Cardi B Reveals ‘WAP’ Almost Wasn't Released
Undoubtedly, Cardi B’s latest single, “WAP,” which features Megan Thee Stallion, is one of 2020’s biggest tracks.
In the span of two weeks, the track has broken numerous records and made a resounding splash on the Billboard Hot 100 chart — in spite of criticism from people like CeeLo Green to Tiger King star Carole Baskins and conservative pundit Ben Shapiro.
But, in a recent interview with UK radio host Ash London, the Bronx rap star revealed the record almost didn’t happen.
When she approached her label, Atlantic Records, they loved it upon first listen. Initially, the “Bodak Yellow “ rapper didn’t even tell them Megan Thee Stallion was going to be on the track until she was getting ready to film the music video. While the label ultimately loved the song, there was some concern over its NSFW-esque lyricism.
“My label was really scared to put [out] that record. They were like ‘Can you please get another record, and put Megan on it?’” Cardi shared. However, she stuck to guns. “I was like ‘No. She already did [her verses]. Like, no. Listen, just let it happen.”
Although Cardi also admitted she was also nervous about the track, especially since it was her first release in nearly nine months.
“I kept asking people, ‘Am I saying p***y too much?’” The Grammy-winning rapper jokingly added, “I felt like I was calling an actual cat to come over here.” Jokes aside, her biggest worry was that the song would come across as too “cheesy.”
But as the saying goes, the rest is history as Cardi B’s worries were unfounded. Released Aug. 7, “WAP” had the most first-week streams for any song in 2020, pulling in a monstrous 93 million streams, according to Billboard. To put that into perspective, the mega-hit boasts the 18th-biggest streaming sum of all-time. The other 17 higher spots are held by five songs, led by Lil Nas X's “Old Town Road.”
A week after its release, "WAP" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Furthermore, Cardi broke her previous record for the most No. 1 hits by a female rapper, with Ayo & Keyz-produced single netting her fourth chart-topper.
Check out Cardi B’s hilarious recountal of the whole ordeal of the below.
