It was written by Mary Brown, Jim Beanz, Devin "DLP" Parker, Danja and Missy Elliott.

[1] Produced by Danja and featuring guest vocals by Elliott,[1] the song was released by Bad Boy Records on July 1, 2008 as the second and final single from the band's second studio album, Welcome to the Dollhouse (2008).

The recording process of "Bad Girl" was featured on the second season of the MTV reality television show, Making the Band 4.

[4][5] These opinions were first voiced during a studio session with Jim Beanz, Aundrea Fimbres stating they wanted a "pop-international [album]".

"[3] Dissatisfaction continued to be expressed as the girls received prospective tracks, with Dawn Richard commenting, "They just don't match us!"

D. Woods helped convey this message, adding that they wanted to "understand [his] vision" and that they "had a different idea" and thought "[he] did too", going in a more uptempo direction.

She followed that the group understood that they would not love everything that they ever did and it would be a "compromise", but none of them have finished a track, wanting to perform it forever as part of their career.

[3] Surprisingly, Diddy apologized for the lack of communication and started taking Danity Kane's opinion into account while creating the album.

[8] The video also includes cameos by featured rapper Missy Elliott, Day26 member Qwanell Mosley, and Talan Torriero of the hit MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.

[8] In the first verse and the first chorus, Aubrey O'Day portrays a con trying to claim her innocence during interrogation with a detective (played by Torriero).

[10] During the second verse through the rap break, Dawn Richard portrays a damsel in distress strapped to an upright gurney in "Dr. Q's Secret Laboratory".

[10] Intermixed between these shots are all of the alter egos of Danity Kane, engaging in hard-hitting choreography, sometimes joined by "The Mighty Missy Elliott".