With a guest verse on Bruno Mars’ New Jack Swing-inspired song “Finesse (Remix),” which was released on this day in 2018, Cardi B maintained her stratospheric climb in the rap game.
The Stereotypes co-wrote, co-produced, and co-directed a music video for the song, which Bruno also starred in. The clip portrays Bardi as her sassy Bronx self talking about why she’s so fresh and cool in a clear homage to the vibrant beginning of the 1990s sketch comedy series In Living Color.
She raps the song’s opening lines, “Drop top Porsche, Rollie on my wrist/Diamonds up and down my chain (ha ha!)” “Cardi B is acting stupid and won’t tell me anything. I messed up and altered the game, as you can see. My big Bronx boogie has all them females shaking. My large, fat ass hooked all those boys. I switched from dollar bills to rubber bands, and Bruno sang to me as I did the money dance.”
After the song’s release, on January 13, 2018, Cardi B broke Beyoncé’s record by having five singles on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at once, marking a significant Billboard chart milestone.
Then, on January 28, 2018, Cardi took the stage at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in New York City and performed “Finesse” (Remix)” with Bruno Mars and “Bodak Yellow” in an upbeat and unforgettable performance.
Cardi B reached the top of the Billboard charts and the Grammy stage as a result of songs like these.