Cardi B's "Bartier Cardi" is an Expensive-Sounding Knock-Out Punch

Cardi B has had a history-making, Billboard record-breaking 2017. Off the strength of her GRAMMY-nominated, earworm single, “Bodak Yellow,” and her equally infectious personality, the Bronx rapper has quickly risen to hip-hop superstardom.

Now Cardi is back to wow us one last time for 2017, with the rich, jaw-smacking “Bartier Cardi.”

Assisted by 21 Savage, “Bartier Cardi” is a record meant to soundtrack a jewel heist. Imagine: swerving off into the sunset, diamonds piled in the backseat, reinforcements sitting shotgun.

Over creeping keys from co-producers 30 Roc and Cheeze Beatz, Cardi grabs the triplet flow by the throat, spitting snarling and frenetic raps. Meanwhile, 21 Savage’s feature is so focused, his bars etch themselves into the beat. The usual icy monotony of his cadence is replaced by a personality-packed flow. If you listen close enough, you can almost hear 21 crack a smile while the bands pile up.

“Cardi got rich, they upset,” she declares on the hook, framed up by synths akin to thick cigar smoke. They aren't upset, Cardi, they just can't appreciate this special kind of spiked opulence.