Cardi B Explained The "Annoying" Process Of Coming Up With Clean Versions Of Her Explicit Songs

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Cardi B revealed one of the downsides of making songs with raunchy lyrics.

A closeup of Cardi B on the red carpett
Chance Yeh / Getty Images for Atlantic Records

During a recent interview on Hot Ones, Cardi B answered a string of questions while eating hot wings that progressively got hotter.

  First We Feast
First We Feast

Cardi was asked how she feels about making radio-friendly versions of her songs, and she didn't waste any time giving her answer.

  John Nacion / WireImage / Getty Images
John Nacion / WireImage / Getty Images

"Annoying," Cardi yelled. "So annoying. I just did it practically two weeks ago. I was so over it."

  First We Feast
First We Feast

She revealed she recorded a clean version of her latest single, "Bongos," featuring Megan Thee Stallion. And Cardi had to get real creative with the new lyrics, because even the opening line of the song is X-rated.

"In ['Bongos'] I'd be like, 'N***a, eat this ass like a plum.' So [when] I'm doing the clean version, I'm like, 'Baby, eat it up like a plum.'"

  First We Feast
First We Feast

But even that slight change didn't sit well with radio executives. The lyrics were still a little too suggestive for the pop radio charts.

  Taylor Hill / Getty Images
Taylor Hill / Getty Images

"They're like, 'No, you still can't play that for pop radio.' Whatever. So I'm like, 'Baby, eat these peaches and plums.' That sounds so corny!"

Cardi B sitting on top of a disco ball during a performance
Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images

"That sounds like Kidz Bop. But I had no choice. So baby, eat these peaches and plums."

  First We Feast
First We Feast

Cardi and Meg performed the song live for the first time at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. This is their second collaboration together.

  Christopher Polk / Variety via Getty Images
Christopher Polk / Variety via Getty Images

While she might not be a fan of the edited version, the song is already doing numbers on the Billboard charts — it climbed into the Top 5 Hot R&B/Hip Hop songs chart during its debut.

  Bravo / Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images
Bravo / Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images

To watch Cardi's full Hot Ones interview, check out the video below.