Cardi B is running the 2023 MTV VMAs like cardio.

The "I Like It" rapper didn't have a hair out of place when she stepped out onto the red carpet at the Sept. 12 award show wearing a unique strapless dress made of metal hair clips, along with matching lace-up arm warmers with salon accessories.

She and husband Offset—who coordinated with hair clips in his 'do as well—also brought the heat by sharing a sweet kiss ahead of the show. (See all the stars on the red carpet here.)

Cardi—who is nominated for Best Hip-Hip with for "Tomorrow 2"—will take the stage later in the evening to perform with her "WAP" collaborator Megan Thee Stallion on their newest track "Bongos."

In "Bongos," out Sept. 8, the pair sing about being in a league of their own. "This ass sit like the stallion / All these wannabes my lil' ponies," Meg raps. "These hoes camped out in the comments / Always talkin' like they know me." 

It was three years ago that Meg, 28, and Cardi, 30, dropped the star-studded music video for "WAP," which included cameos from Kylie Jenner, Normani and more. They later brought the house down at the 2021 Grammys with a super steamy performance of the NSFW number.

Since then, Cardi has been focusing on family life. In fact, she welcomed her second child Wave Set Cephus with Offset just six months later. "We are so overjoyed to finally meet our son," the couple—who are also parents to daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, 5—told E! News in a statement at the time. "He is already loved so much by family and friends and we can't wait to introduce him to his other siblings."

In addition to the 2023 MTV VMAs, Cardi also recently performed at Drai's Beachclub in Las Vegas—which made headlines in July due to an altercation with an audience member. After a person in the crowd splashed their drink on her, the singer threw her microphone at the attendee.

The following month, Cardi defended herself, telling Stationhead that getting "water and ice get thrown" in her face was "blatantly disrespectful," per ABC News.

Putting the past behind her, she shared that she is continuing to work on her second album, following 2018's Invasion of Privacy.

"Right now, I'm working on the cover art and ideas for the next record because it's definitely coming up," she told Vogue México y Latinoamérica in August. "Everyone always tells me I should put the record out now. They did when I released ‘WAP' [with Megan Thee Stallion] and when I released ‘Up,' but I always let them know I'm not going to wait long after all these singles. So stay tuned because it's coming out very soon."

Before Cardi B takes the stage in New Jersey for the VMAs, keep reading to see all the stars on the red carpet.

In Ludovic de Saint Sernin.

In Oscar De La Renta.

In Ashi Studio dress and Jacob & Co. jewelry.

In Brandon Blackwood.

In Area.

In Schiaparelli.

In Quine Li.