Have you ever found yourself randomly singing “chicken noodle soup, chicken noodle soup chicken noodle soup with a soda on the side”? You’re definitely not alone! This catchy tune has actually had multiple lives across different generations and cultures. I’m gonna break down everything about who actually sings the famous “Chicken Noodle Soup” song – from its Harlem origins to its global K-pop revival.
The Original “Chicken Noodle Soup” – Harlem Roots
Back in 2006, a infectious dance track called “Chicken Noodle Soup” first hit the scene, created by:
- DJ Webstar (real name: Troy Ryan)
- Young B (real name: Bianca Bonnie Dupree)
- The Voice of Harlem (AG)
What many people don’t realize is that “Chicken Noodle Soup” was actually a dance in Harlem before it became a song. Bianca Bonnie (who went by Young B at the time) was just a 14-year-old high schooler when she teamed up with DJ Webstar to create this viral sensation
According to Bianca, she used to write songs for popular dances that were already happening in Harlem. In an interview with Billboard, she explained: “It could be the Harlem Shake, and I would write a Harlem Shake-themed song.”
Interestingly, Bianca wrote the track while sitting in detention at school! The song’s catchy phrases like “let it rain, clear it out” were inspired by basketball terms – a nod to where her career began, as many hot Harlem songs were played at public basketball courts like Rucker, Kingdome and Black Gates.
The original track reached #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2006 and became a staple at middle and high school dances across America.
The 2019 Revival: J-Hope and Becky G
Fast forward to 2019, and “Chicken Noodle Soup” got a massive international makeover when:
- J-Hope (from the K-pop group BTS)
- Becky G (American singer with Mexican heritage)
released their trilingual remake on September 27, 2019.
J-Hope has actually shared that the original “Chicken Noodle Soup” had special meaning to him because he often listened to it when first learning to dance. He initially wanted to include his version on his 2018 mixtape “Hope World,” but the collaboration didn’t work out at that time.
After meeting Becky G at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards in May, the two finally made it happen. Their version features lyrics in Korean, English, and Spanish, focusing on themes of identity and paying respect to one’s roots.
The music video was shot in Los Angeles with over 50 dancers of different nationalities, and it incorporates some of the original dance moves along with new choreography. Within days, J-Hope launched the #CNSChallenge on TikTok, encouraging fans to try the choreography themselves.
Commercial Success of Both Versions
The original “Chicken Noodle Soup” by DJ Webstar and Young B:
- Peaked at #45 on Billboard Hot 100 (2006)
- Gained popularity on platforms like YouTube, MySpace and BET’s 106 & Park
- The official video wasn’t released on YouTube until 3 years after the track dropped
The J-Hope and Becky G version:
- Debuted at #81 on Billboard Hot 100 with 9.7 million streams and 11,000 downloads
- J-Hope became the first BTS member to chart on Hot 100 as a solo artist
- He was the third Korean solo artist to rank on the chart (after Psy and CL)
- Debuted at #1 on the World Digital Song Sales chart
- The music video has been viewed over 65 million times
Where Are They Now?
Bianca Bonnie (Young B)
After her early success with “Chicken Noodle Soup,” Bianca Bonnie has continued her music career:
- She went by Young B until 2016, when she released her project “The 9th Year”
- Attended NYU
- Joined the cast of VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: New York” from 2015-2018
- Released an album called “10 Plus” in 2018
- Had a legal battle with her ex-promoter who tried to claim 50% of her earnings from the show
- Headlined for the UNDR RVTD tour in New York in March 2019
- Released a single called “Celebration” with DJ Did in July 2019
When the J-Hope/Becky G remake was released, Bianca received support from artists like Chance The Rapper and Missy Elliott through the #ThankYouBianca hashtag.
In an interview about the remake, Bianca expressed her happiness: “I can’t even really explain what [the gratitude] exactly means, because the song is timeless. I created something that keeps reinventing itself and keeps me relevant 13 years later, which is amazing to me.”
She also stated she’s working on new music for 2020 and hinted at reuniting with DJ Webstar for a special project “for the dance culture.”
DJ Webstar
Troy Ryan (DJ Webstar) hasn’t been as active in music recently. His discography includes three albums:
- “Webstar Presents: Caught in the Web” (2006)
- “Uptown Harlem” (2008)
- “The Rooftop” (2009)
He did express enthusiasm for the J-Hope/Becky G remake on social media when it was released.
J-Hope
As a member of BTS, J-Hope has continued to be extremely successful, releasing:
- His mixtape “Hope World”
- Solo tracks like “More” (2022)
- “On the Street”
- Numerous hits with BTS
Becky G
Becky G has maintained her successful music career with hits like:
- “Mayores”
- “Sin Pijama”
- Albums including “Mala Santa” (2019) and “Esquemas”
Cultural Impact and Controversy
When the J-Hope/Becky G remake was released, some voices in the community expressed concerns about cultural appropriation. However, Bianca Bonnie herself defended the remake:
“I’m a black woman, and it’s a real thing that we have to work harder and overcome more obstacles, and [some fans] feel like people just come in and take what we created,” she explained to Billboard. “I feel like ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ was always an international record. People of all cultures know the song, and it’s always been that way… [J-Hope and Becky G] made it even bigger for this day and age. I’m very open-minded and I feel like [the remake] is good for the culture. It was created in Harlem, and now it’s a worldwide thing.”
Why “Chicken Noodle Soup” Endures
There’s something special about “Chicken Noodle Soup” that has allowed it to transcend time, geography, and language barriers. I think it’s because:
- The dance moves are simple enough for anyone to try
- The catchy hook is impossible to forget
- It represents authentic cultural expression
- It brings joy – pure and simple
From a detention room in Harlem to international stages, “Chicken Noodle Soup” has proven itself to be more than just a song – it’s a cultural phenomenon that continues to evolve.
So next time you find yourself humming “chicken noodle soup with a soda on the side,” remember you’re participating in a piece of music history that spans generations and continents!
The “Chicken Noodle Soup” song has been sung by multiple artists across different eras:
- Originally by Young B (Bianca Bonnie) and DJ Webstar in 2006
- Remade by J-Hope of BTS and Becky G in 2019
Both versions have made significant cultural impacts, with the song evolving from a local Harlem dance craze to an international, multilingual phenomenon. The story of “Chicken Noodle Soup” demonstrates how music can bridge cultural gaps and how a simple, catchy tune can stand the test of time.
Whether you prefer the original Harlem version or the K-pop/Latin fusion remake, one thing’s for sure – this song isn’t going away anytime soon!
City High, ‘What Would You Do?’
Pop songs that functioned explicitly as morality plays were few and far between by the time this New Jersey trio released “What Would You Do?” in 2001, which made it stick out in the crowded post-Y2K pop landscape. The Wyclef Jean-produced track tells the story of a run-in with a stripper on hard times, and it can get a bit didactic — “Girl, you ain’t the only one with a baby/ That’s no excuse to be livin’ all crazy,” one verse exclaims. But its pleading chorus gave it radio-ready appeal, and it peaked at Number 8 on the Hot 100 in May 2001.
Lil Romeo, ‘My Baby’
Romeo “Lil Romeo” Miller’s father is No Limit Records founder Master P, and he signed to his dad’s label for his debut album. The No Limit heir had a lot of resources for his debut single, as evidenced by the way it flipped the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” into a celebration of Romeo himself. Putting his not-yet-teenaged voice front and center, the ebullient “My Baby,” which reached Number Three on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 2001, was the ultimate playground boast — not only because of its pricey sample, but because of the way he name-dropped his uncles Silkk the Shocker and C-Murder, shouted out his basketball skills, and spent much of the song dodging the romantic intentions of a determined young woman.
Webstar, Young B – Chicken Noodle Soup ft. AG aka The Voice of Harlem
FAQ
Who originally sang “Chicken noodle soup”?
“Chicken Noodle Soup” is a song by American disc jockey DJ Webstar and rapper Young B. The song was released on September 12, 2006 as the lead single promoting Webstar’s 2006 debut album Caught in the Web.
Who is the girl from chicken noodle soup?
Bianca Dupree, also known as Bianca Bonnie and formerly Young B, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and television personality.
Is chicken noodle soup a BTS song?
“Chicken Noodle Soup” is a song by South Korean rapper J-Hope of BTS featuring American singer Becky G. It was released through Big Hit Entertainment on September 27, 2019.