“South of the Border” is the second track on the 2019 album ‘No.6 Collaborations Project’ by Ed Sheeran. The song features vocals by Camila Cabello and rapper Cardi B.
‘No.6 Collaborations Project‘ follows Ed’s collaborations EP series, left off at #5 in 2011. The 2019 album contains a massive list of collaborations from Eminem, 50 Cent, Bruno Mars, Skrillex, Khalid, Travis Scott, Stormzy, Justin Bieber, Meek Mill and more. In an interview with Charmalagne Tha God, Ed Sheeran called this album a ‘compilation of artist that he is a fan of.’
“South of the Border” sings about this amazing “brown eyes” and “caramel thighs” girl Ed meets at a bar. They hit it off quite strongly and he is willing to cross the border to be with her. Theoretically, Ed is talking about a Mexican girl, as Mexico lies to the South of the USA. Coincidentally enough, the collaborator Camila Cabello is from Cuba, which is also further South of the USA.
Listen to the song below.
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The entire song has a sensual undertone to it, where Ed, Camila and Cardi B boast about what they find attractive in each other. Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello act as the two lead roles in the story. Ed Sheeran describes her as a girl with “brown eyes,” “caramel thighs,” “long hair” and most importantly “no wedding ring.” Camila describes the guy as “green eyes.” However, Ed’s eyes are blue in real life.
Cardi B’s third verse on “South of the Border” drops some interesting views on love. She talks about risking what you have for greater gain and that is the way to live. She might be talking about her career move from being a stripper to being one of the most dominant artists in rap today. However, this lesson applies to love as well. Cardi B also mocks Ed Sheeran saying he might have “jungle fever.” This phrase is slang for a white person to have a sexual appetite for black or exotic women. Finally, she also claps back at herself for being the best version of herself–she is a mother of a baby, has a massive musical career going on, has a love life with Offset, and she never gives up on any of it. #SLAY
The album released on July 12, 2019.
Let us hear what you think about this song and the album in general, in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics to the track below.