Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, known professionally as Doja Cat, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer born on October 21, 1995, in Los Angeles, California. Raised in an artistic family, with a painter mother and a South African actor and composer father, she moved to New York City for five years before returning to California. Doja Cat took an interest in music as a teenager, teaching herself to sing and rap, and began releasing her music on SoundCloud.
Career Beginnings
After dropping out of high school at 16, Doja Cat began her music career by uploading songs to SoundCloud. Her track "So High" caught the attention of Kemosabe Records and RCA Records, leading to a record deal at the age of 17. In 2014, she released her debut EP, Purrr!. Following this, she took a hiatus before releasing her debut studio album, Amala, in 2018. The album initially had a limited commercial impact.
Breakthrough with "Mooo!"
Doja Cat's career trajectory changed dramatically in August 2018 with the release of her novelty song and music video, "Mooo!". The quirky, cow-themed video went viral, turning her into an internet meme and significantly boosting her popularity. This newfound attention led to a re-release of Amala with bonus tracks, including "Mooo!" and "Juicy," the latter of which, especially a remix featuring Tyga, became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Mainstream Success
Hot Pink
Capitalizing on her viral fame, Doja Cat released her second studio album, Hot Pink, in November 2019. The album was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number nine on the Billboard 200. It featured the hit single "Say So," which became a global phenomenon, partly due to a viral dance challenge on TikTok. A remix of "Say So" featuring Nicki Minaj reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a first for a female rap duo.
Planet Her
Her third studio album, Planet Her, released in 2021, solidified her status as a global superstar. The album spent four weeks at number two on the Billboard 200 and spawned several hit singles, including "Kiss Me More" featuring SZA, "Need to Know," and "Woman". The collaboration with SZA, "Kiss Me More," earned them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2022. Planet Her was a massive commercial success, becoming the biggest R&B album of the year in the US.
Scarlet
In 2023, Doja Cat released her fourth studio album, Scarlet, which adopted a more hip-hop-oriented sound. The album's lead single, "Paint the Town Red," became her first solo number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in several other countries. Another single from the album, "Agora Hills," also entered the top ten in the United States.
Artistry and Impact
Doja Cat is known for her genre-bending musical style, which often incorporates elements of hip hop, R&B, pop, and internet culture. She is recognized for her skilled rapping, strong melodic sense, and bold visual presence. Her use of social media platforms like TikTok has been a significant factor in her rise to fame. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award, five Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, and five MTV Video Music Awards.