Cardi B, Bodak Yellow & Hip-Hop’s Orientalism Problem

Let me start out by saying that it actually PAINS me to write this. Admittedly, one of my guilty pleasures is reality television, so I’ve binge watched Love & Hip Hop enough times to have felt some sentimental pride for my girl Cardi B’s recent come-up. That’s probably how I was able to jam to her single “Bodak Yellow” several dozen times before ever watching the music video, which has now become the biggest YouTube hit by a female rapper since Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda.” In the opening...