Reading Time: 2 min read

4 out of 5 stars

Doja Cat, "Say So" (Ft. Nicki Minaj) [Photo Credits: Kemosabe / RCA]Doja Cat enlists Grammy-nominated rapper Nicki Minaj for an enjoyable, infectious, and satisfying remix of her hit single, “Say So.”

In 2018, much of the world was introduced to bold, unapologetic rapper/singer Doja Cat. In 2019 Amala Zandile Dlamini returned with her sophomore album, Hot Pink. A defining characteristic of the album? Why Sex, sex, and more SEX.  Doja did manage to score a big hit from Hot Pink with “Say So.” I won’t lie to you though. I wasn’t necessarily wowed by “Say So” when reviewing Hot Pink, at least not to the degree that it ‘blew up.’ I was more or less indifferent, I suppose, characterizing it as being a groovy, infectious urban-pop joint that was less raunchy compared to other songs.  Reexamining, I can understand why it became a hit.  Hearing it remixed, with the help of Nicki Minaj, I definitely see the appeal.

 

First and foremost, let me make it clear that Doja Cat didn’t need Nicki Minaj to make “Say So” a hit – she did that on her own.  Had Nicki never contributed a bar, Amala secured a certified bop.  That said, I do like what Nicki Minaj brings to the table.  Following the catchy chorus by D.C., Nicki goes right to work.  She’s confident, drippy, and drops some clever, eyebrow-raising bars for sure:

“Used to be bi, but now I’m just hetero
Ain’t talkin’ medicine, but I made him more a fiend
Ever since I put the cookie on quarantine
He know this thing A1 like a felony
All he gotta do is say the word like a spelling bee.”

Holy $h!t! How else can you really respond? Doja Cat responds with that superb chorus, and of course, the second verse from the original.  Sure, she’s tamer than usual, but we still get plenty of sexual innuendo, as well as ending with a bang – or leading up to banging as she references “Ass and titties.” Anyways, it’s not the last we hear of Nicki tho! We get an outro referencing COVID-19 (“I got dressed just to sit in the house”) as well as talking some ish (“Why you talkin’ ‘bout who body fake? / With all them fillers in your face, you just full of hate”).


Final Thoughts 

Reevaluating “Say So,” what a bop.  Listening to the “Say So (Remix)” with Nicki Minaj – what a treat! Remixes can be bops or total flops.  This one is a bop!

4 out of 5 stars


Doja Cat • “Say So (Remix)” (Ft. Nicki Minaj) • Kemosabe / RCA • Release: 5.1.20
Photo Credits: Kemosabe / RCA

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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