charts hehe
i do not think it is that special. Having an assistant order a bunch of flowers online is the easiest in the world.
I cannot get into the song Bodak Yellow or her flow. I am old.
I’ve never heard of her or the song. I don’t even know what a Bodak is. I’m old too
it’s nothing really… rappers make words up…. it has nothing to do with your age. the only reason that i tune in is the hear what my kids might be listening to so i can shut it down when i need to ! 😀 … Yes, I’m that mom!
There were a few books I read before letting my then young son read them.You’re not alone, TheBees.
I don’t get this song (or rap in general if I’m being honest). It feels clunky to me and it’s pretty generic. I’ve tried twice and I can’t get through the whole thing. But good for her! Get that money, girl!
It’s not age, the rap is simplistic and the sound annoying. It’s like bubblegum rap to me. Superficial with no deep social message. Pretty much like current Pop: Escapism. Sad that this is what broke Lauren Hill’s record.
Yep, that’s swift single white femaling cards B. And making cardi’s #1 all about swift in the headlines
She did it privately though… didn’t the rapper post the acknowledgement?
Cardi is the one that posted a pic of the flowers on her IG yet somehow this is Swift making it about herself???
OMFG I have to leave this thread before I lose my mind.
@Kitten: ITA, this is getting ridiculous!
@Kitten It is getting so absurd.
Nah, Kitten, Taylor is making it about herself. Just because Cardi B posted the picture, doesn’t mean that Taylor didn’t do it to be self-serving and patronizing (because we all know that was 100% her intentions)
Let’s forget the fact that we would have never known and it’d never be covered here if Cardi hadn’t posted the picture.
Nope! We’re all stupid for seeing facts and not projecting onto someone that we dislike.
Also, if Tay wasn’t involved CB wouldn’t have even covered Cardi B, which is a problem in itself.
This sh!t is getting bananas.
EDIT: See the sarcasm now, disregard.
Lol, Kitten! I only step into the Swift threads when I can handle the crazy.
Yes. There’s plenty of stuff to actually take Taylor to task for, but her privately sending congratulations flowers is not one of them.
Unless they came with a note that said “make sure you put this on social media so everyone knows how nice I am”, let’s just chalk this one up to be a nice gesture.
I’m not a huge fan of either of Swift’s new singles, so I’m not surprised Look What You Made Me Do did not stay at the top for as long as her singles from 1989. I say this as someone who enjoys some of Swift’s music. Her new album and the first single was a rare misstep for her. Yes, Swift can ride to #1 based on who she is, but she won’t stay there unless the song is actually catchy.
Damn. Sorry, double post.
I kind of hate that this post about someone awesome was framed around Taylor Swift. UGGGH
How is Cardi awesome? Like as a singer or as a person? As posters above noted, Cardi posted racist stuff before. As a singer, well to each his / her own.
Bodak Yellow is an atrocious song. Good God, she can’t spit at all. Terrible delivery.
Right? Almost seems like a parody song and video to me.
I loathe this song. It is budget flow and delivery. Foxy Brown, MC Lyte, Heather B, Bahamadia…Come on with this trash. NOPE! It hurts my ears.
I like the beat and I admit I like the song, but I also admit she’s not a very good rapper. Lil’ Kim, she’s not.
I wish Lil’ Kim hadn’t messed with her face so much because she was good.
I read her wiki page as I’d never heard of her. My gosh it’s sad. She was a self proclaimed gangbanger for the Bloods and when she got into stripping she got breast and butt implants to keep up the image. She brags about using guys saying it empowers her and that she is a stripper ho…
Poor thing needs a world of therapy
ya, that video is one big nope from me. esp with the poor wild cat in chains like that. WTF?
I hated that poor wild cat being used like that. Ugh
Magnoliarose, the leopard was the first thing I noticed in the video, and it was offensive. The animal looked sedated. The “leash” seemed like a steel cable in disguise.
Awe. What a fake sweet thing for Taylor to do. Nobody at #1 stays there forever, so why would anyone even bother to give the next one a gift? There would’ve been a lot of flowers given over the years if every singer did this
Exactly. She’s not sending everyone flowers. It’s patronizing af.
Agreed. It came off as the opposite of sweet. It’s patronizing. Only an arrogant person who’s used to accolades does that.
Btw I find both songs to be terrible. This is the crap people throw money at now??
‘If I see you and I don’t speak that means I don’t F**k with you’
YUP. I’m looking forward to seeing what Cardi B does in the future.
I listened to 41 seconds. God, this woman is atrocious. To even compare her to Lauryn Hill’s lyrical genius and thoughtful political messages coupled with beautiful melodies is blasphemy.
Well music industry has been on a down hill slope.
Honestly tho. I don’t see her being anymore than a one hit wonder, and after reading more about her problematic self upthread, can’t say I’m too shaken up over that.
Right? I’m not sure if I should be happy about the accomplishment or disappointed that this is the song and girl who did it. Both, I guess.
It made me miss her so much. I started listening to her old songs again today. I mean Lauryn Hill.
My friend’s daughter went to school with Cardi B and her younger sister (their legit last name is Bacardi) and she said the sisters are both verrrry smart, especially the younger sister. She said it was a shock Cardi B ended up a stripper, but that there is no way she didn’t have a plan. Also, Cardi B really talks like that; it isn’t an act.
Their last name is Almanzar but Cardi is short for Bacardi.
Ugh, I am must be old but I am so so tired of mediocrity and bad music.
This song is bad very bad. She has no real
musicality and the lyrics are bad and uninspired.
I actually remember a time when music mattered.
Am I surprised no, I am still disappointed.. yup😔 I think I should just live in a hole…siiiggghhhhhhh
This song is #1? What is this crap? She is like a (at best) Rihanna wanna be only “F” grade for “Fail.” And this video, stop, just stop right now: the cat in chains, making it rain, talking about red bottom shoes…yawn. And how did we know TS sent her 💐? Because Cardi B posted it on IG (eyeroll). LWYMMD spent 3 weeks at #1, which I guess is not good enough anymore. Out of curiosity, how long has a TS ever sat at #1?
Eh, Chainsmokers spent months at the top spot. I’d rather Bodak Yellow.
“How patronizing”, “fake sweet thing to do” etc. I see that a lot of y’all have a hard time reading…she sent her flowers because “Cardi B is now the first female rapper since Lauryn Hill (!!!) to reach #1 on the charts with a solo track.” which is a big deal considering how long it took.
I guess I just have a hard time believing we would be having this discussion at all if Cardi had made history six months ago, or a year from now. If it hadn’t been a Taylor song knocked out of the top spot, would she even have noticed this happened, let alone cared enough to send flowers?
Personally, I didn’t know Swifts song was at the top of the charts. I saw a headline the other day “Cardi B becomes first female rapper to top Billboard 100 since Lauryn Hill” – nothing about Swift in the headline. Didn’t read the article because the headline summed it up pretty well.
“Gracious,” when she’s acting as if the #1 spot belongs to her? Gimme a break.
Kool Aid, anyone?
🐍
It did until Cardi took it. Also maybe you should find fault with Cardi, since she’s the on that posted the picture.
Without her, we’ll never know about this 100% for attention thing that TS did in private and Cardi made public.
I dislike the chick too but come on now.
It’s not hers by divine right. She acts like she bestowed it on Cardi.
🍷here you go!
How did she act like anything?
All she did was give her some flower that Cardi chose to put on social media. That’s it nothing more or less.
God I sound like such a swiftie and I don’t even like her but..this is all reaching. There’s so much to criticize, ppl are basically criticizing for someone else’s actions.
Why wouldn’t Cardi B an up and coming star not post flowers from an established singer?
Just like she’d post a picture of her with Beyonce, or her with Rihanna.
@MommyMaura: hahahaha, same here! I read an article on Swift and I’m like meh … then I read all the triggered comments and I end up sounding like a Swiftie … and I don’t even like her either.
And of course CB keeps on posting on Swift because it guarantees loads of comments … the Swift threads really are the new Jolie threads.
Watch out, Tay/Cardi B, Cash Me Ousside girl is coming for you.
I am so so wrong for loving Hi Bich. Like SO WRONG but I can’t help it….
HAHAHA! Cash Me Outside girl is exactly who I thought of too.
No, you were right the first time. Such a passive aggressive gosh-aren’t-I-magnanimous, lets’ be good to the little people move. Eff off Taylor.
This is considered music? She just talks, you can’t even call it rapping.
Seems like the people who click on every article that mentions Tay, just saw the title and didn’t read. Cardi posted the picture. Not Tay.
However, I don’t want to Maya it, so yeah I’m done.
So far I haven’t enjoyed bodak yellow but today I’m going to add it to my work out. It’s hard to believe that it’s a bigger hit than super bass by nicki minaj which has held up as a good song , in my opinion.
It makes me wonder if people (fans) bumped it up on purpose to dethrone Taylor. Sounds like a wacky conspiracy but a 1-2 weeks ago kinja had an article about the two songs’ positions which could have inspired people. (Lots of comments there too) both of Taylor’s songs seem more catchy to me than this and they are good for working out.
Cardi is cute and looks beautiful along with those flowers, seems she is gracious just like Tay. She has this other random video about a cheap weave which is really funny and her interviews are also worth a look, interesting personality to say the least.
Supposedly Atlantic (her record company) saw the fact that Cardi could overtake Taylor if they played their cards right and pushed out quite an aggressive marketing scheme to get the song to number one. (Even so far as sending text messages to people to download/stream the song.) Factor in she heavily sampled the “No Flockin” beat which also did really well/popular when it came out, animosity against Taylor/over enthusiastic fan bases and you had the perfect storm.
Yeah, Cardi was really, really working for that No.1. This wasn’t an organic rise, she was pretty much begging her fans to make it happen the last week and a half. There was a whole social media campaign.
However Swift was just as desperate, releasing behind the scenes footage of her video all week and then lowering the price of her single when it became a close race.
There were a lot of “do it for the Culture” posts on TSR about getting Bodak to #1.
But at the same time there were a lot of Mariah Carey stans pushing LWYMMD to get Despocito off the charts so it wouldn’t break her record of most weeks at #1.
I’m also surprised Super Bass didn’t hit #1 years ago. I still listen to it today!
I still listen to it too.
Interesting, i thought I’d be slammed here for insinuating this theory that her success is not organic but you guys know more than me about it!
Now I’m annoyed at Tay for doing that to despacito, im 100% team despacito, including the JB version. I should have fond memories of one sweet day from those junior high dances but let’s be real it’s no despacito.
I just listed to Bodak Yellow for the first time and I quite like it? Her singing reminds me a bit of Lil Kim. The video is awful, though, not only for the appropriation but overall.
Also, the flowers are beautiful and obviously Cardi B was pleased about them as SHE posted the pic and made this public. Le sigh at some of the comments on here…
The cheetah in the vid does -no- look happy or comfortable at all.
Taylor deserves no credit because as usual, she’s co-opting someone else’s press for herself. If she could just sit down and shut up, that’d be great. I wouldn’t be surprised if Taylor and Cardi’s managers collaborated on this moment of mutual promo. Sorry, but Tay Tay has displayed too much calculating narcissism for me to believe she has a sincere bone in her body.
Taylor hasn’t said one word about those flowers, not one.
Exactly.
And actions speak louder than words.
🐍
Can’t believe some of you are acting like Cardi posting the pic of the flowers herself automatically negates the fact that it was still a self-serving patronizing act from Taylor lmao I’m dead 💀.
This.
+100000
Thank you.
Ready for it flopped, or flopped for her. Her fans are trying to defend it so hard it is amusing. They are padding what numbers they can for her. This album is going to not perform like 1989.
I think it’ll do great numbers for a few weeks (that Target collab is going to mean a ton of her fans will buy it twice, maybe 3 times if there’s a deluxe version), but unless these first singles have been a misdirect it’s certainly not going to have the staying power of 1989.
Yeah it’s gonna out sell it probably…
It won’t out sell it. It won’t come close to those numbers overall.
OMG! Sending someone flowers!? How dare she!? What an awful thing to do to another person. Let’s all grab our pitchforks!
Lmao. Im not a fan but they act like she’s the devil. Glad my girl’s at #1 .
The song is TERRIBLE. How is this the number one song? Yikes And that goes for Taylor’s song too.
The hate is getting insane. Swift has many, many, MANY flaws but sending flowers to a woman who’s making history in the music business should not be something to rip her about. I guess people calling it a self serving act also think that about all the celebrities that congratulated Cardi B on twitter right? Taylor didn’t even made anything public, Cardi did. There’s a lot you can rightfully criticize Taylor for, but this is streching it.
It’s completely. BATSHIT. insane lol.
The Swift threads make the Jolie threads look tame in comparison.
I know it’s just gossip and all and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the collective OTT vitriol on these threads FOR A COMPLETE STRANGER are indicative of something really disturbing and sinister re: mob mentality.
I think more BALLS need to be in play on Taylor’s threads. They have gotten more intense than the aniston-pitt-jolie triangle of doom.
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Before I saw this picture yesterday I thought – I wonder if Taylor will acknowledge it. And then I thought – she’s damned if she does or doesn’t.
If she doesn’t – she looks bitter she got bumped so quickly while other pop/rap/hip hop stars are on IG and Twitter praising Cardi for her accomplishment.
If she does – she’ll be accused of being self serving or trying to get Cardi in the “squad”.
The hate is really just out of control.
Cardi IS problematic, but I’m not ready to throw her away. I’m just not. Girls like her don’t reach these heights. I see a lot of girls that I used to know in her. I’m happy for her.
Bodak Yellow is a bop and has been my song of the summer. The chorus alone..*chef kiss*
ETA: I don’t like Swift but it was a kind thing to do.
But that’s the thing any girl that creates a bit and becomes internet famous can rise to those very heights, because as a society we have devalued music and made it about image. It doesn’t surprise me that this dumpster fire song made it to the top US chart spot, however someone else will rise through the mediocre ranks and replace it. It’s a shame that we’ve gone from Lauryn Hill to this…. Shrug
One day we’re all gonna have to talk about the idea that current music is “devalued” or terrible when the Macarena was number 1 for like 3 months when I was a kid.
Lauryn Hill sang passionately about sleeping with and falling in love with married men while preaching to young girls at the time to respect themselves. She can keep all of that. This pedestal folks put Lauryn Hill on is interesting.
I’m curious to see if any of Taylor’s singles or the new album have longevity if she keeps up this media silence. I know that this first single was on par success wise with her biggest hits but I feel like the hype around her deflated really quickly? I know, it has only been a month but Taylor generates an extreme amount of media focus and attention with her every move. Whether she cares to admit it or not, her personal life sells records and it keeps her name/music in the press, for better or worse. Subtract all of the boyfriend roll-outs, BIs in songs, and relationship commentary – what is left? It’s her entire brand. I like her music but would she actually have this phenomenal success without everything else? I think her fans truly love knowing anything about Taylor, it’s how they connect with her.
I mean, she’s still doing the blinds and references to her relationship. LWYMMD is packed with her usual not even trying to be subtle references, and the video is a goldmine. And Ready For It is about her latest boyfriend and also takes swipes at her exes.
In the days after both dropped she was all over Tumblr liking fan comments about what the songs mean and reference. She’s the same old Taylor in that way. She hasn’t done a big interview or a bunch of pap walks, but beyond that she’s been as extra as ever.
Yeah, I’m not seeing much difference between the old Taylor and the new Taylor.
You;re confusing stan bait with the mainstream public’s interest. I mean, who, besides Buzzfeed and a few blogs, is actually looking at Tumblr likes? TayTay isn’t getting covers because of Tumblr likes. She can “like” a post about this new song being about the new guy (though clearly it’s about Harry Styles) but no one knows who this kid is so the supposed BI isn’t generating any interest, let alone longevity. And if we want to focus on social media – she has posted next to nothing on the platforms that the mainstream public actually cares about and which she has famously monopolized /commodified – Instagram and Twitter.
The music video is entirely focused on Taylor being the victim and she gives clues as to how she is that but there is no tea spilled about anyone. There’s no subtlety, there are no hints – it’s in your face and in great detail. In such great detail that it requires more than one viewing to find them all and even then it’s only her stans that care about that stuff. Taylor is extra at all times but if it doesn’t generate public interest then it’s wasted, which is exactly what is happening here.
I feel appalled and sad that this was the follow up after Lauryn Hill. Insults from start to finish. Disgusting. Dope beat tho.
Authenticity. That’s the word that bounced through my head while reading this article. Taylor Swift is good at PR and has received a lot of positavity from similar gestures, But after a decade’s worth of “goodwill” gestures they begin to inevitably ring hollow, no matter how genuine the motivation is for her actions. So here we all are debating whether the flowers she sent Cardi B were gracious or self-serving.
I personally believe in most cases her actions come from a good place, but the fact remains she is all too aware of benefits that follow. Even when she herself never mentions these things, she HAS to know it will most likely reach the media and garner her praise. I don’t think that’s always her main motivation but it makes it hard not to question whether these flowers were a genuine gesture to another up-and-coming artist (like Taylor once was) or a way to look gracious in defeat.
For myself I give her the benefit of the doubt because she gave a young terminally-ill family member of mine an amazing experience that she absolutely cherished in her final months. It was never reported and didn’t benefit Taylor in the slightest… except that here I am years later defending her. Who really knows but I lean towards the belief that her actions come from a genuine place, but if it garners her positive attention its all the better. I swear Taylor does not always make it easy to like her.
I really don’t like this song and I am a fan of Cardi B’s music, it’s fun. Personally, Lit Thot is my jam.
I mean, I think the song is terrible lol but I commend Cardi B on her hustle and her fight to get to where she is. I’ve followed her on facebook and love her videos dissing people and calling shit out like it should be, so she’s as real as it gets. The song is trash but she’s making it and taking care of herself and her family and for that she deserves all the applause in the world. She’s always been upfront about stripping and that life style and I like that she’s still so honest and open about it. I think what Swift did was really nice, from one artist to another, an Cardi B seemed to genuinely be excited over it so good for the both of them. Not everything is a power play or a shady way to belittle and patronize someone.
(The only thing I don’t understand is the obsession with Loubs. They are mildly priced compared to other designer shoes and they’re not even that cute.)
yea….. yal arent going to bring a sista down ok…. cultural appropriation let be honest is the most disrepectful when (yt peepo) do it because they are not just wearing cultural garb they are re-socilizing it like its theirs or calling it a costume on party city…. and they are like the opressors of EVERYTHING lol
im fine with her video, she was fire and nice to see a self made sister of all level
Im here for the beyonces, rihannas, michelle obamas(queen of the world), cardi b’s, jill scotts, solange, issa rae….. they really can do no wrong so just fyi white society she’s NOT checking for you guys’ criticisms TRUST
I get what your’re saying Ash. So happy for Cardi B! She worked damn hard for this and it’s good to see her enjoying it because you know she never expected this level of success. As for her problematic views and opinions, time will tell whether this makes or breaks her. What I do know is that if you guys think Riri is the Queen of No F’s to give…well..bow down there’s a new queen in town.
But can we take a moment and talk about the header photos on this site and what they mean. Because I really enjoy how it is a commentary to the content, how strategically placed photos translate the message and build up the feeling most of us have towards the people discusses in the posts and at the same time how beautifully it represents how we, the audiences, feel about a certain star. Whenever I see this photo of Swifty I instantly have this feeling of resentment because she looks like a mean, ploting snake that she is (not in a way she wants us to think of her as a snake). I also meant to write this comment under every post about ryan phillippe recently. In every header picture he looks like a drunk douch. I find it really glorious, is what I’m sayin’.
I dont like the cardi b song, but i love the chorusy bit about bloody heels. I dislike taylors song but like the pump up to the chorus bit.. I find them both lacking, maybe a mix of the two would be awesome.
I love that dress.
I do not like Swift at all, especially her last songs, but hey, this is such a bad song, from every point of view. Most of all, her rap skills are ridiculous. I think Swift with the flowers acted like a pro.
Cool beans.