Joe Budden Critiques Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Bongos” as Hype Falls Short
Joe Budden, renowned rapper turned podcaster, recently shared his candid thoughts on Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s latest single, “Bongos,” during an episode of The Joe Budden Podcast. Budden expressed his belief that the highly anticipated track didn’t live up to the expectations.
In his critique, Budden characterized the reggaeton-tinged song as “contrived” and akin to a “science project” generated by artificial intelligence (AI). He observed that many top artists tend to produce songs that sound meticulously crafted, likening “Bongos” to such projects.
While acknowledging the undeniable appeal of the beat, he questioned whether the song could achieve lasting success. Budden compared it unfavourably to other hits by Cardi B, such as “WAP” and “Up,” suggesting that “Bongos” fell short of her usual standard.
Budden also emphasized the importance of timing in the music industry, noting that the era of “commercialized ratchet” music might have passed, making way for “ghetto ratchet” sounds. He cited Sexyy Red, known for the hit “Pound Town,” as an example of this evolving trend.
Despite Budden’s critique, “Bongos” is expected to make an impact on the Billboard Hot 100 in the coming week. The song’s provocative music video has already garnered over eight million views on YouTube since its release.
However, Cardi B’s fans will have to wait a bit longer for her highly anticipated sophomore album. The rapper recently revealed that she is aiming for a 2024 release, suggesting that it won’t arrive this year as previously anticipated.
As the industry awaits the song’s reception and Cardi B’s next album, opinions on “Bongos” remain divided, with fans and critics weighing in on its merits and potential longevity.
