Cash Shit
"Cash Shit" is a hip hop song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, featuring vocals from fellow rapper DaBaby.[1] Released on May 17, 2019, it appears as the fourth track and third single from her first major-label mixtape Fever.[1] Produced by LilJuMadeDaBeat, the song features trap-influenced production with heavy bass and 808 drums, underscoring its energetic and boastful tone.[2][3] The lyrics center on themes of financial independence, luxury spending, and female empowerment, with Megan Thee Stallion rapping lines like "Yeah, I'm in my bag, but I'm in his too" to highlight her confidence and success in relationships and career.[4] DaBaby contributes a verse emphasizing wealth and street credibility, adding to the track's braggadocious vibe.[5] Commercially, "Cash Shit" peaked at number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (chart dated September 21, 2019), marking one of Megan Thee Stallion's early breakthrough hits.[6] It has since been certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and streaming equivalents exceeding 4 million units as of September 2023.[7] The song gained cultural significance for popularizing the phrase "hot girl summer," a term Megan Thee Stallion used to describe a mindset of self-assurance and enjoyment during the warmer months, which she later expanded into a standalone single in 2019.[4] Although no official music video was released, the track received widespread promotion through live performances, including at Billboard's Women in Music event in December 2019, and fan-created dance videos that amplified its viral appeal on social media.[8] Critically, it was praised for Megan's commanding delivery and the chemistry with DaBaby, contributing to Fever's positive reception as a showcase of her rising star power in hip hop.[3]Background and recording
Development
The development of "Cash Shit" stemmed from Megan Thee Stallion's rising prominence in the Southern rap scene during her early career, where she sought to craft music that amplified her unapologetic persona. In early 2019, while preparing her debut commercial mixtape Fever, Megan conceptualized the track as an anthem for financial independence, weaving in her signature "hot girl" ethos of confidence, luxury, and self-empowerment. This approach reflected her intent to portray a woman who demands respect and control in relationships and finances, aligning with the mixtape's overall theme of bold, celebratory Southern hip-hop.[9] Both artists were breakout stars in 2019 and part of the 2019 XXL Freshman class. As fellow Southern rappers on parallel ascents—Megan from Houston and DaBaby from Charlotte—their stylistic synergy made the collaboration a natural fit for "Cash Shit," emphasizing boastful flows about wealth and hustle. This partnership was solidified during the mixtape's creation, marking their first joint effort.[10] Initial recording sessions for the track occurred in Houston, Texas, at the 1501 Compound studio, where Megan penned her verses with a focus on empowerment narratives, such as asserting financial autonomy and rejecting complacency. These sessions captured the raw, energetic vibe central to Fever, produced amid a creative environment that fostered Megan's lyrical growth.[9][11]Production
The production of "Cash Shit" was led by Dallas-based producer LilJuMadeDaBeat, who crafted the track's booming trap beat—featuring heavy bass and rapid hi-hats—in a single session tailored to complement Megan Thee Stallion's energetic style. LilJuMadeDaBeat created the beat in approximately five minutes at the 1501 Compound in Houston, at Megan's request for a no-melody trap beat. Megan recorded her vocals over the next 1 to 1.5 hours, while DaBaby recorded his verse separately.[11][12] The mixtape was released by 300 Entertainment.[13] DaBaby's contribution incorporates triplet flows for rhythmic intensity, and ad-libs such as Megan's recurring "real hot girl shit" were layered in during the final editing stages to enhance the track's playful, assertive vibe.[14][5]Release and promotion
Single release
"Cash Shit" was released on May 17, 2019, as the third single from Megan Thee Stallion's debut commercial mixtape Fever. The track, featuring DaBaby, was issued by 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified Entertainment in digital download and streaming formats on platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.[5][15][16] Running 3:12 in length, "Cash Shit" serves as the fourth track on the Fever mixtape, which was fully released the same day.[17] The single's launch included an initial radio airplay promotion targeting urban contemporary stations shortly after its digital debut.[18] Promotional tie-ins accompanied the release to boost visibility, as explored in the marketing efforts section.Marketing efforts
Megan Thee Stallion initiated marketing for "Cash Shit" with social media activity in early May 2019 to generate buzz among her growing fanbase known as the Hotties. These efforts were part of the broader rollout for her debut commercial mixtape Fever, released on May 17, 2019, via 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified Entertainment, with "Cash Shit" positioned as a flagship track alongside the titular "Hot Girl Summer" to embody the project's theme of bold, unapologetic femininity. Promotion included revealing the tracklist and steamy cover art inspired by blaxploitation films on May 14, 2019, which Megan Thee Stallion shared across her platforms to amplify anticipation.[19][20] The single received further promotion through live performances later in 2019, including at the MTV Video Music Awards pre-show on August 26, where she performed "Hot Girl Summer" and "Cash Shit," and a joint appearance with DaBaby at the BET Hip Hop Awards on October 8.[21][22] This strategy extended the song's cultural reach, with plans for expanded merchandise formalized later that summer through trademark filings for phrases like "Hot Girl Summer."[23][24]Music and lyrics
Composition
"Cash Shit" is classified as a hip hop and trap song with prominent Southern rap influences, reflecting the artists' Texas and North Carolina roots, respectively.[25] The track operates at a tempo of 130 beats per minute (BPM) in the key of B minor, contributing to its energetic and driving rhythm suitable for club environments.[26] The song's structure follows a conventional hip hop format, beginning with an intro featuring ad-libs from Megan Thee Stallion, followed by her first verse, a chorus hook centered on the phrase "cash shit," DaBaby's second verse, another chorus, Megan's third verse, and a final chorus that fades out without a distinct outro.[5] This arrangement emphasizes the collaborative dynamic, alternating between the two artists to build momentum through repeated hooks. Instrumentally, the track features a minimalistic production with heavy 808 bass lines providing a booming foundation, crisp snares for rhythmic punch, and rumbling synthesizers that create a sparse yet club-ready sound.[27][28] The simplicity of the beat allows the vocals to take center stage while maintaining a trap aesthetic. Vocally, Megan Thee Stallion delivers her verses with a confident, escalating flow incorporating internal rhymes for added complexity and swagger.[29] In contrast, DaBaby's verse employs rapid triplet rhythms and precise pauses, offering a dynamic counterpoint to Megan's style and heightening the track's intensity.[14]Lyrical themes
The lyrics of "Cash Shit" center on themes of financial empowerment, female independence, and materialism, with Megan Thee Stallion asserting control over her wealth and relationships through lines like "Yeah, I'm in my bag, but I'm in his too," which encapsulates a "capitalist-feminism" ethos blending economic self-reliance with romantic dominance.[5][27] This motif critiques exploitative dynamics by flipping traditional power imbalances, as Megan demands financial tributes such as "Told him go put my name on that account" and portrays dating her as "very expensive," emphasizing strategic autonomy over vulnerability.[5][30] Megan's verses highlight luxury and self-reliance, referencing high-end brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci to symbolize success, while DaBaby's contribution adds a playful boast about his own wealth, rapping "My money thicker than Megan," which complements the song's focus on affluence without overshadowing her narrative.[5] These elements draw from Southern rap traditions of bravado and unapologetic swagger, evident in the track's confident delivery and collaboration with DaBaby, a Charlotte-based artist known for similar energetic flows.[5] The song's wordplay reinforces its motifs, with puns on "cash" intertwining monetary gain and relational possession—such as "bag" denoting both financial focus and personal style—while slang like "real hot girl shit" introduces Megan's persona, which promotes body positivity through celebratory self-expression and hustle culture via endorsements of ambition and resilience.[5][31] This persona underscores the lyrics' cultural significance in empowering women to embrace sexuality and economic drive as intertwined strengths.[30]Critical reception
Reviews from critics
Upon its release in May 2019 as part of Megan Thee Stallion's mixtape Fever, "Cash Shit" featuring DaBaby received widespread praise from critics for its bold energy and the rappers' synergistic performances. In a review of the mixtape, The Fader described the track as a refined example of Megan's "Hot Girl" archetype, noting its enhanced mantra and production quality alongside cuts like "Pimpin" and "Sex Talk," while affirming the project as a "confident bid for album of the summer" that solidified her dominance in the rap landscape.[32] Similarly, DJBooth lauded the song's controlled intensity, highlighting Megan's clear and directive vocal delivery that kept listeners engaged with every line, complemented by DaBaby's matching thumping energy, deeming it "real Hot Girl shit."[33] Critics also commended the track's club-ready appeal and the artists' rising prominence. Tiny Mix Tapes called "Cash Shit" "downright nasty," showcasing both rappers at the top of their game with Megan's disapproving sneers and DaBaby's concise verse elevating the mixtape's extroverted dynamism.[34] Uproxx emphasized the spare, bass-heavy production and the pairing of two 2019 breakout stars, positioning the collaboration as a key highlight that exemplified Megan's commanding presence.[35] HotNewHipHop previewed the song positively, praising the fitting juxtaposition of the two artists' styles in under 30 seconds, which effectively amplified anticipation for further joint work.[36] While largely acclaimed, some reviews pointed to minor flaws in structure amid the high praise for performances. For instance, Spectrum Pulse noted that tracks including "Cash Shit" suffered from a lack of melodic variation, with minimal tune behind the beats, though this did not detract from the overall bold execution.[37] On Metacritic, Fever aggregated a score of 81 out of 100 based on nine reviews, indicating universal acclaim, with "Cash Shit" frequently cited as a standout for its infectious trap energy and the rappers' vocal prowess.[38]Rankings and accolades
"Cash Shit" received significant recognition in several year-end lists for 2019. It was ranked number 30 on Billboard's staff list of the 100 Best Songs of 2019. The track also placed at number 12 on Pitchfork's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2019, praised as a joint thesis statement from two breakout rap stars.[39][40] The song contributed to the critical acclaim of Megan Thee Stallion's mixtape Fever, which won the BET Hip Hop Award for Best Mixtape in 2019. "Cash Shit" itself earned a nomination for Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year at the 2019 Soul Train Awards.[41] In the long term, "Cash Shit" has been highlighted as a pivotal element in Megan Thee Stallion's breakthrough narrative, establishing her as a major force in hip-hop without receiving major Grammy nominations for the track itself, though it helped elevate her profile leading to Grammy wins in 2021 for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song on "Savage (Remix)" with Beyoncé. The song appeared in retrospective "best of the 2010s hip-hop" compilations, including Acclaimed Music's aggregation ranking it among the decade's notable releases.[25]Commercial performance
Chart positions
"Cash Shit" experienced notable success on American music charts following its release in May 2019, marking an early breakthrough for Megan Thee Stallion. The track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 98 during the week of July 6, 2019, before climbing to its peak position of number 36 for the week ending September 14, 2019, and remaining on the chart for a total of 20 weeks.[6] This performance underscored the song's growing popularity through streaming and radio airplay. On genre-specific charts, "Cash Shit" reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the week ending September 21, 2019.[42] It also performed strongly on radio, peaking at number 3 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart during the week of November 16, 2019, after 19 weeks on the tally.[43] Internationally, the song saw limited charting success. It entered the Canadian Hot 100 at number 75, reflecting modest uptake outside the US. The track's enduring appeal is evident in its streaming metrics, which have sustained its visibility years after release. As of November 2025, the official audio video on YouTube has exceeded 135 million views.[44] On Spotify, it has amassed over 291 million global streams, contributing to its long-term cultural impact.[45]| Chart (2019) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 36 | 20 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 16 | 12 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay | 3 | 19 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 75 | - |