Cardi B’s appearance on Saturday Night Live was a complete performance moment that highlighted both her range and her roots. She performed two songs, “Bodega Baddie” and “ErrTime,” bringing distinct energy to each while staying grounded in the culture that shapes her music.
While both performances were strong, “Bodega Baddie” stood out for its intentional use of live merengue típico musicians, placing Dominican sound at the center of a mainstream stage.
For Bodega Baddie, Cardi brought out El Prodigio, a leading figure in merengue típico known for his accordion work and dedication to the genre. Although often referenced as a solo artist, El Prodigio performs with a full group of musicians, all of whom contributed live traditional instrumentation during the performance.
This choice moved the song beyond studio production. By using live musicians instead of samples, Cardi made the Dominican roots of the track visible and unmistakable.
Bodega Baddie draws from Bronx life and Caribbean influence, reflecting the environments that shaped Cardi’s identity. Performing it live with merengue típico musicians reinforced those connections and highlighted the cultural lineage behind the sound.
Cardi has consistently expressed her respect for traditional Dominican music, and this performance reflected that commitment. Bringing merengue típico to SNL wasn’t about novelty. It was about acknowledgment and representation.
Her styling and stage presence supported the performance without overshadowing it. The look matched the confidence and cultural grounding of the music, allowing the focus to remain on the sound and the moment as a whole.
Taken together, Cardi B’s Saturday Night Live set showed how an artist can use a major platform without disconnecting from their roots. By performing both “ErrTime” and “Bodega Baddie,” and by centering live Dominican musicianship, Cardi delivered a performance rooted in intention, culture, and authenticity.
