The Cardi B single nominated for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance at the 2018 Grammys was “Bodak Yellow.”
Released in 2017, “Bodak Yellow” became Cardi B’s breakthrough hit and her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. Its title and flow were inspired partly by Kodak Black’s song “No Flockin,” while Cardi reshaped the concept around her own rise from reality-TV personality and former stripper to major rap star.
The song’s two Grammy nominations reflected different award criteria. Best Rap Performance recognized the recording’s overall delivery and impact, while Best Rap Song honored the songwriters and composition. “Bodak Yellow” did not win either category at the 60th Grammy Awards; Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” won both.
A common mix-up is the year: the nominations were announced and awarded in 2018, but the single itself was released in 2017. Cardi later earned her first Grammy win for Best Rap Album with Invasion of Privacy in 2019.