Pick It Up (Cardi B song)
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| "Pick It Up" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Cardi B featuring Selena Gomez | |
| from the album Am I the Drama? | |
| Released | September 19, 2025 |
| Genre | R&B |
| Length | 2:40 |
| Label | Atlantic |
| Songwriters |
|
| Producer | DJ 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.
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]
