WAP

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's "WAP" is a bold, unapologetic hip-hop anthem that took the music world by storm in the summer of 2020. The song, whose title stands for "Wet-Ass Pussy," is a celebration of female sexuality and empowerment, delivered with the kind of raw, confident energy that defines both rappers. Released on August 7, 2020, through Atlantic Records, it was initially planned as the lead single for Cardi B's second album, but eventually found its home as the final track on her 2025 release, Am I the Drama? The track's heavy bass, pounding drums, and a sample of Frank Ski's 1993 song "Whores in This House" create a minimalist yet infectious beat that lets the lyrics take center stage.

The song's explicit content sparked immediate controversy and conversation, but it also earned widespread critical acclaim. Publications like Rolling Stone and NPR hailed it as the best song of 2020, praising its sex-positive message and the sheer force of its delivery. Commercially, "WAP" was a juggernaut: it debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making history as the first female rap collaboration to do so, and it boasted the largest opening streaming week for any song in U.S. history at the time. It also topped the inaugural Billboard Global 200 chart for three weeks and earned a Diamond certification from the RIAA by August 2026.

The accompanying music video, directed by Colin Tilley, became a cultural touchstone in its own right. Featuring cameos from Kylie Jenner, Normani, Rosalía, Latto, Sukihana, and Rubi Rose, it shattered the record for the biggest 24-hour debut for an all-female collaboration on YouTube. The song's impact extended beyond music: Cardi B and Megan's performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards drew over 1,000 complaints to the FCC, and the ensuing debates about censorship and sexual expression only amplified the song's reach. [edit]