Bodak Yellow by Cardi B Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Anthem of Self-Empowerment and Hustle
Lyrics
Ayy
Said I’m the shit, couldn’t fuck with me if they wanted to
I don’t gotta dance
Said little bitch, you can’t fuck with me
If you wanted to
These expensive, these is red bottoms
These is bloody shoes
Hit the store, I can get ’em both
I don’t wanna choose
And I’m quick, cut a nigga off
So don’t get comfortable
Look, I don’t dance now
I make money moves (ayy, ayy)
Say I don’t gotta dance
I make money move
If I see you and I don’t speak
That means I don’t fuck with you
I’m a boss, you a worker, bitch
I make bloody moves
Now she says she gon’ do what to who?
Let’s find out and see, Cardi B
You know where I’m at
You know where I be
You in the club just to party
I’m there, I get paid a fee
I be in and out them banks so much
I know they’re tired of me
Honestly, don’t give a fuck
‘Bout who ain’t fond of me
Dropped two mixtapes in six months
What bitch working as hard as me?
I don’t bother with these hoes
Don’t let these hoes bother me
They see pictures, they say, “Goals”
Bitch, I’m who they tryna be
Look, I might just chill in some Bape
I might just chill with your boo
I might just feel on your babe
My pussy feel like a lake
He wanna swim with his face
I’m like, “Okay”
I’ll let him do what he want
He buy me Yves Saint Laurent
And the new whip
When I go fast as a horse
I got the trunk in the front
I’m the hottest in the street
Know you prolly heard of me
Got a bag and fixed my teeth
Hope you hoes know it ain’t cheap
And I pay my mama bills
I ain’t got no time to chill
Think these hoes be mad at me
Their baby father run a bill
Said little bitch, you can’t fuck with me
If you wanted to
These expensive, these is red bottoms
These is bloody shoes
Hit the store, I can get ’em both
I don’t wanna choose
And I’m quick, cut a nigga off
So don’t get comfortable
Look, I don’t dance now
I make money moves (ayy, ayy)
Say I don’t gotta dance
I make money move
If I see you and I don’t speak
That means I don’t fuck with you
I’m a boss, you a worker, bitch
I make bloody moves
If you a pussy you get popped
You a goofy, you a opp
Don’t you come around my way
You can’t hang around my block
And I just checked my accounts
Turns out, I’m rich, I’m rich, I’m rich
I put my hand above my hip
I bet, you dip, he dip, she dip
I say, I get the money and go
This shit is hot like a stove
My pussy glitter as gold
Tell that lil’ bitch play her role
I just arrove in a Rolls
I just came up in a Wraith
I need to fill up the tank
No, I need to fill up the safe
I need to let all these hoes know
That none of they niggas is safe
I go to dinner and steak
Only the real can relate
I used to live in the P’s
Now it’s a crib with a Gate
Rollie got charms, look like Frosted Flakes
Had to let these bitches know
Just in case these hoes forgot
I just run and check the mail
Another check from Mona Scott
Said little bitch, you can’t fuck with me
If you wanted to
These expensive, these is red bottoms
These is bloody shoes
Hit the store, I can get ’em both
I don’t wanna choose
And I’m quick, cut a nigga off
Don’t get comfortable
Look, I don’t dance now
I make money moves (ayy, ayy)
Say I don’t gotta dance
I make money move
If I see you and I don’t speak
That means I don’t fuck with you
I’m a boss, you a worker bitch
I make bloody moves (bloody moves)
Cardi B’s ‘Bodak Yellow’ is not just a song. It’s a cultural moment, a declaration of independence, and a manifesto wrapped up in a beat that you can’t help but nod your head to. Released in 2017, this track catapulted the Bronx rapper from relative obscurity to the throne of hip-hop royalty, resonating with listeners from all corners for its unapologetic celebration of self-made success.
But beyond the infectious rhythm and Cardi’s charismatic delivery, ‘Bodak Yellow’ is riddled with deeper meanings and cultural significance. It’s an assertive narrative of transformation and defiance, a middle finger to the societal chains that attempt to hold back the ambitious, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Money Moves: The Pursuit of Financial Independence
At its core, ‘Bodak Yellow’ is an ode to economic autonomy. Cardi’s refrain of making ‘money moves’ serves as the song’s pulse, representing her transition from a past of monetary struggles to a present where financial stability is paramount. She rejects the notion of dancing—perhaps a nod to her stripping past—replacing it with the power of earning through her talent.
This emphasis on financial independence is crucial, particularly in a world where women, and especially women of color, face systemic disadvantages. Cardi B embodies the idea that one’s past does not dictate their future, and that economic empowerment is a form of self-liberation.
Red Bottoms and Bloody Shoes: A Symbol of Triumph
The ‘red bottoms’—a reference to Christian Louboutin’s luxury footwear with their distinctive red lacquered soles—serve as a motif for luxury and a life of opulence that was once unattainable. The ‘bloody shoes’ could be seen as a metaphor for the sacrifices and struggles overcome on the way to success.
By boasting about her ability to purchase such extravagant items without a second thought, Cardi B conveys a transformation from rags to riches. It’s not just about materialism; it’s a visible sign of her struggle, perseverance, and ultimate victory over hardship.
Cutting Ties and Climbing High: The Ruthless Rise to the Top
Cardi B doesn’t shy away from detailing the cutthroat approach required to advance one’s goals. ‘And I’m quick, cut a nigga off / So don’t get comfortable’—these lines echo the ruthless, decisive action needed when it comes to achieving one’s dreams in a dog-eat-dog industry.
Her message here is clear: the journey to the summit requires preparedness to sever ties with anything and anyone detrimental to one’s growth. It’s a cold reality of ascendance, underscoring the often solitary nature of success.
The Hidden Meaning Behind ‘I Don’t Dance Now’
The proclamation ‘I don’t dance now, I make money moves’ is loaded with subtext. It’s not only about rejecting her former life as a dancer; it’s a broader statement on refusing to perform to societal expectations and instead, crafting her own narrative.
In this declaration, Cardi B dismantles stereotypes. She asserts her agency, choosing when and how to present herself, and on her terms. It’s an act of reclaiming power, transforming from being the entertainment to being the one who orchestrates her own empire.
Triumphant Taunts: The Most Memorable Lines
‘Said little bitch, you can’t fuck with me / If you wanted to’ – these opening lines are anything but subtle. They set the tone for a track brimming with self-assurance and dominance. With these words, Cardi B distances herself from competition, asserting that she is beyond rivalry.
Furthermore, ‘I’m a boss, you a worker bitch’ places her in a position of authority, underscoring her sense of control and power. It’s not just a boast of status; it’s a reiteration of her self-worth and her refusal to accept any position other than at the top.
