History
Doja Cat, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini on October 21, 1995, is a multi-platinum American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She is widely recognized for her ability to blend hip hop, R&B, and pop, as well as her mastery of digital platforms to engage with a global audience.
Early Career and Viral Breakthrough
Doja Cat first began building a following by uploading music to SoundCloud during her teenage years. Her track "So High" eventually led to a recording contract with Kemosabe and RCA Records, followed by the release of her debut EP, Purrr!, in 2014. While her first full-length studio album, Amala (2018), initially had a quiet commercial reception, she achieved sudden international visibility through the viral success of her self-produced single "Mooo!" later that year.
Mainstream Success and Chart Dominance
Her second studio album, Hot Pink (2019), propelled her into the mainstream. The record reached the top ten of the Billboard 200 and featured the hit single "Say So." After the release of a remix featuring Nicki Minaj, the song climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a significant milestone in her career.
In 2021, Doja Cat released Planet Her, which enjoyed an extended residency in the top ten of the Billboard 200. The album was supported by several high-performing singles, including "Kiss Me More" (featuring SZA), "Need to Know," and "Woman." This era solidified her status as a leading figure in contemporary music and earned her a Grammy Award.
Artistic Evolution and Recent Projects
With the release of her fourth studio album, Scarlet (2023), Doja Cat shifted toward a more hip-hop-oriented sound. The project entered the top five of the Billboard 200, driven by the success of the lead single "Paint the Town Red," which topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. In 2025, she released her fifth studio album, Vie, which integrated pop influences back into her work and continued her streak of top-five chart placements.
