CJ, Whoopty | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 35^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we highlight “Whoopty” performed by Staten Island rapper, CJ.

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 35^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we dive into “Whoopty”, the one-hit wonder by CJ.

CJ: What a sight to behold.  Have you seen Staten Rapper Christopher Daniel Soriano sans shirt? Dude’s ripped and tatted. He looked the part of a drill rapper through and through.  Of course, being a rap star isn’t about looks.  Many rappers lack the physical physique of CJ, yet pack a punch with their bars.  They have also mustered up hits that match or exceed “Whoopty”.  The keyword is hit, of which Soriano only had one.  “Whoopty,” which appeared on CJ’s 2021 EP, Loyalty Over Royalty, marked the Latino rapper’s only charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 (it peaked at number 10).  Interestingly, despite the popularity of this hard-nosed single, CJ was widely criticized.  In an article for Pitchfork, Alphonse Pierre described CJ as nothing but a shameless ripoff, adding that “He doesn’t have anything to say or know a fresh way to say it.” Notably, he was accused of being an industry plant.

Regardless of the criticism, CJ had his moment with “Whoopty.” Beyond reaching the top 10 on the pop charts, the song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.  That is impressive! Pxcoyo produced the track, which sampled Mithoon and Arijit Singh (“Sanam Re”) and Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments (MEXFEMALE5). The sound is drill through and through, with the distinct bass, drum programming, and an aggressive, unapologetic delivery by CJ. Following an edgy, self-assured intro (“Loyalty over royalty, y’all niggas know the vibes”), he drops a lengthy chorus.  In the chorus, CJ admits to being “addicted to blue cheese” ($100 bills), asserts, “She just swallowed all my kids in the two seat,” but, “I won’t take her to Ruth’s Chris (And my shooters, they shootin’), damn.” K… Beyond the hook, he drops one verse and a bridge.  He brags, “I got all this water on me like FIJI.” Rappers love their jewelry.  Of course, he also references gangs, smoking weed, and again, shooters (“Then I’m uppin’ the chopper / I’m hittin’ the cha-cha, open his lata / Then he dancin’ bachata”). Does CJ say much? Nope, but there have been many a dumb rap bangers, and it was his time, I suppose. Ultimately, he never rekindled the magic or commercial success of “Whoopty” (“BOP” didn’t chart).  Until the day comes when he charts another significant pop hit, CJ will remain the bearer of the title, one-hit wonder.

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CJ » Loyalty Over Royalty » Warner » 2021

CJ, Whoopty: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 35 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Warner; Antoni Shkraba, KoolShooters, Pavel Danilyuk, Photo By: Kaboompics.com, RDNE Stock project from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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