All things considered, Doja Cat is having a banner year. That is, if 11 Grammy nominations ranging from Best Pop Vocal Album to Record of the Year; a joint tour leg with The Weeknd; and a Taco Bell commercial is anything out of the ordinary for the prolific performer—who first catapulted into the spotlight following the release of 2019 satirical track, ‘Mooo!’ The rapper, songwriter and record producer has since dropped two new albums that have become commercial successes, with tracks from Hot Pink and Planet Her having garnered over a million listens each on YouTube thus far.
Her claim to fame can be attributed to a variety of factors, with some asserting that it has to do with the way her lyrics and beats feel custom-made for TikTok’s signature short-form videos. Others, however, pin it on the distinctive Doja Cat flavour, thought as a reinterpreted amalgamation of other artists’s sensibilities—such as Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé—whom she credits as major influences in her work. Either way, there’s no denying her sheer star power, all of which comes through in the bevy of accolades she has accumulated since her debut. We’re talking multiple wins from the MTV Video Music Awards, being named the bestselling female R&B and hip-hop artist in the US by music authority, Billboard, as well as placing on Times magazine’s ‘100 Next List.’
It stands to reason, then, that most of us are familiar with Doja Cat’s current body of work. Should you be looking to delve deeper into her discography, however, we’ve helpfully curated a collection of sleeper-hits to stream, encompassing early works from 2017 to tunes that haven’t quite entered the TikTok mainstream just yet. See them all, below.
‘So High’
Also known as the single that launched Doja Cat’s career, with an early version published on her SoundCloud having caught the attention of RCA Records. And while she has since denounced it for its supposed “cringeworthy” lyrics, it harbours her characteristic lilting vocals and chameleonic intonations that fans are sure to enjoy.
‘Rules’
Doja’s wit and carefree lyrical quips are best exhibited in this track, where she seamlessly launches into a rap verse about the perils of modern dating encompassing ghosting, mind games and cold hard cash. Critics have also noted that her performance is heavily influenced by Kendrick Lamar in said track, where she exhibits his characteristic limber and dexterous flow.
‘Bottom B*tch’
Elements of grunge are weaved into this track from Doja Cat’s 2019 Hot Pink album, which includes samples of 1999 single ‘What’s My Age Again’ from American-rock band Blink-182. The music video also featured a cameo appearance by rapper, Rico Nasty, who also collaborated with Doja on TikTok-favourite track ‘Tia Tamera’.
‘I Don’t Do Drugs’
Vocal powerhouse Ariana Grande features in this track that compares the addictive high of chemical substances to toxic relationships; a counterpoint to the duo’s previous collaborative track titled ‘Motive’ that was released in Grande’s sixth studio album Positions.
‘Casual’
The track made its official debut in Doja Cat’s 2018 album, Amala, after it was edited and remixed from the original version launched on her SoundCloud. It addresses the complexities of an undefined relationship, touching upon mixed signals and crossed wires told with Doja’s signature wit and flair.
