As Cardi B ascends to the top of the Billboard charts, the New York Dominican rapper continues to bring her acerbic wit and subtly political humor into the mainstream. Earlier this month, she posted a call to action on her Instagram, calling on New York’s different gangs to come together to protect the city from a white nationalist march.
During Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards show, Cardi continued to stir things up with a shout out to Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback who became infamous in 2016 for kneeling in protest of the national anthem after police shootings rattled the country. While introducing Demi Lovato’s performance of “Sorry Not Sorry,” Cardi quipped, “Colin Kaepernick, as long as you kneel with us, we’re gonna be standing for you, baby.”
Though it’s just a small shout out, the public show of support is commendable, especially as reactions to Kaepernick’s protest remain divided. During a stale show with no earnest political commentary from host Katy Perry and only one statement condemning the recent white supremacist attacks in Charlottesville, Cardi’s show of solidarity was welcome.
The young rapper also made a splash during the VMAs after performing “Bodak Yellow” during the pre-show and becoming the Internet’s de facto reaction GIF.
Check out the full clip below.