Cardi B’s breakout hit “Bodak Yellow” took the world by storm in 2017 with its infectious energy, catchy hook, and Cardi’s charismatic personality. But one element that played a huge role in the song’s success was the distinctive “guitar riff” that opens and runs throughout the track. Contrary to what most listeners assume, the iconic sound is actually a heavily manipulated sample of a Middle Eastern flute melody. This unexpected choice gave “Bodak Yellow” several key advantages that contributed to its breakout success.

The Origin of the “Guitar Riff”

The “guitar riff” in “Bodak Yellow” was created by producer J. White Did It, who sampled a traditional Arabic flute melody and transformed it into the distinctive sound that opens the song. White explained that he came across the flute sample while searching online for Middle Eastern sounds. He then slowed the sample down, added distortion and other effects, and manipulated it until it took on the gritty, almost guitar-like quality heard in the final track.

Catchiness and Memorability

The repetitive and simplistic nature of the flute sample, once transformed, made it instantly catchy and memorable. The simple two-note riff plays on a loop throughout most of the song, burrowing its way into the listener’s head within just a few spins. This catchiness contributed massively to the song’s viral spread through word-of-mouth and on social media. The “guitar riff” quickly became synonymous with the song, acting as an audio signature that listeners could instantly recognize.

Creating a Hypnotic Atmosphere

The slightly dissonant and off-kilter quality of the manipulated flute sample provides a hypnotic and exotic backdrop for Cardi B’s lyrics and delivery. The repetitive, trance-like nature of the riff creates a mesmerizing atmosphere that perfectly complements Cardi’s confident and assertive lyrics about her rise to fame and wealth. The sample grounds the song in a distinct sonic environment that sets the stage for Cardi’s performance.

Setting the Tone and Energy

The high-energy and infectious nature of the “guitar riff” immediately sets the tone and energy for the rest of the song. It primes listeners for Cardi’s relentless and boastful lyrics by establishing an assertive and confident atmosphere from the very start. The sample’s infectious quality gets listeners’ heads nodding from the first few notes, creating instant momentum that carries through Cardi’s performance.

A Distinct Sonic Identity

The unexpected choice of a manipulated Middle Eastern flute sample, rather than an actual guitar riff, helped “Bodak Yellow” stand out from other hip-hop and rap songs at the time. It gave the track a distinct sonic identity rooted in an exotic and unusual sound. This unique sonic signature contributed to the song’s breakout success by helping it cut through the noise and capture listeners’ attention amidst the saturated hip-hop landscape in 2017.

In summary, the “guitar riff” in “Bodak Yellow,” though not actually a guitar at all, played a crucial role in the song’s success. Its catchiness, hypnotic atmosphere, ability to set the tone and energy, and distinct sonic identity all contributed to making “Bodak Yellow” an infectious hit that captured the world’s attention. The unexpected choice of a manipulated flute sample over an actual guitar riff proved to be a brilliant production decision that helped elevate the track and launch Cardi B’s career.