Born and raised in Los Angeles in a family of artists (her mother was a painter and her father an actor and a musician), Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini became Doja Cat in 2013, when she released her first single «So High» on Soundcloud. The track, a mix of R&B, soft pop and rap, quickly became a great success on the platform. Vibe Magazine described the musician as“ an 18 years-old psychedelicprodigy ”and she quickly drew the attention of record companies. She signed a contract with RCA Records and released her first EP «Purrr !» in 2014.
The story of Doja Cat had just begun. While she was only 18
years old, the musician became a popstar and started to
collaborate with artists such as OG Maco and Dream Koala.
The video clip of «So High» was released in 2014 and it
revealed the universe of Doja Cat: mystical, colourful and
psychedelic, mixing hovering ambiences and raw lyrics. In the
video, the singer appeared as a Hindu goddess and declared
to the French website Konbini: “ I have lived in an ashram and
practiced this religion for three years. Hinduism has inspired
me a lot (...) The universe of the clip comes from my personal
life, from my past ”. Beside her interest in religion, Doja Cat has
also never hidden her taste for marijuana. We could say that
marijuana might have been the main influence of Doja’ cloudy
beats and dreamy synths, at the beginning of her career.
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First of all, congratulations on your award “Best New Artist of the Year”, at the MTV VMA. When you began to play music, did you imagine getting an award like this? What does this achievement feel like?
I would never have imagined it. I feel extremely loved, very grateful and flattered by all the people that are supporting and loving my music.
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The creativity, the vibe, and the visual direction of « Say So » is mind blowing. We have heard this song all over Europe this summer. How did you create the story of this video, and did you imagine that the song would have such an impact?
For the video of «Say So», I worked alongside Hanna Lux Davis. Hannah and I decided that the track would perfectly fit a 70’s theme video. When I began making the song, I definitely wanted to pull elements of the 70’s and incorporate them to the song itself; and I think Hanna absolutely nailed it. I didn’t know people would love 70’s pop as much as they did, so I’m glad my fans enjoyed it!
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You are very involved in the direction of all your videos and in the creative process. Would you like to be a director for other artists?
Sometimes I imagine it, but I’m not fully dedicated to that yet.
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Tell us how you work with directors, and how you come up with a finished product. What is your creative process, how do you work? And where do you start from, when you create your songs?
I like to start by writing the treatment in my notes app, after the song is complete. We start drawing up mood boards with themes, and sift through sketches of costume design with my stylist Brett Alan Nelson. I’m not as involved on set design but I describe my vision to everyone, and I feel blessed to know that everyone I worked with has delivered it beautifully.
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Every video, every new single shows a different style and another side of Doja. What can we expect in the coming months in terms of aesthetics, projects and collaborations?
How I present myself visually means a lot to me and I like to keep those things secret, but nevertheless I’m definitely keeping it theatrical and fun!
-
First of all, congratulations on your award “Best New Artist of the Year”, at the MTV VMA. When you began to play music, did you imagine getting an award like this? What does this achievement feel like?
I would never have imagined it. I feel extremely loved, very grateful and flattered by all the people that are supporting and loving my music.
-
The creativity, the vibe, and the visual direction of « Say So » is mind blowing. We have heard this song all over Europe this summer. How did you create the story of this video, and did you imagine that the song would have such an impact?
For the video of «Say So», I worked alongside Hanna Lux Davis. Hannah and I decided that the track would perfectly fit a 70’s theme video. When I began making the song, I definitely wanted to pull elements of the 70’s and incorporate them to the song itself; and I think Hanna absolutely nailed it. I didn’t know people would love 70’s pop as much as they did, so I’m glad my fans enjoyed it!
-
You are very involved in the direction of all your videos and in the creative process. Would you like to be a director for other artists?
Sometimes I imagine it, but I’m not fully dedicated to that yet.
-
Tell us how you work with directors, and how you come up with a finished product. What is your creative process, how do you work? And where do you start from, when you create your songs?
I like to start by writing the treatment in my notes app, after the song is complete. We start drawing up mood boards with themes, and sift through sketches of costume design with my stylist Brett Alan Nelson. I’m not as involved on set design but I describe my vision to everyone, and I feel blessed to know that everyone I worked with has delivered it beautifully.
-
Every video, every new single shows a different style and another side of Doja. What can we expect in the coming months in terms of aesthetics, projects and collaborations?
How I present myself visually means a lot to me and I like to keep those things secret, but nevertheless I’m definitely keeping it theatrical and fun!
-
How would you qualify your music and do you consider yourself more like a rapper or a singer today?
I consider myself both singer and rapper equally, and I am striving to be the best I can be in both fields.
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Could you describe the difference between your first album« Amala » and your second album « Hot Pink »?
The genres displayed in « Hot Pink » are more well captured, more self aware, and my vocal ability has strengthened since « Amala ». We’ve also experimented with different moods and different themes lyrically and musically in « Hot Pink ».
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The theme of sexuality comes up very often in your songs. Andin recent years, this fight for equality and emancipation has come a long way in the world of music. How would you define yourself in terms of all your emancipatory feminine projects and music?
Well, I am very inspired by love and sex and rebellion, and I think that the category I remain in the most is love.
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There are two women in your life: Doja Cat and Amala. How are they complementing and helping each other?
I feel like the creativity and expression while being Doja Cat allows me, Amala, to feel a release of just that.
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What would your dream collaboration be and what’s next for Doja Cat?
I don’t really have a dream collaboration. I’m just excited for new art and if I’m a part of it, that’s a blessing all together. We’re working on music videos and performances, and I don’t want to give too much information. Just know that I’ve never been more excited about my creative career than now
-
How would you qualify your music and do you consider yourself more like a rapper or a singer today?
I consider myself both singer and rapper equally, and I am striving to be the best I can be in both fields.
-
Could you describe the difference between your first album« Amala » and your second album « Hot Pink »?
The genres displayed in « Hot Pink » are more well captured, more self aware, and my vocal ability has strengthened since « Amala ». We’ve also experimented with different moods and different themes lyrically and musically in « Hot Pink ».
-
The theme of sexuality comes up very often in your songs. Andin recent years, this fight for equality and emancipation has come a long way in the world of music. How would you define yourself in terms of all your emancipatory feminine projects and music?
Well, I am very inspired by love and sex and rebellion, and I think that the category I remain in the most is love.
-
There are two women in your life: Doja Cat and Amala. How are they complementing and helping each other?
I feel like the creativity and expression while being Doja Cat allows me, Amala, to feel a release of just that.
-
What would your dream collaboration be and what’s next for Doja Cat?
I don’t really have a dream collaboration. I’m just excited for new art and if I’m a part of it, that’s a blessing all together. We’re working on music videos and performances, and I don’t want to give too much information. Just know that I’ve never been more excited about my creative career than now
Directed & Photographed by GREG SWALES // Creative Direction by AZADEH ZORAGHI // Produced by AGPNYC // Styling by OLGA IANUL // Makeup Artist SIR JOHN // Hair Stylist MISS JAZMEEN // Manicurist SACCIA // Set Design LUCY HOLT
Narcisse Magazine - Issue 10
DOJA CAT
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