Doja Cat - Scarlet (2023)

Doja Cat's fourth album Scarlet marks one of the most exciting eras for femcees since Cardi B. Hot off the back of much media and fan speculation, Doja isn't afraid to speak out this time around, and no one is safe.
Earlier in 2023, the pop superstar was losing followers by the boatload stating "seeing these people unfollow me makes me feel like I've defeated a large beast that's been holding me down for so long… now I can reconnect with people who really matter and love me for who I am." This "large beast" is most clearly addressed on the hard-hitting track "Demons," a Doja-fied version of something you may have found on Tyler the Creator's revolutionary 2011 album Goblin: "Lots of people that were sleeping say I rap now/ Lots of people's hopes and dreams are finally trashed now." And rap she does.

Proudly boasting "no features" on her social media, this album is 100% Doja Cat; she didn't come to play and she has a lot to say. From her laid-back flow on "Balut" where she addresses her amateur contemporaries to "Wet Vagina" where she points out her newfound status in the fashion world, it is always great to see a female artist who unashamedly backs herself like no other. Even on "Attention" she brings up the fact that the media tried to pin her against fellow rap icon and personal influence Nicki Minaj ("'Why she think she Nicki M? She think she hot shit'/ Huh, I never gave a F, go stir the pot bitch").

Beyond her protean flow, Doja's knack for writing flaming hot bars really shines on Scarlet. She is a master of the metaphor and the double entendre. On "Balut" she raps "Make the hoe kneel/ She kill it like an O'Neal," using "she kill it" as a homophone for Shaquille (O'Neal). The production also speaks for the album's versatility, with credits including hip-hop producer legend Rogét Chahayed, London on Da Track, Beat Butcha, Jay Versace and f a l l e n.

Scarlet was written between Doja's regular writing schedule and a 10 day Malibu treat. As a result, half of the album has a different aura and message from the other. Tracks like "Attention" and "Paint the Town Red" have an ultra cool laissez-faire Doja is known for and "Demons," "Wet Vagina," "Fuck the Girls FTG" and "Balut" all have a certain bite recalling her early SoundCloud rap days. The vibe completely switches to something more relaxed and "sing-songy" (think her previous album) on tracks like "Gun" and "Go Off" (produced by f a l l e n, who also worked on Planet Her), and can also be felt on "97," "Agora Hills," "Can't Wait" and "Love Life."

Whilst this album has a lot to offer and there is something for everyone, one might experience a little less whiplash if a few songs were dropped from the 15-deep tracklist. Regardless, Doja Cat has certainly earned the title of the Princess of Rap and is deserving of the recognition as a truly talented multi-faceted artist and pop-culture icon. To quote Princess Doja one last time, "Is it coke? Is it crack? Is it meth?/ What the fuck do she put in them hits!?" © Jessica Porter-Langson

Tracklist
[3:51] 1. Doja Cat - Paint The Town Red
[3:16] 2. Doja Cat - Demons
[3:13] 3. Doja Cat - Wet Vagina
[2:33] 4. Doja Cat - Fuck The Girls (FTG)
[2:03] 5. Doja Cat - Ouchies
[2:58] 6. Doja Cat - 97
[2:57] 7. Doja Cat - Gun
[3:18] 8. Doja Cat - Go Off
[3:08] 9. Doja Cat - Shutcho
[4:26] 10. Doja Cat - Agora Hills
[3:56] 11. Doja Cat - Can't Wait
[3:19] 12. Doja Cat - Often
[3:58] 13. Doja Cat - Love Life
[4:09] 14. Doja Cat - Skull And Bones
[4:36] 15. Doja Cat - Attention
[3:26] 16. Doja Cat - Balut
[2:05] 17. Doja Cat - WYM Freestyle