Cardi B’s explosive hit single “Bodak Yellow” wasn’t just a chart-topper; it was a cultural phenomenon. Released in June, it catapulted the former Love & Hip-Hop star into the highest ranks of hip-hop, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her unapologetic attitude and confident delivery resonated with audiences, making the track an anthem of empowerment and financial ambition. Much of the song’s impact comes from its iconic lyrics, particularly the repeated phrase “money moves.” Let’s break down the meaning behind these powerful words and explore the broader lyrical landscape of “Bodak Yellow.”
Chorus: The Anthem of Financial Independence
“Said, “Lil bitch, you can’t fuck with me if you wanted to”
These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes
Hit the store, I can get ’em both, I don’t wanna choose
And I’m quick, cut a nigga off, so don’t get comfortable, look
I don’t dance now, I make money moves
Say I don’t gotta dance, I make money move
If I see you and I don’t speak, that means I don’t fuck with you
I’m a boss, you a worker, bitch, I make bloody moves”“Said, “Lil bitch, you can’t fuck with me if you wanted to”
These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes.”
Cardi B, 2017
The chorus of “Bodak Yellow” is a declaration of independence and superiority. Cardi B directly addresses her rivals, asserting her untouchable status. The “red bottoms,” a reference to Christian Louboutin shoes with their signature red soles, symbolize wealth and luxury. This visual of “bloody shoes” adds a layer of fierceness and signifies stepping over competition.
The lines “I don’t dance now, I make money moves / Say I don’t gotta dance, I make money move” are the core of the song’s message and highlight the shift in Cardi B’s priorities. Before her rap career took off, she was a stripper. “Money moves” here signifies her evolution beyond dancing for money. It’s about strategic actions, business acumen, and leveraging her talent to generate income on a larger scale. It’s a boast about upgrading from physical labor in clubs to making strategic “money moves” in the music industry. This lyric encapsulates the core theme of financial advancement and upward mobility that resonates throughout the song.
The phrase “I’m a boss, you a worker, bitch, I make bloody moves” further emphasizes her dominance. “Bloody moves,” referencing her Bloods gang affiliation, adds a layer of intimidation and reinforces her power and control. It’s not just about making money; it’s about making powerful, impactful decisions that solidify her position at the top.
First Verse: From Clubs to Banks – The Fruits of “Money Moves”
“Now she say she gon’ do what to who? Let’s find out and see
Cardi B, you know where I’m at, you know where I be
You in the club just to party, I’m there, I get paid a fee
I be in and out them banks so much, I know they’re tired of me”
Cardi B, 2017
The first verse delves into the tangible results of Cardi B’s “money moves.” She contrasts herself with others in the club scene. While others are there for leisure, Cardi is there for business, getting paid for appearances. The line about banks being “tired of me” paints a picture of frequent, large deposits, a direct consequence of her growing financial success. This is a direct example of the “money moves” translating into real-world wealth.
“Honestly, don’t give a fuck ’bout who ain’t fond of me
Dropped two mixtapes in six months, what bitch working as hard as me?
I don’t bother with these hoes, don’t let these hoes bother me
They see pictures, they say, “Goals,” bitch, I’m who they tryna be.”
This section highlights the hard work and dedication behind her success. Releasing two mixtapes in six months is presented as evidence of her relentless work ethic, a crucial ingredient in making “money moves.” She dismisses negativity and asserts herself as a role model, someone others aspire to be, further solidifying her “boss” persona. The “Goals” lyric emphasizes her aspirational lifestyle, achieved through her strategic career moves.
“Look, I might just chill in some BAPE, I might just chill with your boo
I might just feel on your babe, my pussy feel like a lake
He wanna swim with his face, I’m like, “Okay”
I’ll let him get what he want, he buy me Yves Saint Laurent.”
Here, Cardi B flaunts her lifestyle, mentioning BAPE (Bathing Ape), a luxury streetwear brand, and Yves Saint Laurent, a high-end fashion house. This reinforces the image of wealth and desirability that comes with making “money moves.” She confidently asserts her allure and the willingness of others to spend money on her, showcasing the perks of her elevated status.
“And the new whip, when I go fast as a horse, I got the trunk in the front
I’m the hottest in the street, know you prolly heard of me
Got a bag and fixed my teeth, hope you hoes know it ain’t cheap
And I pay my mama bills, I ain’t got no time to chill
Think these hoes be mad at me, their baby father run a bill.”
Janet Jackson
This final part of the first verse lists more symbols of her financial success: a Ferrari (“whip”) with its horse logo, a “bag” (wealth) to fix her teeth (a costly cosmetic procedure), and the ability to pay her mother’s bills. Paying family bills is presented as a responsibility she can now easily handle due to her financial achievements, again stemming from her “money moves.” The line about “baby father run a bill” suggests her detractors’ partners are financially struggling, contrasting with her own financial stability and success.
Second Verse: Solidifying Power and Status with “Money Moves”
“If you a pussy, you get popped, you a groupie, you a opp
Don’t you come around my way, you can’t hang around my block
And I just checked my accounts, turns out, I’m rich, I’m rich, I’m rich
I put my hand above my hip, I bet you dip, he dip, she dip.”
The second verse opens with aggressive lines, warning rivals and emphasizing her tough persona. The repetition of “I’m rich, I’m rich, I’m rich” is a clear statement of financial triumph. Checking her accounts and confirming her wealth is another direct consequence of her successful “money moves.” The “dip” lines are a playful expression of her confidence and the effect she has on others.
“I say I get the money and go, this shit is hot like a stove
My pussy glitter as gold, tell that lil bitch play her role
I just a-rove in a Rolls, I just came up in a Wraith
I need to fill up the tank, no, I need to fill up the safe.”
These lines continue to emphasize wealth and luxury. “Wraith” and “Rolls” refer to Rolls Royce car models, symbols of ultimate luxury. The shift from “fill up the tank” (car fuel) to “fill up the safe” highlights that her financial needs now surpass the everyday and require secure storage for her growing wealth. This is the ultimate manifestation of “money moves” leading to substantial financial accumulation.
“I need to let all these hoes know that none of their niggas is safe
I go to dinner and steak, only the real can relate
I used to live in the P’s, now it’s a crib with a gate
Rollie got charms, look like Frosted Flakes
Had to let these bitches know, just in case these hoes forgot
I just run and check the mail, another check from Mona Scott”
Janet Jackson
Cardi B reiterates her desirability and status, boasting about attracting attention and enjoying a luxurious lifestyle (“dinner and steak”). She contrasts her past living in the “P’s” (projects, public housing) with her current “crib with a gate,” symbolizing her upward mobility achieved through “money moves.” The “Rollie” (Rolex watch) with “charms” (diamonds) further signifies wealth and success. The final line, “another check from Mona Scott,” references Mona Scott-Young, the creator of Love & Hip-Hop, acknowledging the show that initially boosted her fame and contributed to her financial rise. This final line ties her “money moves” back to her strategic career choices and the entertainment industry.
Conclusion: “Money Moves” as a Mantra of Success
“Bodak Yellow” and its iconic “Money Moves Lyrics” are more than just catchy phrases. They represent Cardi B’s journey from stripper to hip-hop superstar and encapsulate a message of financial empowerment, ambition, and self-confidence. The lyrics detail the tangible outcomes of these “money moves” – luxury goods, financial security, and a transformed lifestyle. The song resonates because it celebrates upward mobility and the pursuit of financial success, delivered with Cardi B’s signature unapologetic style. “Money moves” became a mantra, inspiring listeners to strive for their own financial goals and embrace a boss-like mentality in their own lives.
