Doja Cat quickly became a bright and influential figure in the music world. Her ability to blend genres and create memorable visuals has made her a new icon in the industry. What is known about Doja’s life?
The Success Story of Doja Cat
Who is Doja Cat? Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, better known as Doja Cat, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer. She was born in Tarzana, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was born on October 21, 1995, and in 2024, she celebrated her 29th birthday.
Doja’s mother, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, a Jewish designer, raised her daughter alone, as her father, South African actor Dumisani Dlamini (Sarafina!), left the country before Doja was born. From an early age, Amala studied classical Indian Bharatanatyam, ballet, tap, and jazz. Later, she threw herself into breakdancing, joining a professional troupe and performing at dance battles across Los Angeles.
At 16, Amala dropped out of school — a decision that marked the beginning of a new path. She became passionate about music, teaching herself to sing and rap, recording tracks, and uploading them to SoundCloud. In late 2012, her first single, “So High,” caught the attention of producer Yeti Beats, who became her first manager. Together, they signed a deal with RCA Records when Doja was just 17. In 2014, she released her debut EP Purrr! and soon signed with rapper OG Maco’s label, releasing a joint track called “Monster.”
In early 2018, Doja Cat dropped the single “Roll with Us,” followed by “Go to Town,” which became the lead track on her debut album Amala. The album also featured the song “Candy,” which gained international fame thanks to TikTok and reached #86 on the Billboard Hot 100. Initially, Amala was ignored by critics and didn’t chart.
Her real breakthrough came in August 2018, when she independently filmed a video for the song “Mooo!”, which instantly went viral on YouTube.
Later, she re-released Amala with new tracks, including “Juicy.” A remix of that song featuring rapper Tyga reached #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned platinum certification.
At the end of 2019, she released her second studio album, Hot Pink, which reached #9 on the Billboard 200 and received critical acclaim. In 2020, a remix of the single “Say So” featuring Nicki Minaj became a massive hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
That same year, Doja Cat released “Boss Bitch” for the Birds of Prey soundtrack, and a remix of The Weeknd’s “In Your Eyes.” She was nominated for two BET Awards, won an MTV Video Music Award, earned the 2020 MTV Europe Music Award for Best New Artist, and topped Rolling Stone’s list of the 10 Best Artists of the Year.
In 2021, she was included in the TIME 100 NEXT list of rising stars. That year, she released her third studio album, Planet Her, which was widely praised.
Her fourth album, Scarlet, released in 2023, debuted in the top five in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.
Personal Life and Fun Facts
Doja Cat keeps her personal relationships private. Little is known about her love life, except for a brief romance with indie rock musician Jawny (2019–2020).
In 2023, rumors linked her to comedian Jeffrey Cyrus. Doja declined to comment, but told Harper’s Bazaar she was in love, without revealing a name.
However, she’s more open about other parts of her life. Here are some fun facts about Doja Cat:
- She draws inspiration from Nicki Minaj, Erykah Badu, Pharrell Williams, Drake, and PartyNextDoor.
- She’s known for mixing styles and creating one-of-a-kind looks. “I just walk into the closet and pick the weirdest thing to mix with something that doesn’t quite match,” she said.
- She actively supports the Black Lives Matter movement.
- She told Harper’s Bazaar she’d love to act in action or comedy films, especially something like John Wick.
- She is hands-on with her music videos — developing concepts, designing costumes, and choreographing performances herself.
Why Is Doja Cat So Popular?
The secret to her success lies in a powerful mix of factors. Her music fuses pop, hip-hop, R&B, and funk, appealing to a wide audience. She writes her own songs, sings, raps — and does it all with flair and charisma.
She’s fearless in expressing herself, experimenting with hair colors, styles, and fashion. Another trait that sets her apart is her humor. It shows in her music, interviews, and social media. She’s not afraid to laugh at herself and be delightfully weird.
Doja Cat continues to surprise and inspire with her creativity and fearless style. Each release pushes genre boundaries, keeping her at the top of the charts and the center of attention.