Doja Cat, an accomplished American rapper, songwriter, and record producer, experienced an unexpected ascent in her career with the release of “Mooo!”—a viral meme song that catapulted her into widespread popularity. Her trajectory has since been marked by consistent growth, bolstered by a dynamic presence in advertising and marketing on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Renowned for her genre-defying musical style and innovative artistic prowess, Doja Cat continues to captivate audiences with her distinctive approach to creating music.
Doja Cat Early life
Doja Cat, born on October 21, 1995, hails from a culturally rich and artistic background, originating in Los Angeles, California’s Tarzana neighborhood. Her mother, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, an accomplished Jewish-American painter, and her father, Dumisani Dlamini, a renowned South African actor, composer, and filmmaker of Zulu descent, notably recognized for is role in the 1992 musical film “Sarafina!” Despite assertions of not meeting her father during her upbringing, familial dynamics remain a subject of contention.
Following her birth, Doja and her mother relocated to New York City, where they resided for five years. Subsequently, they returned to California, settling in Oak Park, where Doja embarked on a formative artistic journey. Introduced to various disciplines, she commenced dance lessons, including choreography, tap, and jazz, from the age of four. Encouraged by her aunt, a singer, Doja received vocal training, fostering her entry into a performing arts school. At the age of 11, her family moved to the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles, residing in an ashram nestled in the mountains of Agoura Hills. Immersed in Hinduism for four years, Doja embraced cultural practices, such as donning head-covering scarves and singing bhajans at the temple.
During her time at the ashram, Doja delved into Indian classical dance, specifically Bharatanatyam. As she transitioned away from the ashram environment, her passion for dance evolved, leading her to breakdancing classes and a professional pop-locking troupe, with whom she engaged in dance competitions throughout Los Angeles, all while attending high school. Concurrently, she developed a penchant for online chatrooms, occasionally skipping school to participate. Eventually, her enthusiasm for traditional education waned, prompting her departure from high school.
Doja Cat Career beginnings
Following her departure from traditional education, Doja Cat, as described by Nicki Minaj, navigated a “messy” phase of life. During this period, she found herself sleeping on the floor and immersed in the world of the internet, dedicating countless hours to scouring YouTube for beats and instrumentals to fuel her burgeoning musical ambitions. Self-taught in singing, rapping, and utilizing GarageBand, she honed her craft while unemployed, consistently creating and uploading music to the platform SoundCloud.
The moniker “Doja Cat” was inspired by both her fondness for one of her cats and her preferred strain of marijuana. Reflecting on her early connection to weed culture, she explained, “I was very much addicted to weed and weed culture, so when I began rapping I thought of the word ‘doja’ because it sounds like a girl’s name.”
Doja Cat’s musical journey gained traction in 2012. Toward the year’s end, “So High” emerged as her inaugural SoundCloud upload, attracting the attention of Dr. Luke. Consequently, she secured a significant deal with Kemosabe Records, RCA Records, and the publishing company Prescription Songs at the age of 17. This agreement also included a temporary artist management partnership with Roc Nation. In August 2014, she unveiled her debut EP, “Purrr!”, featuring a reissued version of “So High” as her solo commercial debut single. The track gained additional exposure when it was featured on the television series “Empire.”
In mid-2015, Doja Cat inked a deal with OG Maco’s label, OGG. This collaboration culminated in the 2017 mixtape “Children of The Rage,” where Maco and Doja Cat joined forces on the track “Monster,” showcasing her versatility and collaborative spirit.
Doja Cat Personal Life
Doja Cat maintains a reserved stance on her personal life, choosing to keep details about her relationships private. Nevertheless, she has subtly hinted at her queer sexuality and has been associated with musicians like Jawny and Bree Runway. Despite the occasional glimpses into her romantic life, she generally refrains from public disclosure.
In early 2021, Doja Cat made a notable real estate move by acquiring a residence in Beverly Hills valued at $2.2 million. The following year, she opted to list the property for sale at an asking price of $2.5 million, showcasing her ventures beyond the realm of music and her strategic approach to real estate investments.Renowned for her impactful presence on social media, Doja Cat has, at times, sparked controversy due to her statements. In 2018, she faced scrutiny over the use of an offensive term in an older tweet. In response, she promptly issued a series of apologies and removed the tweet.
Subsequently, Doja Cat drew criticism for downplaying the severity of COVID-19, likening it to a “flu,” and engaging in celebratory activities during the pandemic.
In a separate incident in July 2022, the artist became embroiled in a texting privacy breach scandal involving actor Noah Schnapp and discussions about actor Joseph Quinn. Seeking contact with Quinn, Doja Cat privately messaged Schnapp, only to have the exchange shared on Schnapp’s TikTok account, reaching an audience of 26 million followers.
Doja Cat Net Worth and income
Doja Cat, a multifaceted artist renowned for her prowess in rap, singing, and songwriting, has accumulated a net worth of $12 million. Initially gaining prominence as a teenager through the creation and release of music on SoundCloud, her career ascended significantly after securing a record deal at the age of 17.
Her discography boasts notable albums, namely “Amala,” “Hot Pink,” and “Planet Her,” the latter two achieving placement in the top ten of the esteemed Billboard 200 chart. Beyond her musical talents, Doja Cat is celebrated for her adept use of social media platforms, particularly TikTok and YouTube, as powerful tools to amplify her artistic endeavors.
In February 2022, Forbes spotlighted her financial success, listing her among the highest-paid figures in hip-hop. According to Forbes, Doja Cat purportedly earned an impressive $25 million in 2021, attributing this financial triumph to her flourishing music career and expanding international presence, coupled with lucrative brand partnerships including collaborations with Pepsi and CandyCrush. However, it’s crucial to note that the accuracy of this $25 million figure was not substantiated and remains unconfirmed.
Doja Cat Music Awards
In April 2021, Doja Cat tantalized fans with a preview of her forthcoming album by dropping the single “Kiss Me More,” a collaboration with the acclaimed artist SZA. The track made an indelible mark on the music scene, maintaining a remarkable 19-week streak within the top ten of the prestigious Billboard Hot 100, ultimately reaching its zenith at number three.
Building on the momentum, Doja Cat continued to showcase her musical prowess with the subsequent release of singles “Need to Know” and “You Right.” These offerings served as a prelude to the highly anticipated album, “Planet Her,” which made its debut at an impressive number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The album’s success extended beyond the United States, securing positions in the top three in Canada, Australia, and the UK, affirming Doja Cat’s global appeal and artistic impact.
Capitalizing on the triumph of her acclaimed album “Planet Her,” Doja Cat assumed a prominent role as the host of the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony. Her influence in the industry was further underscored by multiple nominations at the event, including prestigious categories such as Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Best Visual Effects.
The evening unfolded with Doja Cat clinching noteworthy victories, earning accolades for Best Collaboration. This particular award was shared with SZA in recognition of their collaborative effort on the hit song “Kiss Me More.” Additionally, Doja Cat secured the award for Best Art Direction, an honor shared with Saweetie for their collaborative work on the music video for “Best Friend.” These accolades not only solidified Doja Cat’s standing as a musical force but also underscored her creative contributions to the visual aspects of her artistry.
