Doja Cat, Hot Pink | Album Review 💿

Bold rapper and singer Doja Cat (Amala Zandile Dlamini) delivers a hearty helping of sex on her sophomore album, Hot Pink. 

“Go down, go down, go down, yeah / Let me see you go to town, yeah.” In 2018, much of the world was introduced to bold, unapologetic rapper/singer Doja Cat.  The lyrics hail from “Go to Town”, a standout single from her debut album, Amala.  Now, more than a year later, Amala Zandile Dlamini is back with her sophomore album, Hot Pink. A defining characteristic of Hot Pink? Sex, sex, and more sex – would you expect any less from D.C.?

“Cyber Sex”

Doja Cat commences Hot Pink unapologetically with ✓ “Cyber Sex.” Throughout the course of the relatively brief number, the sex is amplified to the nth degree.  A prime example: “Pussy all pink with a tan / And I play with it ‘til my middle fingers are cramped up.” My, my, my. In regard to the performance, she balances rapping and singing, making her point loud and clear.

Rapper Smino joins her (second verse) on the follow-up cut, “Won’t Bite.” Here, Doja blends pop, hip-hop, and reggae.  The chorus in particular is drenched in the sound of the tropics, to an exaggerated degree. Sure, it’s quite tongue-in-cheek, but the chorus is catchy:

“Closer to me, baby, I won’t bite
You look so tasty, but I won’t bite, really
I’m such a good kitty, don’t put up fights
But if you trick me, baby, It gon’ get sticky
I might (Might just), bite (I might just) …”

✓ “Rules” appears as the third track off of Hot Pink and the second advance single.  Doja Cat drops another bold, naughty chorus at the onset.  What does it encompass? Sex, sex, and more sex.  Give her credit for the attitude, and arguably, even her raw approach.  If nothing else, throughout the verses, she serves up a nice flow, even if there’s a clear lack of depth, unless you consider ‘sex’ deep.

“Bottom Bitch”

Doja Cat definitely raised eyebrows with the crowning achievement from Hot Pink, ✓ “Bottom Bitch”, co-written and co-produced with Yeti Beats. Notably, Blink-182 receives co-writing credits thanks to a sample of their classic, “What’s My Age Again?”.  Like the previous three songs, the lyrics are aggressive.  Interestingly, she references pimping at the beginning as she sings the chorus (this is where bottom bitch comes into play):

“Ooh, that’s my trick
I’m her pimp
She my flip
Ooh, don’t forget
That’s my trick
She’s my bottom bitch…”

On the verses, she maintains toughness.  “She just like a pro / She just wanna blow up / If you’re talkin’ shit / Wipe your spit off my nuts,” she sings. While there is more than its fair share of sexual innuendo and references, this outlandish cut feels more like a truly committed friendship than say a relationship.  The second verse continues to find her elevating her ‘bottom bitch’ on a pedestal.

“Say So” 

“Say So” is a bit of a departure from the majority of Hot Pink.  This is a groovy, infectious, urban-pop joint.  It’s also not quite as raunchy, but don’t call Doja Cat refined.  Sex remains present, with both innuendo and outright explicitness in play.  Gucci Mane joins the show on the relatively brief “Like That.” Notably, “Like That” samples the The Isley Bros. 80s classic, “Between the Sheets.” Like previous numbers, the chorus is where Doja’s ‘bread is buttered’ (“That’s my shit, that’s my wave”).  As for Gucci, well, the second verse is ‘been there, done that’ flex action.

“Talk Dirty” doesn’t leave much to the imagination, but subtlety isn’t really Doja Cat’s style.  Her flow is explosive mind you, even if her subject matter is limited (there are more than enough references to the ‘kitty’ throughout Hot Pink).  Her sung moments are quite respectable, bringing some refinement to a very unrefined effort. The production by Kurtis McKenzie and f a l l e n is slick and quite sound if nothing else.  “Addiction” switches producers once more, a trend of the album. P2J and Ari PenSmith hook up Doja with rhythmic synths and another irresistible groove.  One of the biggest selling points is the falsetto she serves up – don’t let the sex talk overshadow her potential and overall talent.  R&B Doja Cat is a winning formula as well.

“Streets” 

“Streets” features some fine singing, much like “Addiction” that precedes it.  For much of the song, it also seems as if Doja Cat is going to rein herself in.  Of course, the second verse finds her rapping once more and dropping a couple of bombs in the process (“Damn papa, you a rare weed, no comparing / And it’s motherfuckin’ scary”).  If nothing else, the vibe is winning on “Streets.” “Shine” keeps things short and gives the listener a heavy dose of autotune when she sings. One of a couple of TYSON TRAX productions, the backdrop works out well for DC.

A new track brings a new group of producers: TROY NöKA, Yeti Beats, and Johng Beats. An assortment of producers is simply how it rolls on Hot Pink. Penultimate record ✓ “Better Than Me” gets one of the smoothest, most soulful backdrops.  Doja Cat ‘rides the beat well’ yet remains true to self. “Better than me,” she sings on the chorus, “All of them bitches ain’t better than me.” ✓ “Juicy” concludes Hot Pink with a banger, enlisting the services of Tyga.  It marks the final production by TYSON TRAX, with Yeti Beats co-producing as well.  Unsurprisingly, the sex is pronounced.  “If you could see it from the front / Wait ‘til you see it from the back, back, back, back back, juicy,” she sings on the chorus.  Expectedly, Tyga is in the zone – “I’m a big dog, tryna eat the kitty cat, cat.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Doja Cat delivers an enjoyable sophomore album with Hot Pink.  This project isn’t ‘the second coming’ mind you, but the rapper/singer musters up her fair share of moments. The biggest rub is the fact that she overindulges in sex, and at times, seems to have nothing else truly notable to say.  Still, there is more than enough on Hot Pink to showcase Doja’s talent.

Gems: “Cyber Sex,” “Rules,” “Bottom Bitch,” “Better Than Me” & “Juicy”

Doja Cat • Hot Pink • Kemosabe / RCA • Release: 11.7.19

Photo Credits: Kemosabe / RCA