Joe Budden Says Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s New Song ‘Bongos’ Sounds Like “Two Women Who Can’t Make A Song”

Joe Budden, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion

Joe Budden Says Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s New Song ‘Bongos’ Sounds Like “Two Women Who Can’t Make A Song”

It’s safe to say Joe Budden isn’t a fan of “Bongos”.

The hit single, recently released by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, dropped earlier this week and the podcast host didn’t hold back his critical opinion.

Speaking about the record on his “The Joe Budden Podcast”, the former musician stated:

“This record don’t seem like it has lasting power…the hook is not hooking for me…there’s nothing in it to make it stay 1, and 2 – I know y’all think Sexxy Redd is paying me, she’s not, but this commercialized ratchet has passed. It’s ghetto ratchet time.” 

He continued:

“Neither one of them are ghetto ratchet on this song. I think they both have potential to be, and Cardi normally smokes ghetto ratchet…she’s too big to do it. We need a Bodak Yellow now.”

“we need the same writers back” ??????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/fKenExN0zR

— ?? (@clearittfup) September 9, 2023

It seems that Joe feels the rap star, born Belcalis Almánzar, is making vastly different music than she did at the start of her career. Cardi began her ascent in the music industry upon releasing her 2016 mix tape “Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1”. In 2018, following her short stint as a cast member on “Love & Hip Hop”, the rapper’s success skyrocketed with her single “Bodak Yellow”. The record earned Cardi several accolades, including an AMA award, Soul Train award, BET Viewers Choice award, and more. Additionally, the song became the rap star’s first single to make the top 20 Billboard chart, debuting at #85 and reaching #1 after a few months on the chart.

In his rant about her newest release, however, Budden doubled down on his opinion that “Bongos”, which dropped September 8th, isn’t a typical hit in which Cardi routinely delivers. He continued:

“This sounds like this is two women who can’t make a song…so we need to get either some of the same writer’s back…Pardi…we assume he’s not writing for either one of them today…we don’t know…but this sounds like, I don’t see it.”

Despite his criticism, the song seems to be well received as far as statistics go. The music video features both Cardi and Megan, born Megan Pete, performing seductively amongst a vibrant array of back up dancers and has amassed over 7.6 million views in only two days. Additionally, the latin inspired track is steadily climbing iTunes and Billboard charts, though it appears to be too early to tell how well it will do overall.

.@iamcardib & @theestallion's "Bongos" has reached a new peak at #17 (+5) on Apple Music US.pic.twitter.com/eHa86amXCe

— Cardi B Charts (@chartsbardi) September 10, 2023

Rumors have also been swirling that the pair may perform the new single at the coming VMA’s, which airs on MTV September 12th. However, as Nicki Minaj, who notably has had long standing beef with both Cardi and Megan is hosting, this seems to be a long shot. The network nor the artists have confirmed the collaborators were added to the line-up at this time.

What are your thoughts on “Bongos”? Tell us in the comments section below!