Doja Cat, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini on October 21, 1995, in Los Angeles, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who achieved mainstream success through viral social media content and genre-blending music. After uploading tracks to SoundCloud as a teenager, she secured a recording contract at seventeen and gained widespread recognition with 2018’s viral hit “Mooo!” Her subsequent albums, including *Hot Pink* and *Planet Her*, produced multiple chart-topping singles and established her as a defining pop figure whose career trajectory reveals fascinating insights.
A meteoric rise from internet obscurity to mainstream stardom defines the career trajectory of Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, known professionally as Doja Cat, who has emerged as one of the most influential pop artists of the 2020s. Born on October 21, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, she was raised in both California and New York during childhood by parents from creative backgrounds, with her mother working as a painter and her father as an actor. Her stage name reflects both her love for cats and interest in marijuana culture, with “doja” referring to weed and “cat” honoring her pets.
Demonstrating early commitment to her artistic ambitions, Dlamini dropped out of high school at age 16 to pursue music full-time, beginning her career by uploading tracks to SoundCloud as a teenager. Her first major upload, “So High,” appeared in 2012 and subsequently gained enough attention to secure her a recording contract with Kemosabe Records and RCA Records at age 17. Her official debut came with the EP *Purrr!* in 2014, followed by several years of experimentation with different musical styles and self-production before a brief hiatus.
Dlamini’s strategic career pivot from high school dropout to SoundCloud sensation demonstrates the calculated risk-taking that defined her early artistic trajectory.
The artist’s breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the viral novelty single “Mooo!,” which leveraged internet meme culture and rapidly accumulated millions of views, introducing audiences to her unique humor and quirky persona. This viral success preceded her debut album *Amala* in 2018, though the record achieved limited initial impact.
Her second album, *Hot Pink*, released in 2019, marked a significant commercial breakthrough by reaching the US Billboard 200 top ten and featuring multiple hit singles, including “Say So.” The “Say So” remix featuring Nicki Minaj reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020, establishing Doja Cat’s mainstream credentials.
Her third album, *Planet Her*, spent four weeks at number two on the Billboard 200 in 2021 and produced several top ten singles. The 2023 release *Scarlet* marked a shift toward hip-hop, with lead single “Paint the Town Red” becoming her first solo Billboard Hot 100 number one. She later showcased the album’s material during her Coachella headline performance in April 2024, featuring guest appearances from prominent artists.
Musically, Doja Cat blends hip-hop, pop, R&B, and electronic elements while frequently self-producing tracks and writing lyrics, creating a distinctive style influenced by artists ranging from Nicki Minaj to Erykah Badu. Her achievements include Grammy Awards, multi-platinum certifications for songs like “Say So” and “Woman,” and recognition as a defining pop figure who successfully leveraged social media platforms to build her career. Her accomplishments also include sixteen Grammy nominations, making her one of the most recognized artists in recent award ceremonies.
