Recording artist, rapper, and singer, Doja Cat has been the source of major headlines since the beginning of her career in 2013. From SoundCloud artist to Grammy award winner, her music has transformed and become source of multiple pop culture phenomenons. Her albums from 2018 to today have broken records, topped charts, and won her multiple accolades.
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The 2014 release of "So High", which was heavily R&B-influenced, initially launched her career within the Hip Hop space where it turned certified platinum & gold in both the US & Brazil. The next four years were the bridge between indie artist & pop star, with the release of "Tia Tamera (feat. Rico Nasty)", "Mooo!", and her hit album "Hot Pink". The pandemic and most prominently, TikTok, supported its success, specifically with the track "Say So", which was notorious for its commercial success on TikTok and worldwide marketing through their popular creators. She collected multiple awards for the album, including "Best New Artist" at the AMA's and Record of the Year, with nominations from Billboard, TEC, and more.
Two years later, the release of "Planet Her", another pop-focused album was released with features from Young Thug, Ariana Grande, SZA, and more current artists. Some of its most popular hits include"Woman", "Need To Know", and "Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)", which snagged a wins from the AMAs, VMA's, and Grammy's.
This year, Doja teased some upcoming new music that would shy away from her previous work within the more feminine, pop-sounding music realm and instead would be leaning towards another side of her craft. Despite the success of her older works, Doja is exploring a more masculine, darker side to her music, and presence within the new album "Scarlet". As compared to her other hit releases, the new release is centered around Hip Hop & Rap sounds as she marks the end of her journey within the pop genre.
The 2023 album "Scarlet" highlights her versatility as an artist where she rediscovers her old sound in a new light. From pop fun, rhythmic R&B beats, to symbolic rap verses, her new work perfectly shows us the ever changing artistry of Doja Cat.
Despite long time fans expressing nothing but excitement for her next drop, others were quick to judge and voice their opinions.
"Nothing matters. Someone is always going to think negatively of us and thats why the way we dress or the way we sing or the way we paint and dance and express doesn't mean fuck-all as long as it makes YOU feel amazing. Opinions are unescapable. Enjoy the time you have here."
- Doja Cat via Twitter
Doja Cat
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Paint The Town Red
With a beginning sample of Dionne Warwick's "Walk On By", the first EP to tease Doja's next album "Paint The Town Red" is an ode to online haters who commented on her inability to rap and poking fun at her previous work. Following its release along with the accompanying music video, they continued their backlash for the inclusion of satanic figures and messaging throughout the entirety of the song. Although many were opposed to this new side to her music, the track continues to lead on the Billboard Hot 100 charts since it's initial release and as per her lyrics, she just 'walks on by'.
Blood Disgusting | John Squires
Demons
The third EP to drop from the album was initially teased via social media, which led to the drop of "Demons", the first rap-based track to drop from the album. Despite the prominent satanic imagery, the song is yet another call out to online trolls and setting herself further apart from her old identity that sprouted from the albums "Hot Pink" and "Planet Her". Within the song, she ties together more masculine and feminine rap as she steps into this more unapologetic character.
Wet Vagina
Doja uses more play on words in her track "Wet Vagina" where she compares her wealth to that of the female reproductive system by comparing that of which to money, physical wealth, surgery, and more. She even calls out the current feuds within the music industry that she steers clear from as she prefers to be a spectator. Despite involving herself in public controversies, she remains confident in herself and with who she shows up as.
F**k The Girls (FTG)
"F**k The Girls (FTG)" is yet track that touches on a more satanic symbolism and calling out those who are against her in any way. Although it clearly states the feud between her and other females within the lyrics, she does so with the intention of calling out misogyny in the false narrative that women within the music scene are constantly fighting.
Ouchies
The short but sweet track of "Ouchies" refers to Doja having a direct altercation with a hater of hers. From references of 'round 1, round 2, and round 3' to calling her opponent Mike Tyson, she even ends the track by verbally threatening them.
97
We receive more originality & authenticity within "97" where Doja feels free as both the artist we see and the person she is behind closed doors. She even pokes fun at 'PETA' as the two had a previous feud over her single "Mooo!" and gives us a glimpse as to why the theme for the album and her cover art resemble her coated in red paint. The continuous theme of calling out public haters is consistent in the track as she thanks them for their engagement, thus awarding her with more fame.
Gun
Another teaser into Doja's current relationship where she delves into endeavors with her partner. In previous albums, she hadn't spoken specifically on relationship or personal life as she prefers to steer clear of letting the world in, however, "Gun" contains all of the expression infatuation, love, and obsession with a current partner.
Go Off
A confidence-struken song to add onto the list where Doja feels a newfound freedom in her new music and voice. From fending off people who look or talk down to her to those who go out of their way to enforce their negative comments, she's not going down without a fight.
Shutcho
As Doja claimed a new identity in preparation for "Scarlet", she feels as though this is her alter ego and is experiencing a freedom that comes with it. This mask provides her with a protective shield and gives her the unstoppable force of free will and free speech. With this new identity, she's able to authentically tell a story, personal experiences, and touch on topics that have yet to be told. "Shutcho" touches on recent events, such as her recent Met Gala appearance, relationship, feuds, and more.
Agora Hills
"Agora Hills" is dedicated to Doja's current partner where she outwardly displays all of the love she has for them and does so with utmost confidence. Despite her desire to keep private matters off the table, she explicitly describes the desire for being more public with her current partner, even though it's against her values. She also discusses the understanding the mass that is her fanbase and the criticism that follows where she doesn't want him to experience the same. The song almost seems like a wish or an oath.
Can't Wait
Doja gushes over her partner in yet another track, "Can't Wait" where she feels like her authentic self with him and has never felt happier. Between always wanting to be surrounded by him to pursuing selfish acts for him, we can see how head over heels she is..
Often
As Doja lets us further into her love life with her current partner, she does so unapologetically and with an openness that she hadn't freely expressed before. She exudes a confidence and appreciation for them and does so in more sexual matter rather than a 'lovey-dovey' way, similar to how men have normalized doing so, however, with roles reversed.
Love Life
Straying away from the darker themes of the album, "Love Life" is centered around gratitude, enjoyment, and positivity. Almost each line within the track begins with "I Love" by listing off aspects of life that she enjoys, the mentality that is her current reality in life, and hopes for others to feel the same.
Skulls And Bones
Yet another personable track from the album that discusses the devil and other satanic figures but does so to stoop down to haters' levels and abide by their assumptions that she is 'falling off' or 'connecting with darker or more holy figures'. The idea that she is tantalizing with these symbolic figures alludes to her breaking free of the boundaries set in place from her previous 'good girl' personas. Where fans see her change as satanic or 'devilish', she pokes fun at this idea as it's where she feels the more authentic and free. So if doing so means she's looked down on by listeners or fans, then so be it.
Attention
Another teaser for the new album, "Attention" is based on more R&B references and exudes conviction as she enters this new era but in a more authentic side. The track details almost a story-like quality of her journey as an artist and an individual in the spotlight. From her heightened fame in 2019 to present date, to others' opinions on her, Doja unapologetically sheds light on those who attempted to talk down to her.
Balut
The more sultry R&B sound in "Balut" touches on multiple vulnerable topics that she's experienced, from poking fun of her personalities within her discography, to calling out others who mimic her style, fade from their originality, and calling out misogyny. She even includes prominent male figures that emit masculinity, power, and respect, such as Shaquille O'Neil and even including a quote from Ric Flair where he claims females will never be first. Doja challenges these chauvinist comments and does so gracefully in a predominatly male-dominant music genre.
WYM Freestyle
The hate Doja received with her previous albums, calling them "too pop" or "cash grabs" led her to publicly agreeing and setting the record straight that she has grown away from her previous releases both musically and as a person. Despite the success they received from both prominent award shows and initially, Doja, she pokes fun at the fact that she continues to receive accolades and praise for work she no longer connects with.
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