Up

"Up" is a multifaceted anthem centered on themes of unshakable confidence, confrontation, and success. The core message is delivered through the recurring hook, "If it's up, then it's stuck." This phrase, which Cardi B explained is a common Southern slang term she picked up from her husband Offset, functions as a declaration of irreversible conflict. It means that once a problem or beef arises, it's on and there's no backing down; the issue is permanent until resolved, with Cardi firmly on the winning side.

Beyond the confrontational aspect, Cardi B offered a more humorous and metaphorical interpretation during an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." She comically compared the phrase to the feeling of being constipated, saying, "So have you ever taken a poop, right, and it don't come out? It's just up and it's stuck." She clarified this was a "metaphorical quote," adding a layer of her signature humor to the song's tough exterior.

Lyrically, the song is a powerful exercise in braggadocio. Cardi boasts about her wealth ("Big bag bussin' out the Bentley Bentayga"), physical appearance ("face bomb, ass tight"), and status in the music industry. It's a statement of dominance and self-assurance, intended to be a "more gangsta, more cocky" track to contrast with the overt sexuality of her previous hit "WAP". The song serves as a return to the grittier, street-style confidence of her early mixtapes, inspired by Chicago drill music.

The narrative of the song is a powerful and assertive declaration of self-worth, success, and dominance in the face of rivals and detractors. It opens with a bold statement of identity, positioning the narrator as a top-tier figure who operates on a global scale, effortlessly dismissing lesser individuals. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is in complete control of her life and career. She is sexually empowered, financially independent, and unafraid to assert her superiority. References to her physical attributes—'face bomb, ass tight'—are not presented for external validation but as another facet of her overall power.

She boasts about her wealth and luxurious lifestyle, symbolized by expensive items like Birkin bags and Bentley Bentaygas, which serve as tangible proof of her success. The recurring hook, 'If it's up, then it's stuck,' acts as a central thesis, a statement of unwavering resolve. It signifies that any conflict or 'beef' is a settled matter from the start because her victory is inevitable. This phrase, rooted in street slang, establishes a confrontational and unyielding tone. The narrator doesn't shy away from confrontation; she welcomes it, confident in her ability to come out on top. She criticizes her rivals, labeling them as 'dirty' and insignificant, highlighting their envy and inability to compete on her level.

The song also delves into themes of sexual dominance and pleasure on her own terms. The explicit lyrics describe sexual encounters where she is the active and demanding participant, further subverting traditional power dynamics. She is not an object of desire but the master of her own sexual experiences. The narrative is one of a modern, unapologetic woman who has built her own empire. She is 'forever poppin' shit,' consistently delivering hits and staying relevant, while dismissing anyone who questions her status. The song is a celebration of her journey, her unshakeable confidence, and her refusal to be underestimated or silenced. It's a high-energy anthem of self-made success, financial power, and absolute dominance in every aspect of her life.

"Up" was released on February 5, 2021, as the second single from Cardi B's anticipated sophomore album. The song was recorded in 2020. The production was a collaborative effort by Yung Dza, Sean Island, and DJ SwanQo, with Cardi B (credited as Belcalis Almanzar), Joshua Baker, and Jorden Thorpe (Pardison Fontaine) also holding songwriting credits.

The creation of the beat has a unique international story. Yung Dza, a 25-year-old producer from Belgrade, Serbia, created the beat in January 2020. He was contacted by Migos' Quavo, who asked for a pack of 20 hard piano and bass-heavy beats. Yung Dza produced them in a single night, and the beat for "Up" was among them.

Cardi B stated she wanted to create a "more hood song" that was "more gangsta, more cocky," feeling her previous single "WAP" was very sexual and she wanted to pivot to a different theme. The primary lyrical inspiration came from her husband, Offset, and his frequent use of the Southern slang phrase "up and stuck." Shortly after its release, the song faced plagiarism accusations from New Jersey rappers Mir Fontane and Mir Pesos, who claimed the hook was lifted from their song "Stuck." They pointed out their song was released in August 2020. Cardi B refuted the claims, providing evidence of her working on the hook on an Instagram Live from August 7, 2020. However, the rappers countered that they had previewed their track a day earlier, on August 6. Despite the controversy, it was also noted that the phrase "it's up, it's stuck" is a common slang term used in numerous other hip-hop tracks, predating both songs.

The rhythmic structure of "Up" is defined by its hard-hitting trap beat, with a tempo that drives the song forward relentlessly. Cardi B's lyrical delivery is tightly synchronized with this rhythm, often employing a rapid-fire flow that emphasizes the beat's percussive elements. The song's power comes from the interplay between the stark, booming 808s and her sharp, punctuated rapping style.

The rhyme scheme is intricate and predominantly internal, focusing more on flow and cadence than on simple end rhymes. For example, in the lines, "Big bag bussin' out the Bentley Bentayga / Man, Balenciaga Bardi back and all these bitches f*cked," she uses assonance and consonance with the 'B' and 'A' sounds to create a rhythmic, percussive effect that is as much about sound as it is about meaning. The hook, "If it's up, then it's up, then it's up, then it's stuck," uses a simple, repetitive structure with a perfect rhyme ('up'/'stuck' when delivered with her accent) that makes it incredibly memorable and effective as a central motif. This repetition creates a hypnotic, chant-like quality that is central to the song's aggressive and confident mood.

"Up" is characterized by Cardi B's aggressive, confident, and rhythmic vocal delivery, which is a hallmark of her style. The song is built on a trap and drill-inspired beat, featuring hard-hitting 808s, a prominent piano loop, and a driving tempo that creates a sense of urgency and intensity.

Lyrically, the song heavily employs braggadocio, a staple of hip-hop where the artist boasts about their skills, wealth, and success. Cardi uses vivid, and often explicit, imagery and slang to paint a picture of her lavish and dominant lifestyle. The lyrics are packed with cultural references and name-drops, such as "Balenciaga Bardi," which merges a luxury fashion brand with her own persona to enhance her image of opulence.

The track's structure is built around the highly repetitive and catchy hook, "If it's up, then it's up, then it's up, then it's stuck." This use of repetition makes the central theme inescapable and transforms the phrase into an infectious, chant-like mantra. Her flow is dynamic, shifting in cadence and speed to keep the listener engaged and to emphasize certain punchlines. The use of ad-libs (like 'Woo' and her signature tongue trill) adds another layer of personality and energy to the track, making it feel spontaneous and authentic.

"Up" made a significant cultural and commercial impact upon its release. The song debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest debut for a solo female rap song since Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" in 1998. It later climbed to number one, making Cardi B the only female rapper to have multiple solo number-one singles, following "Bodak Yellow". This achievement solidified her status as a record-breaking artist in hip-hop.

The song received critical acclaim and prestigious awards, including an American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song, making her the first artist to win that category three times. It also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance. The track's popularity was amplified by its success on social media, particularly TikTok, where the "Up Challenge," featuring choreography from the music video, went viral.

The music video, directed by Tanu Muino, was also praised for its high-concept visuals and fashion, featuring custom pieces from independent designers. Despite its success, the song was also at the center of a minor controversy regarding plagiarism claims over its hook, though the central phrase was identified as a common slang term.

The central metaphor of "Up," as Cardi B herself explained, can be humorously interpreted as constipation—a situation that is uncomfortably and unmovably stuck. While delivered with comedic timing, this 'metaphorical quote' reinforces the song's main lyrical theme: once a conflict starts ('it's up'), it is irresolvable and fixed ('then it's stuck').

The lyrics are rich with symbols of wealth and status, which function as markers of her success and power. Objects like the Bentley Bentayga and Birkin bags are not just luxury goods but symbols of her arrival at the pinnacle of financial success, used to intimidate her rivals. The line "Racks stack up Shaq height" uses the legendary basketball player Shaquille O'Neal's imposing stature as a vivid metaphor for the immense scale of her earnings.

The music video adds another layer of symbolism. It opens with Cardi standing on a tombstone that reads "RIP 2020," symbolically laying the difficult year to rest and heralding a new era of her dominance. Throughout the video, her various elaborate and powerful outfits, from celestial white gowns to diamond-encrusted lingerie, symbolize her multifaceted persona—simultaneously angelic and dangerously powerful.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the hook: "If it's up, then it's up, then it's up, then it's stuck." This line is repeated multiple times, functioning as the song's central thesis and a powerful, memorable mantra. Its repetition drills the core message of unyielding confrontation and dominance into the listener's mind. The phrase, a piece of Southern slang, signifies that once a conflict has started, it's permanent and Cardi is poised for victory.

Another recurring motif is the imagery of wealth and luxury. Phrases like "Big bag bussin' out" and references to high-end brands like Bentley and Birkin appear in the verses, reinforcing the theme of financial success as a form of power and dominance. This motif is not just about flaunting wealth but about using it as a weapon to underscore her elevated status compared to her rivals. The repetition of her own moniker, 'Bardi,' also serves as a recurring branding tool, cementing her identity throughout the track.