Eyes of V

No one can deny that Doja Cat is one of the best performers of her generation. Not only can she sing, she can rap, she can dance, and so much more that this woman is quite literally unstoppable.

We’ve all gotten to see Doja go from YouTube to performing on big stages. No one can deny that woman’s talent. But let’s get to know Doja Cat and the woman behind the name.

Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini was born on October 21, 1995 in Los Angeles, California to parents Dumisani Dlamini & Deborah Sawyer. after being born, Amala, her brother, and her mother moved from California to Rye, New York where they lived for almost 5 years after her parents separated while father went back to South Africa due to his career in the entertainment industry over there. While living in New York, she was introduced to not only a new environment but many different cultures.

But when they moved, just like any other kid, young Amala found herself having trouble making friends & adapting to her new school and not having her dad there did not help feel better. But Amala still found herself exposed to many different forms of art especially in her home due to her mother being a painter. “My mom was a painter and loves to sing behind closed doors. My father is a South African actor who danced in Broadway musicals for Lion King. Music was in my blood”, she once stated. She was inspired by her mother to explore her own creativity through different expressions of art.

She started her education in Rye, New York where the schools in the area are known for their academic rigor & extracurricular opportunities, which helped her grow talents little by little. Finally after 5 years of living in Rye, Amala & her family decided to move back to Los Angeles, California to be closer to family.

When they first arrived back in Los Angeles, Amala & her family were living with her grandmother before moving to other parts of the city. Amala started attending elementary school in Los Angeles where she was struggling with the traditional education system. She was finding it not only hard to fit in but stay engaged as well.

But her interest in the performing arts, specifically music & dance, continue to grow. She began taking dance lessons which included tap, ballet and jazz. She also participated in breakdancing during her teenage years, showcasing her versatility & passion for dance.

As she grew up, she still found herself struggling in school. Since she was constantly moving to different schools, it made hard for her to fit in. At just the age of 16, Amala made the bold decision to drop out of high school to focus on her music career full time. She began creating her music on GarageBand, a digital audio workstation for macOS and iOS. This allowed her to experiment with beats, melodies, and lyrics, honing her skills as a producer and songwriter.

Soon after, she started uploading her music to SoundCloud, a platform known for helping emerging artists share their work & gain exposure. Her early tracks showcased her eclectic style & unique voice giving birth to who we now know as Doja Cat. The name came from her love of both cats and the recreational drug marijuana.

One of her earliest tracks, “So High”, gained significant attention on SoundCloud. The songs dreamy production & catchy lyrics helped it stand out, leading to a growing online following. The success of the song caught the attention of Kemosabe Records & RCA Records. At just the age of 17, Doja was signed to a joint record deal with the two labels, marking the official start of her career. “I was just uploading music on SoundCloud and it was more for fun than anything. I didn’t expect it blow up”.

Shortly after signing, Doja released her debut EP, “Purrr!”, in August 2014. The EP featured the single “So High”, which already gained a lot of traction from SoundCloud. The success of the track helped build a modest following and establish her presence in the music industry. Despite some of the success, Doja found herself facing challenges like finding her artistic identity and getting broader recognition. Her initial releases didn’t achieve significant commercial success, so she continued to work on developing her sound & style.

Doja then released her debut album, “Amala”, in March 2018. While the album included tracks like, “Candy” and “Roll With Us”, it initially did not make a major impact on the charts. In August of the same year, Doja released the song, “Mooo!”, along with a homemade music video. The song, which humorously portrays her as a cow, went viral on social media, significantly boosting her visibility. The viral nature of “Mooo!” brought widespread attention to Doja & helped introduce her to a broader audience. She once said, “I made ‘Mooo!’ just for fun. I never expected it to go viral, but it showed me how powerful and connected the internet can be”.

Following the viral success of “Mooo!”, Doja released the single “Tia Tamera” featuring Rico Nasty in January 2019. The song further solidified her presence in the music industry and showcased her collaborative potential. In that same year, Doja released her second studio album titled, “Hot Pink”, in November.

The album marked a significant turning point in her career. The album featured several hit singles including “Juicy” which originally released as a solo single but the remix featuring Tyga gained substantial popularity and became a commercial success. It also included “Say So” which became a massive success largely due to its popularity on TikTok, where users created dance challenges set to the song. A remix featuring Nicki Minaj helped “Say So” reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2020.

The success of “Hot Pink” & its singles, earned Doja several award nominations for Best New Artist & record of the year for “Say So”. Doja then received recognition & awards at major music award shows, further cementing her status as a rising star in the music industry.

In June 2021, Doja released her third studio album, “Planet Her”. The album received critical acclaim and commercial success featuring hit singles like “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA, “Need To Know”, and “You Right” featuring The Weeknd. This album showcased Doja’s versatility as an artist, blending elements of pop, R&B, and hip-hop. The album’s success further established her as a dynamic and innovative musician.

Then in the past year of 2023, Doja released her fourth studio album, “Scarlet”. The album marks a significant evolution in her musical style and artistic direction. Doja began teasing the album earlier last year through social media, sharing snippets of the new songs and visual concepts that hinted at a darker, more experimental sound compared to her previous albums.

Doja took an active role in this albums creation, working closely with a variety of producers & collaborators to craft a unique sound. She aimed to push her musical boundaries and explore new artistic territories.

“Scarlet” is noted for its darker & more introspective tone. The album blends elements of hip-hop, R&B, and experimental pop, creating a sound that is both innovative and cohesive. The lyrical content of the album delves into themes of self-discovery, personal struggles, empowerment and the complexities of fame. Doja addresses her experience in the music industry, her personal growth, and the challenges she’s faced along the way.

Serving as one of the lead singles, “Attention” features introspective lyrics and a haunting melody. The song sets the tone for the album with its reflective & emotionally charged content. “Paint The Town Red” became a standout hit, combining catchy hooks with bold, experimental production. It received widespread acclaim for its innovative sound and compelling lyrics, becoming the albums most popular song.

Her song “Demons” explores themes of inner turmoil & personal battles, the song is characterized by its dark and intense production. The song highlights Dojas ability to convey deep emotions through her music.

“Scarlet” received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Dojas artistic growth and willingness to experiment with new sounds. The album was lauded for its cohesive production, compelling lyrics, and Dojas vocal performances. The album performed well commercially, debuting high on various music charts worldwide. The singles, particularly “Paint The Town Red”, achieved significant streaming numbers & radio play. Fans appreciated the albums bold direction & praised Doja for her creativity and authenticity. “Scarlet” further solidified her position as a versatile & innovative artist in the contemporary music scene.

Dojas latest album “Scarlet 2: CLAUDE” is a deluxe version of “Scarlet” which was released on April 5, 2024. This deluxe version includes seven new songs, featuring collaborations with artists like A$AP Rocky & Teezo Touchdown. “Scarlet 2: CLAUDE” builds on the experimental tone of the original album. “With ‘Scarlet 2 CLAUDE’, I wanted to dive deeper into my thoughts & emotions, presenting a more raw and unfiltered version of myself”, she once explained.

As much as many of us know Doja for her elaborate performances, fashion, and music, she is also known for candid & humorous presence on social media. She often engages with fans & shares aspects of her personal life, making her be seen as relatable & approachable. Throughout her career, Doja has faced many controversies, including accusations of participating in online chat rooms with racist content & making insensitive remarks. She has publicly addressed these issues, sometimes apologizing & clarifying her statements.

Through it all, Doja remained honest & true to herself which made the world love her even more. Her music seamlessly combines elements of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and electronic music, showcasing her versatility & creative prowess. Tracks like “Say So” & “Kiss Me More” highlight her catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and distinctive vocal style. Additionally, her viral success with songs like “Mooo!” demonstrates her knack for engaging with contemporary internet culture, making her a relatable & influential figure.

Dojas evolution as an artist, particularly evident in albums like “Planet Her” & “Scarlet 2: CLAUDE”, underscores her commitment to pushing artistic boundaries & consistently delivering fresh, captivating music.