Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion announced "Bongos" on September 4, sharing its cover artwork and release date on social media.

Variety's Thania Garcia remarked that the song has "Latin-infused beats" on which the pair "spit their verses over a twerk-worthy bassline".

[9] In an interview for iHeartRadio, Cardi B explained that her first intention was to film the video outside the United States, but the Atlantic hurricane season forced the project to be shot in Malibu.

[14] On September 12, 2023, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion performed "Bongos" for the first time at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

[15] Justin Curto of Vulture praised the performance as a highlight of the night,[16] whereas Pitchfork's Madison Bloom described it as "boring" and less memorable than the pair's first collaboration "WAP".