"Like What (Freestyle)" is a song by American rapper Cardi B, released on March 1, 2024 through Atlantic Records with an accompanying music video. It is a freestyle of "She's a Bitch" by Missy Elliott.

"Like What (Freestyle)"
Promotional single by Cardi B
ReleasedMarch 1, 2024
GenreHip hop
Length2:16
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Music video
"Like What (Freestyle)" on YouTube

Composition

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Over the instrumental of "She's a Bitch", Cardi B targets her detractors and enemies[1][2][3][4][5] and reminds them of her status in the rap music industry.[1][2][3]

Critical reception

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Zachary Horvath of HotNewHipHop wrote of the song, "Lyrically, Cardi is delivering some solid rhymes and lines".[6] Alex Gonzalez of Uproxx commented that Cardi B "arrives with the same eccentric and charismatic energy Missy did 25 years ago" and "She delivers some of the most scorching bars of her career, as she reminds us all how quickly she can switch it up."[7]

Music video

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The official music video was directed by Offset. Set in a hillside, glass-covered mansion,[5][8][9] it begins with Cardi B strutting around the halls in an outfit that pays homage to Lil' Kim in her video for "Came Back for You": a black bikini under a floor-length fur coat,[2][10][11][12] in addition to a jeweled choker with matching earrings[12] and crystal-encrusted eyebrows (a tribute to Missy Elliott).[11][12] In one scene, she is shown with pink eyelashes[12] and in another she lounges on a red sofa by a pool as she eats sushi out of a Yves Saint Laurent bag.[4][7][9] Cardi B later wears a diamond-encrusted bikini[2][9] and chaps,[2] posing for a photo shoot.[9] The visual ends with a message reading, "This is just the beginning...stay tuned".[4][7]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Like What (Freestyle)"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] 88
Global 200 (Billboard)[14] 91
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] 8
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[16] 58
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 38
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] 12

References

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  1. ^ a b Espinoza, Joshua (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Samples Missy Elliott for "Like What" Freestyle and Offset-Directed Video". Complex. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kaplan, Ilana (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Strips Down in Offset-Directed Video for 'Like What (Freestyle)' — Watch!". People. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b Powell, Jon (March 1, 2024). "Fans react to Cardi B's "Like What Freestyle" visual on social media". Revolt. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Pierre, Mekishana (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Drops Offset-Directed Music Video for 'Like What (Freestyle)' With Iconic Missy Elliot Sample". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Returns With 'Like What (Freestyle)' Song and Video". XXL. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  6. ^ Horvath, Zachary (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Finally Returns With Highly-Anticipated "Like What (Freestyle)"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Gonzalez, Alex (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Serves Look After Look In Her Lavish New 'Like What (Freestyle)' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  8. ^ Mendez, Chris Malone (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Samples A Missy Elliott Classic On 'Like What' Freestyle". Forbes. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d Kearns, Sarah (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Shares Offset-Directed Music Video for "Like What" Freestyle". Hypebeast. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  10. ^ Grant, Shawn (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Drops New Video "Like What (Freestyle)" Directed by Offset". The Source. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  11. ^ a b Betancourt, Bianca (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Pays Homage to Hip-Hop Legends in Her "Like What" Music Video". Harpers Bazaar. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d Inman, Demicia (March 1, 2024). "Cardi B Returns With "Like What (Freestyle)" Music Video". Vibe. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Cardi B Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. ^ "Cardi B Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard.
  15. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: March 8th, 2024 - March 14th, 2024". TurnTable. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  17. ^ "Cardi B Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Cardi B Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.