Joe Budden Refers to Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s New Single ‘Bongos’ as ‘Commercialized Ratchet’

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s recent hit single, “Bongos,” which was released earlier this week, has garnered a wide range of reactions. Notably, podcast host Joe Budden did not hold back his critical opinion during a discussion on his show, “The Joe Budden Podcast.”

Budden, a former musician himself, offered his candid thoughts on the track, stating:

“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 to elaborate on his perspective, saying:

“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.”

It’s clear that Joe Budden believes Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, has evolved her music style since her early career. Cardi initially gained recognition in the music industry with her 2016 mixtape, “Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1.” Her breakthrough came in 2018 with the release of “Bodak Yellow,” a chart-topping hit that earned her numerous accolades, including an AMA award, Soul Train award, BET Viewers Choice award, and more. The song also marked her first entry into the top 20 of the Billboard chart.

In his critique of “Bongos,” Budden reiterated his opinion that the song does not align with Cardi’s typical style of hit songs. He expressed his doubts, suggesting:

“This sounds like this is two women who can’t make a song…so we need to get either some of the same writers 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 Joe Budden’s criticism, “Bongos” seems to be gaining traction in terms of viewership and chart performance. The music video features both Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion in a visually striking production that has garnered over 7.6 million views in just two days. Additionally, the Latin-inspired track is steadily climbing iTunes and Billboard charts, although its long-term success remains to be seen.

Over the weekend, MTV and the VMA’s have in fact confirmed the two women will be performing the new single at the show tomorrow night (September 12). Interestingly enough, their nemesis, Nicki Minaj will be both emceeing and performing the same night. Fans have been speculating on how this will unfold. Doja Cat is also set to perform and we’re being told Latto maybe in attendance too, who is also feuding with Minaj.