Doja Cat’s rise to stardom began on SoundCloud, where the Los Angeles native shared her early tracks as a teen. Born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini in 1995, she caught the eye of major labels with her 2014 EP Purrr!, signing to Kemosabe and RCA Records. Her 2018 debut album Amala initially flew under the radar, but the quirky viral hit “Mooo!” soon catapulted her into the spotlight. This momentum fueled her sophomore effort Hot Pink, which cracked the Billboard 200’s top ten in 2019.
The album’s standout single “Say So,” boosted by a Nicki Minaj remix, topped the Hot 100, cementing Doja Cat’s status as a multi-talented force in rap, pop, and R&B. Planet Her, Doja Cat’s 2021 release, catapulted her to new heights with smash hits “Kiss Me More” and “Need to Know.” Her 2023 album Scarlet pivoted toward hip-hop, yielding the #1 single “Paint the Town Red.” Blending rap with melody, Doja’s distinctive style, viral social media savvy, and captivating shows have earned her Grammys, Billboard honors, and a reputation as a defining voice of the 2020s. Her eclectic artistry continues to shape pop culture and music.