The streets of New York have been abuzz since Sidetalk NYC announced that Bronx royalty Cardi B would be joining Kay Flock and Dougie B for an electric drill collaboration.
On Friday (April 15), the BX trio delivered, marking an important moment for the divisive regional subgenre with their red-hot single “Shake It.” Quickly approaching 2.5 million views on YouTube, “Shake It” is an all-out Bronx drill affair — showcasing the A-List Cardi B shoulder-to-shoulder with the BX’s rising stars — spitting ferocious bars with the same hunger and fire as her younger counterparts.
With full marks for enthusiasm, fans can see the Grammy-winning Cardi dancing and stomping out the opps right alongside DougieB and Bory300 — while joined in spirit by the currently incarcerated 18-year-old drill sensation Kay Flock via a larger-than-life mural set up in the heart of the hood.
Over an energetic drill-flipped sample of Akon’s “Bananza” (prod by Elias Beats), Kay Flock’s unmistakable vocals cut through the busy production for a short-and-sweet verse to set the tone for the Bronx banger. Bory300 holds his own with his own raspy verse before Dougie B commands the chorus with his charismatic flow.
Finally, South-Bronx native Cardi B brings the house down — fully embracing the spirit of her hometown flow as she enthusiastically assumes its distinct cadence, dance moves and even adopting some of its more controversial qualities with bars like, “all of my opps get mixed with the grabba.” She even debuted a new red-bandana-print hairstyle for the occasion — immortalized in the high energy music video (directed by Alex & Tristan Demic and Jochi Saca) and the song’s detailed coverart by Kid Flvsh.
When the news first broke last week on Sidetalk NYC — known for shining a light on Crew League host and viral “Bing Bong” rapper Gorilla Nems — the snippet’s energy alone was enough for the visual to go viral. Teasing behind-the-scenes footage of “Shake It” in SideTalk’s chaotic “on-the-street” format, Cardi makes it crystal clear that the Bronx is up now. Cardi’s husband and 1/3 of the Migos, Offset also chimed in on the track, saying that he loves when his “wifey be on da GanGsta time.”
Overall, “Shake It” appears to be living up to the massive hype built up over the last week. With Cardi fully co-signing the Bronx drill sound, it not only marks an important moment in the history of the subgenre, but will hopefully help Kay Flock and Dougie B to overcome their current struggles — also serving as a launchpad for up-and-coming BX artists like Bory300 to build a career of their own.
Watch the video for Kay Flock’s “Shake It” below feat. Cardi B, Dougie B and Bory300
