By Margaret DeMarco, Contributing Writer
Cardi B is starting the new year off right with her new song “Up,” as it sits at number two on iTunes’ Global Top 100 chart within its first week. Not only did the song soar to the top of the charts immediately, it also quickly became a viral video trend called the “Up Challenge.”
Cardi B’s new song and her 2020 hit “WAP” with female rapper Megan Thee Stallion both promote positivity and confidence. Released in August 2020, “WAP” sat at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for two consecutive weeks. The collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion encourages women to own their sexuality and embrace their femininity. Many women in the music industry focus on body positivity and Cardi B’s hit with Megan Thee Stallion is no exception.
“Up” was released on Feb. 5 and was accompanied by a music video. The video gives viewers a sense of relief by reminding them that they made it through the year 2020.
The video begins in a graveyard with a tomb that reads “RIP 2020.” Throughout the pandemic in 2020, many have turned to music for a sense of hope. Artists from all genres have used their craft to their advantage during these trying times. By producing and releasing new content, they are helping to ease the collective grief caused by the pandemic.
Cardi B is among these artists providing hope that the upcoming year will be better through the healing power of music. Cardi B’s lyrics “up and up and up” give us hope that this year, people will continue to move up towards their goals.
In the hook, she raps, “if it’s up, then it’s stuck.” This line is repeated multiple times throughout the song. The line establishes her position as a rapper and solidifies her role as a top female rapper. She asserts her dominance over her fellow rappers, claiming that she will remain on top and continue to succeed.
Following the body-focused themes in “WAP,” Cardi B’s new single focuses on having a successful career and staying on top of the game.
Not only does she rap about success, but she emulates it.
“Up” has already proven to be very beneficial for her career. Not only will it finish its first week in the top five on the iTunes Charts, but it has also found a place on the social media app TikTok.
Known as the “Up Challenge,” users of the app recreate the choreography from Cardi B’s music video. The quick adoption of the song on the app comes as no surprise – the choreography from the “WAP” music video was also recreated by many users on the platform.
Despite a global pandemic, Cardi B has proven that she is unstoppable. With a song as wildly successful as “WAP,” it is often a challenge to follow it up with something of the same caliber. But with such a positive reception at the conclusion of its first week of release, it is safe to assume that Cardi B has secured her position as one of the top female rappers of her time.
