Demons

"Demons" by Doja Cat is a confrontational and assertive track that serves as a powerful statement against her critics and the public's perception of her. The core message of the song revolves around empowerment, success, and turning supposed negatives into sources of strength. The recurring line, "How my demons look now that my pocket's full?", is a rhetorical question aimed at those who have criticized her, essentially asking how her flaws or past struggles appear now that she is successful and wealthy. It's a defiant embrace of the "demonic" label that has been applied to her by some online commentators, particularly in response to her changing image and tattoos. Doja Cat uses the song to address the insults she receives daily, from accusations of being a Satanist to being a sellout or a "cash cow." She satirically embraces these labels in the lyrics, saying, "I'm a puppet, I'm a sheep, I'm a cash cow / I'm the fastest-growing bitch on all your apps now," highlighting the contradiction between the criticism and her undeniable popularity and influence. The song is an unapologetic celebration of her success and a direct challenge to her detractors, asserting that their opinions are irrelevant in the face of her achievements. It marks a significant shift from her pop-oriented sound towards a harder, more rap-focused style, which she had promised her fans.

A self-assured and confrontational figure emerges, questioning how their past struggles and inner 'demons' are perceived now that they have achieved significant financial success and public recognition. The narrative is one of flipping the script on critics and haters. There's a palpable sense of triumph and a challenge to those who doubted or judged them. The protagonist revels in a lavish lifestyle, symbolized by the purchase of a limousine, and proudly notes their self-improvement, such as quitting nicotine. They demand a high standard from those around them, dismissing anything mediocre. This newfound status is a weapon, and they are acutely aware of the envy and shock it induces in others. The lyrics mock those who once overlooked them but now claim familiarity or newfound respect for their craft. The narrator explicitly addresses the labels and criticisms thrown at them—being called a puppet, a sheep, a cash cow—and juxtaposes these insults with the reality of their massive influence and popularity, particularly on social media. They acknowledge the exhaustion and anger of their detractors, who are constantly confronted with their success. There’s a raw, unapologetic embrace of their power and sexuality, using graphic imagery to assert dominance and control within the industry. The figure declares themselves a 'queen' who operates with speed and precision, drawing a firm line between their inner circle and their enemies. They look down upon those who engage in self-destructive behaviors, contrasting it with their own clear-headed ambition. The central question, 'How my demons look?', is a recurring taunt, a rhetorical device that underscores the entire narrative. It’s a boast that their supposed flaws and past vulnerabilities have been transformed into sources of strength and intimidation in the face of their success. The protagonist has not just overcome their demons; they have weaponized them.

"Demons" was released on September 1, 2023, as a promotional single from Doja Cat's fourth studio album, Scarlet. The song was written by Doja Cat (Amala Zandile Dlamini), Christina Doman, Danny Levin, and David "D.A." Doman. The production was handled by D.A. Got That Dope. The creation of "Demons" and the album Scarlet marked a deliberate pivot for Doja Cat, who had expressed disillusionment with pop music and the criticism she faced regarding her rapping abilities. She described her previous two albums as "cash grabs" and promised a new project that would be "predominantly rap." The demon-inspired theme was teased by Doja Cat for months leading up to the song's release. In March 2023, she changed her TikTok profile picture to a demon, and in July, she shared a series of photos described as "demonic." The song title was first revealed in April 2023. Doja Cat explained that "Demons," along with "Attention" and "Paint the Town Red," were written before she recorded the rest of the album in Malibu over a ten-day period. The song's release was preceded by a horror movie-style trailer for the music video, which premiered at Cinespia in Los Angeles on August 27, 2023.

"Demons" is built on a foundation of a hard, aggressive trap rhythm, driven by punchy beats and layered synths. The tempo is energetic, contributing to the song's overall feeling of chaotic confidence. Doja Cat's vocal rhythm is a key feature, showcasing her versatility as a rapper. In the chorus, her delivery is forceful and direct, emphasizing the confrontational nature of the lyrics. The rhyme scheme here is simple and effective, with the repetition of "look" and "shook" creating a memorable and impactful hook. The verses, in contrast, feature a more complex and varied rhythmic flow. Doja plays with the beat, sometimes rapping in a rapid, staccato manner and at other times adopting a more relaxed, conversational pace. This rhythmic dynamism keeps the listener engaged and reflects the multifaceted persona she presents. She employs a mix of perfect rhymes and slant rhymes throughout the verses, giving the lyrics a sense of both structure and spontaneity. The interplay between her vocal rhythm and the underlying beat is tight, with her pauses and accelerations carefully placed to maximize the impact of her words. For example, the line, "I'm a puppet, I'm a sheep, I'm a cash cow," is delivered with a distinctive cadence that highlights each label, infusing them with sarcastic weight.

"Demons" employs a range of stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, to create its aggressive and confrontational tone. Musically, the track is characterized by a hard-hitting, trap-inspired beat produced by D.A. Got That Dope. It features a heavy, distorted bassline and a menacing, looped string sample that evokes the soundtracks of classic horror films. Doja Cat's vocal delivery is highly versatile and dynamic. She shifts between a manic, rage-filled flow in the chorus and a lighter, almost childlike, and casual tone in the verses. This sharp contrast enhances the unsettling and unpredictable nature of the song, mirroring the juxtaposition of her natural self and the demonic persona in the music video. Some critics have compared her energetic and sporadic flow to artists like Rico Nasty and Baby Keem. Lyrically, Doja Cat utilizes direct address and rhetorical questions to confront her critics head-on (e.g., "How my demons look?"). She uses sarcasm and irony when she refers to herself as a "puppet," "sheep," and "cash cow," adopting the very language of her detractors to expose its absurdity in light of her massive success. Her lyrics are packed with bravado and boastful claims about her wealth and status ("I just bought a limousine"), a common trope in hardcore hip-hop used to assert dominance.

"Demons" was released as a promotional single for Doja Cat's fourth album, Scarlet, and played a crucial role in establishing the new, darker, and more rap-focused era of her career. The song and its horror-themed music video, co-starring actress Christina Ricci, generated significant online discourse and media attention. The video, with its numerous references to classic horror films, was praised for its ambition and visual execution, solidifying Doja Cat's reputation for creating compelling and eccentric music videos. Upon its release, "Demons" charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, as well as in several other countries including Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The song received generally positive reviews from critics, who noted it as a successful departure from her pop sound, praising her biting rhymes and confident delivery. However, the track and its accompanying visuals also sparked controversy, particularly among religious commentators who criticized its use of satanic and demonic imagery. This controversy, much like the song's lyrical content, served to further distance Doja Cat from her previous pop persona and reinforce the unapologetic and confrontational themes of the Scarlet album.

The song and its accompanying music video are rich with symbolism and metaphors, primarily centered around the concept of 'demons'.

• The Demon Persona: Doja Cat's portrayal of a demon is a direct and defiant response to online critics who have labeled her as such. By embodying this character, she reclaims the insult, turning it into a symbol of power, rebellion, and artistic freedom. It's a metaphor for her embracing the darker, more aggressive side of her artistry and her refusal to conform to public expectations.
• Horror Film References: The music video, co-directed by Doja Cat and Christian Breslauer, is a deliberate homage to classic horror films like The Shining, Poltergeist, The Exorcist, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. These references are not just aesthetic choices; they symbolize the terror and chaos she aims to unleash on her critics and the music industry. The haunted house setting represents the space she now occupies in the public eye, where she is the one in control, terrorizing those who intrude with their judgment.
• The All-Seeing Eye: In the video, Doja Cat is depicted with an eyeball on the back of her head. This can be interpreted as a symbol of her hyper-awareness of being constantly watched and scrutinized by the public and media. It also subverts the idea of surveillance, suggesting she sees everything and is in control of her own narrative, despite accusations of being part of the Illuminati.
• Succubus Imagery: Some analyses suggest Doja is portraying a succubus, a female demon from folklore. Her snake jewelry in the video could be a reference to Medusa, a mythological figure sometimes associated with such demons. This symbolizes a dangerous, seductive power and a rejection of traditional femininity.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Demons" is the central question of the chorus: "How my demons look?" This line, repeated multiple times, functions as the song's primary thesis and hook. It's a defiant taunt aimed directly at critics, transforming the negative connotation of "demons"—whether representing personal flaws, past struggles, or the public's negative perception of her—into a symbol of power fueled by her success ("Now that my pocket's full? / Now that you bitches shook?"). Its repetition drills the song's central message of unapologetic self-acceptance and challenges listeners to reconsider their judgments. Another recurring motif is the contrast between her success and the perceived jealousy or failure of her haters. Lines like "You live like me in your dreams" and references to her being "the fastest-growing bitch on all your apps now" reinforce this theme. Musically, the haunting, looped string sample serves as a recurring motif, consistently grounding the track in a horror-inspired soundscape that complements the lyrical themes of menace and confrontation.