When the "Bongos" music video dropped in late 2023, the internet basically broke for a second. We saw the bright colors and the Malibu beach house, but honestly, people were mostly just waiting to see if it could touch the cultural earthquake that was "WAP." It didn't quite do that, but the bongos cardi b lyrics actually carry a lot more weight than just a catchy club beat.
You’ve probably heard the "bong, bong, bong" hook a thousand times by now. It’s simple. It’s repetitive. But if you look at how Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion actually pieced this together, it’s a masterclass in what Cardi calls being "work wives."
The track isn't just about drums.
Why the Lyrics Aren't Just "Filler"
A lot of critics, including Joe Budden, kind of hated on the song early on. He called it "contrived" and even suggested it sounded like AI. Cardi wasn't having it. She jumped on Instagram Live to defend the record, explaining that the creative process was actually super hands-on. She "chopped up" the verses Megan sent her to make sure the flow stayed erratic and high-energy.
Cardi kicks things off with a verse that’s quintessential Bardi.
"Eat this ass like a plum."
"This pussy tight like a nun."
It’s raunchy, sure, but the rhythm is what matters here. She’s matching the Afro-Cuban percussion of the bongos. The song is heavily influenced by funk and dembow, which is why the lyrics feel so "bouncy" compared to a standard trap record.
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Megan's Verse and the "Stallion" Energy
Megan Thee Stallion shows up in the third verse and reminded everyone why she’s one of the best technical rappers out right now. She’s got this line: "These hoes camped out in the comments / Always talkin' like they know me." It’s a direct nod to the year she had, dealing with the Tory Lanez trial and the constant online noise.
She also brings in some heavy food metaphors:
- "Thick like I'm eatin' beans with the rice."
- "Got the real meat pies."
- "Spillin' like my ass out these jeans."
Honestly, it’s refreshing to hear her sound so confident after everything. She told Cardi during a livestream that she only wants to be around "good vibes" and "good energy" now. That’s why the bongos cardi b lyrics feel so much lighter than her Traumazine era.
The $2 Million Visuals
You can't talk about the lyrics without the $2 million music video directed by Tanu Muino. Cardi admitted the budget was astronomical. They originally wanted to film outside the US, but hurricane season forced them to stick to Malibu.
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They used the Beverly Estate—the same place Beyoncé used for Black Is King. If the lyrics feel expensive ("Hermès, made a real big purchase"), the video matches that energy. Cardi even wears a robe like she’s at the Met Gala. It’s all about a "luxury freak" aesthetic.
One thing people missed? The "Bongos" title.
While most people think it's just about the drum, Cardi says it’s also a metaphor for the sound of "back shots." She’s never been one to be subtle.
What the Critics Got Wrong
There was this idea that "Bongos" was a flop because it debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 rather than number 1. But looking back from 2026, it’s clear the song had more staying power on urban radio than people expected. It actually hit #1 on the Mediabase urban radio chart, dethroning Gunna’s "fukumean."
People complained the lyrics were "boring" or "repetitive," but they were designed for the TikTok and Reels era. The "bong, bong, bong" is a literal audio cue for transitions. It’s smart marketing disguised as a song.
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Breaking Down the Key Lines
If you're trying to memorize the verses, here’s what’s actually happening in the heavy hitters:
The "Migo" Reference: "My BD is a Migo / Bitch, your BD is a zero."
This is a classic Cardi flex. She’s shouting out Offset (her "Baby Daddy") while simultaneously dragging whoever her target is. It’s the kind of line that makes her fan base, the Bardi Gang, go wild.
The Education Diss:
"A bitch couldn't school me with a student loan."
This is probably the hardest line in the song. It’s a clever way of saying she’s got more street and business smarts than someone with a formal degree. It’s punchy. It’s short. It sticks.
How to Use This Knowledge
If you’re a creator or just a fan, understanding the bongos cardi b lyrics helps you catch the nuances in the production.
- Listen for the Dembow: Notice how the lyrics aren't "on the beat" like a normal rap song. They dance around it.
- Watch the References: Look for the Beyoncé nods in the music video costumes. They are everywhere.
- Check the "Am I the Drama?" Credits: The song was eventually tucked into the digital reissue of Cardi’s second album, Am I the Drama?, which finally dropped in 2025.
The next time someone tells you "Bongos" is just a simple club track, you can point out the $2 million budget, the Afro-Cuban drum influences, and the fact that it was Megan's big "mental health" comeback. It’s a lot deeper than just a catchy hook.
To get the full experience, go back and watch the 2023 VMA performance. Cardi descends from a giant disco ball, and you can see exactly how the "on my toes" lyric translates to her choreography. It’s one of the few times the live performance actually matched the chaotic energy of the record.