Pick It Up (Cardi B song)

"Pick It Up"
Song by Cardi B featuring Selena Gomez
from the album Am I the Drama?
ReleasedSeptember 19, 2025 (2025-09-19)
GenreR&B
Length2:40
LabelAtlantic
Songwriters
ProducerDJ Hardwerk
Audio video
"Pick It Up" on YouTube

"Pick It Up" is a song by American rapper Cardi B featuring American singer Selena Gomez. Released on September 19, 2025, through Atlantic Records, it is the fourth track on Cardi B's second studio album, Am I the Drama? (2025). It was written by Cardi B, Hadar Adora, Jordan Thorpe, Lewis Shoates, Roosevelt Jean, and its producer Philip "DJ Hardwerk" Constable.

Background

Cardi B first collaborated with Selena Gomez on the 2018 hit single "Taki Taki", which they performed together at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[1] On September 15, 2025, the rapper shared the list of features on her second studio album Am I the Drama?, which included Gomez.[2] Their collaboration was revealed to be titled "Pick It Up" in the album tracklist reveal on September 18.[3] In a CBS Mornings interview, Cardi B expressed that she chose to work again with Gomez for "Pick It Up" because "she sounded really lovely for this song" and called her a "delight to work with". The rapper added that despite being "a whole billionaire", Gomez always provided her support and "if you call her for something, she’s not going to hesitate".[4]

Music and lyrics

"Pick It Up" has been described as a "sensual" track with themes of "longing, desire, and love that doesn’t fade".[5] In the song, Cardi B and Selena Gomez beg a prospective lover to return to where they left off and come back for more. With its "catchy melodies, some whimsical tones, and an airy atmosphere", the song is a tranquil change of pace on the album.[6] An R&B-leaning pop track,[7] the beat combines rap drum patterns and pop-like synths to create a hybrid that fits both artists.[8]

Gomez opens the love song with a confession that "I'm so obsessed, you got me checkin’ my phone / Every second like, I hope you ask if I’m home."[9] She gets more impatient as she waits for any signal that the relationship isn't done.[5] Cardi B then shows off her singing skills by sharing the chorus with Gomez.[6] They sing the hook "Pick it up where we left off / can't give it up, I've been missin' ya", exploring the tension of being stuck on an irresistible yet stagnant connection. Cardi then raps a confident, sharp-tongued verse, though her punchlines eventually soften as she admits her lover has an incomparable hold on her, saying "And I still ain't find nobody who do it like you."[5]

Critical reception

"Pick It Up" received generally positive reception from critics, who named it one of the best tracks on Am I the Drama?. Writing for Vibe, Armon Sandler ranked it the second-best song on the album, saying it has "radio hit, playlist monster, and TikTok virality written all over it."[8] Robin Murray of Clash called it an "immediate highlight" for its "vibrancy" and the "dazzling light of their vocals honing in on femme effervescence."[10] Billboard staff ranked it as the fifth-best track on the album, praising Cardi B's versatility. They questioned why it wasn't one of the lead singles and hoped for a music video as it "feels like it should be playing on TRL and 106 & Park after school."[7]

Credits and personnel

Credits were adapted from Tidal.[11]

Musicians

  • Cardi B – vocals, songwriter
  • Selena Gomez – featured vocals
  • Philip "DJ Hardwerk" Constable – producer, songwriter
  • Hadar Adora – songwriter, background vocals
  • Jordan Thorpe – songwriter
  • Lewis Shoates – songwriter
  • Roosevelt Jean – songwriter
  • Darrale Jones – executive producer
  • Jonathan "Brooklyn Johnny" Descartes – executive producer

Technical

Charts

Chart performance for "Pick It Up"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Global 200 (Billboard)[12] 157
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] 17
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 45

References

  1. ^ Nyren, Erin (April 13, 2019). "Selena Gomez Joins Cardi B on Stage at Coachella for Surprise Performance". Variety. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  2. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (September 15, 2025). "Cardi B Enlists Janet Jackson, Selena Gomez, Lizzo for Sophomore Album 'Am I the Drama?'". Variety. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  3. ^ Saponara, Miguel (September 18, 2025). "Cardi B Reveals 'Am I the Drama?' Tracklist Featuring Janet Jackson, Selena Gomez & Summer Walker". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  4. ^ Dailey, Hannah (September 19, 2025). "Cardi B Says Selena Gomez Always 'Comes Through,' Even Though 'She's a Whole Billionaire'". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Cubit, Brea (September 19, 2025). "Selena Gomez and Cardi B's 'Pick It Up' Lyrics Are Obsessive and Steamy". Elle. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Bras Nevares, Gabriel (September 21, 2025). "Cardi B & Selena Gomez "Pick It Up" With Flair On New Album "Am I The Drama?"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie; Diaz, Angel (September 19, 2025). "Cardi B's 'Am I the Drama?': All 23 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Sandler, Armon (September 19, 2025). "The 8 Best Songs On Cardi B's 'Am I The Drama?'". Vibe. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  9. ^ Andrea, Dresdale (September 19, 2025). "Hear Selena Gomez reteam with Cardi B on new song 'Pick It Up'". ABC News. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  10. ^ Murray, Robin (September 19, 2025). "Cardi B – Am I The Drama? | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  11. ^ Am I the Drama? / Cardi B / Credits, Atlantic Records, September 19, 2025, retrieved September 19, 2025 – via Tidal
  12. ^ "Cardi B Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  13. ^ "Official Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. September 26, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  14. ^ "Cardi B Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2025.


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