Cardi B brought Caribbean culture center stage on SNL in such a genius and timely move.
The Dominican-born rapper and pride of Washington Heights performed her hit “Bodega Baddie” alongside Dominican artist El Prodigio, an accordionist and merengue icon. The track samples El Prodigio’s merengue classic, “Ta’ Buena (Tipico)” from 2001. Alongside his band, Cardi transformed one of the most respected stages into a full-on celebration of Dominican culture.
In addition to the merengue sonic backdrop, Cardi B wore a traditional pollera — which consists of a blouse and a ruffled, flowing skirt — in the colors of the Dominican flag. Those colors are coincidentally the same as the American flag, which is gorgeously poetic in these “unprecedented” times.
As a proud Nuyorican, Cardi’s “Bodega Baddie” performance felt so electrifying and important in this very moment. While families born of immigrants are being targeted — especially those of color — Cardi chose to use the SNL platform to celebrate the richness and vibrancy of culture loudly and boldly.
And her performance stirred up excitement and pride on Twitter:
In addition to her two musical performances (she returned to the stage to perform “ErrTime”), Cardi appeared in a skit alongside Marcello Hernández, playing his disgruntled wife who’s completely fed up with him. Naturally, she stole the scene there, too. Honestly, would you expect anything less?
Joy has always been an unshakeable form of resistance in the scariest times, for centuries. Good on Cardi for using her night on SNL to uplift the Dominican Republic — as well as Afro-Latinos and the entire diaspora— globally.
What did you think of Cardi B on SNL? Share your thoughts in the comments.