Cardi B’s Twerk: From Track to Cultural Revolution

When Cardi B drops a track, the world doesn’t just listen—it reacts. Nowhere is this more evident than in the global surge and enduring legacy of twerking, propelled to cultural prominence not just by choreography, but by one unmistakable force: Cardi B herself. More than a dancer or rapper, she became the catalyst who transformed a dance form rooted in Southern Black culture into a mainstream phenomenon, redefining keywords like „edgy, „ „empowerment,“ and „mainstream acceptance” in the process.

Her bold embrace of twerking didn’t just spark viral trends—it ignited conversations about race, gender, and the evolving language of self-expression in hip-hop and beyond. Cardi B didn’t invent twerking, but her role in amplifying its presence is unprecedented. Twerking, with origins in African diasporic traditions—particularly the “come hawk” rhythms of Nigerian street dance and New Orleans brass band culture—has long served as an act of bodily autonomy, celebration, and resistance in Black communities.

Yet for decades, it remained marginalized in mainstream America, often filtered through stereotypes and sidelined in music videos or performances. Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, grew up immersed in this cultural lineage. Her upbringing in the Bronx exposed her to hip-hop’s raw energy and unapologetic self-expression, setting the stage for her fearless embrace of dance as both art and statement.

Her breakthrough moment came not in lyrics, but in movement. On tracks like “Bodak Yellow” (2017), Cardi B’s energetic, unscripted twerk—unapologetically hip-hop, unrefined, and undeniably hers—sparked immediate viral momentum. The dance became a cultural flashpoint, trending globally and embedding twerking into the fabric of catchy, identity-driven hits.

This wasn’t merely a performance choice; it was a cultural intervention. Scholars and critics noted how her display challenged traditional notions of femininity and professionalism in the music industry, turning a once-niche dance into an emblem of female empowerment. What made Cardi B’s interpretation distinct was its authenticity and context.

Unlike choreographed or staged displays aimed solely at spectacle, her twerking was rooted in lived experience—an extension of confidence and pride in her roots. She often framed it within broader conversations about body positivity, especially for Black women whose bodies are frequently policed or deemed inappropriate in formal spaces. As she once told Versace’s *Vogue*, “Twerk’s not about shock value.

It’s about joy, control, and reclaiming your movement.” This nuanced framing elevated twerking from novelty to narrative, giving voice to an entire generation of women who see in it a mirror of self-acceptance. The ripple effects were profound. Within months of “Bodak Yellow” drops, twerking appeared in commercials, music videos, and fashion runways—once unthinkable.

Celebrities, athletes, and influencers—from Megan Thee Post to NBA players—adapted variations, accelerating mainstream adoption. Brands integrated the movement into campaigns, not just as a dance but as a lifestyle statement tied to authenticity and resilience. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram exploded with user-generated twerking challenges, each infused with Cardi B’s signature swagger, proving the power of digital culture to amplify underground movements.

Yet, Cardi B’s impact extends beyond media virality. Her approach redefined how communities reclaim cultural practices. Twerking, once dismissed as mere entertainment, became a site of heritage validation.

It repositioned African American vernacular dance as a legitimate and influential art form deserving recognition—not as exoticism, but as foundational to hip-hop’s DNA. Music analysts point to this shift as part of a larger reckoning, where Black dance forms move from margins to mainstream credit, challenging long-standing gatekeeping in pop culture. Economically, Cardi B’s twerking phenomenon reshaped industries.

Artists credited the movement with boosting streams and album sales, particularly for acts rooted in trap and hip-hop. Merchandise featuring twerking-inspired graphics surged, and dance tutorials skyrocketed. Fashion labels followed, designing apparel that celebrated the dance’s bold aesthetic.

Beyond commerce, the cultural capital accrued by embracing such movements reinforced the value of authentic narrative—showing that representation, when led by those with lived truth, drives lasting change. Critics of the twerking trend occasionally raised questions about commercialization—whether the essence of the dance was diluted when repackaged for global consumption. But Cardi B’s response underscored the dance’s roots: “This is our culture.

We don’t give it up. We show the world what it really means.” This sentiment resonated deeply, reinforcing that twerking, as popularized by Cardi B, is not a fad, but a cultural renaissance rooted in Black joy and resistance. Her influence continues to evolve.

Scholars now study the phenomenon through intersectional lenses, examining its intersections with race, gender performance, and digital virality. Fitness experts note that twerking, when done mindfully, aligns with modern wellness trends, blending style, strength, and spontaneity. Educators incorporate it into discussions of cultural appropriation versus appreciation, urging mindful engagement with dance forms that carry deep historical weight.

In every sense, Cardi B’s twerking transcends dance. It is a narrative—of empowerment rising from street corners, of cultural visibility demanding space in global media, and of Black expression refusing to be contained. Her movement wasn’t just seen; it was felt, debated, and internalized across continents.

The dance now lives in TikTok trends, festival performances, and everyday self-expression, a living testament to how one artist’s unassuming gesture can ignite a global cultural transformation. As twerking remains an indelible part of contemporary music and fashion, Cardi B’s role stands not as a moment, but as a movement—authentic, unapologetic, and unmistakably hers. It reflects a broader shift in how culture is created, shared, and honored: through voices that dance with fearless truth, and through celebrations that refuse to be silenced.