Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion shocked everyone with the surprise drop of "Bongos" last Friday, Sep. 8, 2023.
The release of the song came alongside its music video, which Cardi B says took $2 million to produce.
Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion 'Bongos' Music Video
Pretty much like "WAP," Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's 'Bongos' music video is as colorful as it is lively. The sizzling after-summer song has definitely captured the vibe that "WAP" has radiated, albeit very different in flow and hook.
The "Bodak Yellow" rapper is crossing her fingers that the 'Bongos' music video views will continue to rise to make up for the massive budget they have to pool in for it.
Speaking to Angela Yee on "Way Up," the female rapper revealed that it took the "Bongos" music video budget to be $2 million, because she and Megan Thee Stallion wanted the song's existence to be silent until their desired schedule of publishing.
Apparently, the "Bongos" music video was shot by Tanu Muino, the same director of Harry Styles' "As It Was" and Lil Nas X's "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)," Variety reports. Supposedly, they wanted it to be shot outside the country, but the hurricane season has left them no choice but to shoot everything in Malibu.
"Malibu always [has] paparazzi and everything so we hired about 20 guards, 15 guards just guarding the whole area," she revealed, even detailing that they have to geo-fence the area.
The team has to also wear in-ear speakers so that the song wouldn't be blasted on the area as they danced the choreography while being captured.
Notably, the costumes and the set were also devoted to a huge chunk of the budget.
"This type of stuff cost a lot of money for the videos and rehearsals every day - it cost a lot of money, it's a lot of work," Cardi admitted.
READ ALSO: Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion Pranked Fans: 'Bongos' NOT 'WAP' Pt2?
'Bongos' vs 'WAP'
As for its commercial success, "Bongos" is expected to perform quite poorly compared to the banger that was "WAP."
For reference, "WAP" blasted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 2020 - the fastest-selling single of the 2020s decade, surpassing 1 million units in less than 2 weeks. (via Chart Data)
Pegged as the comeback song of Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B's biggest collaboration in the past months, "Bongos" is only predicted by Talk of the Charts to debut in the Top 20 frame of the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
READ ALSO: Nicki Minaj Meeting Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion At VMAs Despite Alleged Rift
