Cardi B Sampled This Merengue Classic in “Bodega Baddie”
Cardi B poses during the second half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics Monday, May 12, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Cardi B’s new song “Bodega Baddie” might sound familiar because of a particular sample. The rap superstar nods to her Dominican roots with Magic Juan’s classic “Ta Buena (Tipico).”
After a seven-year wait, Cardi B finally released her sophomore album Am I the Drama? on September 19. The LP includes her previous hits “UP” and “WAP” featuring Megan Thee Stallion. Among the new songs, one that is making waves, especially among her Latine fans, is “Bodega Baddie.” The bilingual banger includes a sample of fellow Dominican artist Magic Juan’s “Ta Buena (Tipico).”
With “Bodega Baddie,” Cardi B celebrates her Dominican roots as well as her roots in the Bronx. She leans fully into merengue with the incorporation of Magic Juan’s 2001 hit “Ta Buena (Tipico)” featuring El Prodigio. While calling herself “la más sexy del Bronx,” Cardi B also references two other Latino icons. She compares herself to the late Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla and then sings the chorus from Daddy Yankee’s classic “Gasolina.”
Cardi B’s Am I The Drama? album also includes collaborations with two Latina artists. Mexican-American singer and actress Selena Gomez appears on “Pick It Up,” while Lourdiz, who often highlights her Tejano roots in her music, features on “On My Back.” Interestingly, in 2023, Lourdiz was also featured on Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 LP, appearing on the track “Cowgirl.”
Cardi B’s sophomore album is projected to debut at No. 1 on next week’s Billboard 200 chart. She has been heavily promoting the release as she aims for her second consecutive chart-topper.