Today, marks the One Year Anniversary for “Money”! The single was released on October 23rd of last year, and was the first solo song that Cardi released since the release of her debut album, “Invasion of Privacy.” The song was written by Cardi B, and produced by J. White Did It. Cardi has also since performed the song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, alongside the “Money Bag” instrumental. Its music video won Best Hip-Hop at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.
On October 22, 2018 Cardi B announced that the single would be released the following Thursday. However, the song was released two days earlier due to a leak.
The single’s artwork features Cardi posing in gloves composed of gold watches and a gilded, chain-fringed hat.
SUCCESS AND RECEPTION
On Billboard, the song peaked at #13 in the US & reached the top 40 in Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand & the UK. It sold 6M WW, was the best selling solo female rap song of 2018, won a VMA and BET Award and is eligible for 5X Platinum in the US.
From Rolling Stone, Jon Blistein commented “Money” “boasts a stomping yet simple beat built around spitfire trap drums and stark piano strikes. Cardi rides the beat with characteristic aplomb, switching flows with ease as she unravels an array of punchlines and another instantly memorable hook.” Carl Lamarre of Billboard opined the song “finds Cardi dashing back to her mixtape roots, flexing a steely flow over a thunderous beat.”Tom Breihan of Stereogum wrote, “this is exactly the sort of song that Cardi B should be making right now. It’s tough and immediate, and it projects the same larger-than-life sneer that made Cardi sound like such a revelation on “Bodak Yellow” more than a year ago.”Stephen Kearse of Pitchfork deemed the track “familiar yet fun,” and added, “Cardi remains a direct and parsimonious writer, paring ideas down to their essence.”Complex listed the song among the week’s best releases, with editor Carolyn Bernucca praising the lyrics.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The production work on “Money” is hard-nosed, set in a minor key, definitely fueling her fire. Speaking of fire, Cardi B continues to be tough in her own right, eschewing being the least bit ladylike, and with a great intro line!
“Look, my bitches all bad, my n***as all real / I ride on this dick in some big tall heels.”
As always, Cardi is profane to the 9nth degree, not to mention chocked-full of confidence. Her flow is compelling, while her rhymes are familiar, but nothing ‘brand-new.’ She focuses on money, material, and sex, all rap clichés, but still in her own style and Cardi B way that we’ve grown to love her for!
Invasion of Bardi 