The True Story Behind 'These Is Red Bottoms These Is Bloody Shoes' And Cardi B's $1M Fashion Legacy
The phrase "These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes" is more than just a catchy rap lyric; it is arguably the single most important line in Cardi B's career, the one that launched her from reality television personality to a global, diamond-certified music and fashion icon. As of late 2025, this line from her breakout 2017 single, "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)," continues to define her journey, representing a powerful, aspirational narrative of self-made success and luxury status.
The cultural impact of this single line is immense, cementing the Christian Louboutin shoe as the ultimate symbol of arrival in the rap world and simultaneously shattering glass ceilings for female rappers. The story of the "red bottoms" is a deep dive into fashion, finance, and the fearless spirit of Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar.
Cardi B: A Brief Biography and Profile
Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar (Cardi B) is an American rapper, songwriter, and actress known for her aggressive flow and candid lyrics. Her rise to fame is a modern rags-to-riches story, transitioning from a stripper in the Bronx to a social media personality, reality television star, and eventually, a Grammy-winning artist.
- Full Name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar
- Date of Birth: October 11, 1992
- Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Dominican and Trinidadian
- Breakthrough Single: "Bodak Yellow" (2017)
- Major Achievements: Grammy Award for Best Rap Album (Invasion of Privacy), first female rapper with multiple Diamond-certified singles (including "Bodak Yellow"), ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award (2024).
- Notable Collaborations: Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Megan Thee Stallion, Bruno Mars.
- Key Stylist: Kollin Carter
Deconstructing the Iconic "Red Bottoms, Bloody Shoes" Lyric
The line "These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes" is a masterclass in braggadocio, confidence, and aspirational luxury. It appears in the first verse of "Bodak Yellow" and instantly became the song's most quotable and memorable moment.
The Christian Louboutin Reference
The term "red bottoms" is a direct and unmistakable reference to the iconic footwear created by French designer Christian Louboutin. The distinctive scarlet-red lacquered soles are a protected trademark and a universal symbol of high-end, unattainable luxury. Cardi B’s lyric instantly democratized this symbol, bringing it directly into the mainstream hip-hop conversation.
The Meaning of "Bloody Shoes"
The phrase "bloody shoes" is a clever, multi-layered piece of wordplay. It serves two primary functions:
- Literal Description: The color of the Louboutin sole is a deep, vivid red—a shade often associated with blood.
- Symbol of Hardship and Hustle: More profoundly, the term alludes to the pain, sacrifice, and "bloody" struggle Cardi B endured on her journey to success. The shoes are a trophy, a visible manifestation of the "money moves" she had to make, from her days as a stripper to her time on reality TV, a narrative she frequently discusses. The lyric is a triumphant declaration that the pain was worth the price of the luxury.
The Kodak Black Connection
The very foundation of "Bodak Yellow" is rooted in inspiration from another artist. The song's title and its distinctive rhyming cadence—known as the "flow"—are a direct tribute to rapper Kodak Black, specifically his 2014 track "No Flockin." Cardi B named her song "Bodak Yellow" as a play on "Kodak Black," borrowing the rhythmic structure and making it her own. This connection is vital to understanding the song’s authenticity and its grounding in the hip-hop landscape.
The Shocking 217% Fashion and Cultural Impact
The effect of the "red bottoms" lyric on the fashion industry was immediate, measurable, and stunning. It was a marketing phenomenon that no amount of traditional advertising could buy.
The Louboutin Search Spike
Following the release and meteoric rise of "Bodak Yellow," search traffic for the brand Christian Louboutin experienced an astonishing 217% spike. This single line of music cemented the French luxury brand’s status in pop culture for a new generation, particularly within the influential hip-hop and urban fashion markets. The lyric didn't just mention a brand; it created a viral, worldwide demand for the item as a must-have status symbol.
The Designer’s Appreciation
In an unexpected twist, Christian Louboutin himself publicly weighed in on the mention. The designer expressed his appreciation for the shout-out, acknowledging the cultural moment Cardi B had created. Her stylist, Kollin Carter, further clarified that Cardi B's love for the luxury shoe was genuine, noting she wore the "red bottoms" as a status symbol even before the song made her famous. This authenticity is what made the lyric resonate so deeply with listeners.
The Diamond Legacy: Cardi B's 2025 Influence on Female Rap and Fashion
The true power of the "red bottoms" lyric lies in its lasting legacy, which continues to be felt in 2025. The song is not just a hit; it is a historical marker in the evolution of female hip-hop.
The Diamond-Certified Milestone
"Bodak Yellow" achieved the coveted Diamond certification from the RIAA, making Cardi B the first female rapper to have a solo single reach this monumental status. This achievement, alongside her 2024 recognition with the ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award, solidifies the song's place in music history and validates the success declared in its famous line.
The Empowerment of Female Rap
Perhaps the most significant long-term impact is on the music industry itself. Cardi B has frequently credited "Bodak Yellow" with fundamentally changing how record labels view and invest in female rap artists. She believes the song's massive, undeniable success proved that women in Hip Hop were "the money makers" and prompted labels to start paying more attention and putting more effort into signing and promoting female MCs. This shift has led to the current, thriving landscape of women dominating the charts.
Cardi B as a 2025 Fashion Icon
The "red bottoms" lyric was the genesis of Cardi B's powerful relationship with high fashion. Today, she is a fixture at major events like Paris Fashion Week, frequently commanding global attention with daring, couture aesthetics styled by Kollin Carter. Her appearances—such as wearing a dramatic Schiaparelli sculptural fringe dress from the brand's Spring 2024 couture collection—show a seamless transition from rapping about luxury to becoming a muse for it. The "bloody shoes" were the first step; now, her influence extends across every major luxury brand, proving the aspirational promise of her breakout lyric was fully realized.
The phrase "These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes" will forever be synonymous with Cardi B’s unstoppable rise. It is a testament to the power of a single, highly specific, and deeply personal lyric to transcend music, redefine luxury, and permanently alter the trajectory of an entire genre.
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