Overview
#UpCardiB celebrated Cardi B’s return to aggressive, quotable hip-hop following “WAP,” with the track eventually reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 2021.
Musical Return to Form
“Up” showcased Cardi’s raw rap skills without features, returning to the sound of “Bodak Yellow” with confident, braggadocious lyrics.
Quotable Lyrics
Lines like “If it’s up, then it’s up, then it’s up, then it’s stuck” became social media catchphrases for standing on business and not backing down.
TikTok Virality
The song’s aggressive energy made it popular for confident lifestyle content, gym videos, and “that girl” aesthetic posts on TikTok.
Chart Success
- Peak: #1 Billboard Hot 100 (March 2021)
- Grammy Performance: 2021 ceremony
- Streams: 800+ million on Spotify
Music Video
The colorful, surrealist video featured Cardi in a cemetery setting with bold fashion choices, continuing her visual aesthetic from “WAP.”
Cultural Impact
“Up” proved Cardi could still dominate charts with aggressive rap after “WAP’s” pop-leaning production, silencing critics who questioned her longevity.
Sources:
- Billboard: https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/cardi-b-up-number-one-hot-100-9537479/
- Grammy performance coverage