| "Demons" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single by Doja Cat | |
| from the album Scarlet | |
| Released | September 1, 2023 |
| Recorded | 2023 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:15 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | D.A. Got That Dope |
| Music video | |
| "Demons" on YouTube | |
"Demons" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat from her fourth studio album, Scarlet (2023). It was released on September 1, 2023, through Kemosabe and RCA Records as the second promotional single. [1] The song is produced by American record producer D.A. Got That Dope. [2]
Doja Cat first alluded to a demon-inspired theme in early March 2023, when she changed her profile picture on TikTok to that of a demon and posted outtakes of a photoshoot that show her dressed as a demon. [3] A set of blood-stained photos she shared on Instagram on July 12 was further described as "demonic" and "creepy". [4] "Demons" as a title was first revealed as part of the tracklist along with a short snippet in April 2023. [5]
On August 27, 2023, Doja shared a still of the upcoming music video that shows her sitting in a bathtub filled with a thick black liquid and a sharp-nailed demon holding her head while possessing her. [6] She announced the single on her social media on August 28, 2023. In the cover art for the song, the rapper is seen standing upside down from a living room ceiling with the words "Demons" written on the carpet while being covered in black body paint, widely referred to as the "backroom" aesthetic. [7] After the release of her previous single "Paint the Town Red" and its associated "death-related" imagery, "Demons" is seen as a continuation of said visual theme. [6]
"Demons" was well received by critics. On "Demons", Robin Murray of Clash described Doja Cat as an "American cross-genre inferno" with the track being "instantly infectious, with her biting rhymes cutting deeper than most". [8] RGM praised the track, sharing that Doja Cat "spits bars like she's on the TDE roster". [9]
"Demons" was noted by critics as being a change in sound for Doja Cat. Thania Garcia and McKinley Franklin of Variety commented that on "Demons", "the track sees Doja trade in her pop sound that fans fell in love with on "Say So" for a more rap-centric aura". [10] Jon Stickler of Stereoboard commented that "the trap-inspired tune deals in punchy beats and layered synths that provide a foundation to lyrics addressing the recent criticism about her personal life". [11] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine stated that "the three-minute 'Demons' kicks off with a heavy, distorted beat and menacingly looped string sample, further fulfilling Doja Cat's promise that her latest album will eschew pop for a harder-edged hip-hop sound". [12]
"Demons" additionally drew comparisons to the work of many other artists. Pitchfork 's Shaad D'Souza compared the beat to a "pop-ified" version of Tyler, the Creator's work circa Goblin , while comparing Doja's "clipped" flow to a text-to-speech app, characterizing the song as "smart, sinister, and knowingly dumb, all at the same time." [13] Tom Breihan of Stereogum compared the song to the works of Baby Keem, stating that the song's production "samples a shrill shriek of strings, transforming it into something choppy and brittle, while Doja Cat raps in a squeaky, affected toddler voice". [14] RGM additionally compared Doja Cat on "Demons", stating "at times, she sounds like Nicki Minaj, then channels Kendrick Lamar, and even takes on the persona of an irate teacher". [9]
After premiering at Cinespia in Los Angeles on August 27, 2023, [15] the trailer for the music video was later uploaded onto Doja Cat's official website, [16] revealing it to be directed by Christian Breslauer and co-starring actress Christina Ricci. [17]
The video features Doja in a demonic form, haunting a house and terrifying the people who live inside before driving them away; her supposedly demonic form was created with full-body makeup. D'Souza dubbed the video a "miniature horror film that's creepier and more fun than pretty much anything Blumhouse put out last year." He further praised Doja for keeping the "art of the iconic music video" alive, calling her "one of the form's few remaining practitioners". [13] Charisma Madarang of Rolling Stone described the music video as "a stunning flex of macabre", noting its homages to the films, Poltergeist (1982) and The Shining (1980). [18]
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) [21] | 77 |
| Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA) [22] | 20 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [23] | 53 |
| Global 200 ( Billboard ) [24] | 65 |
| Greece International (IFPI) [25] | 45 |
| Ireland (IRMA) [26] | 70 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [27] | 4 |
| UK Singles (OCC) [28] | 53 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [29] | 24 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 [30] | 46 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [31] | 12 |
| US TikTok Billboard Top 50 ( Billboard ) [32] | 37 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [33] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, known professionally as Doja Cat, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she began making and releasing music on SoundCloud as a teenager. Her song "So High" caught the attention of Kemosabe and RCA Records, with whom she signed a recording contract prior to the release of her debut extended play, Purrr! in 2014.
The discography of Doja Cat, an American rapper and singer, consists of four studio albums, one extended play (EP), 44 singles, 33 music videos, and nine promotional singles. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Doja Cat has sold 34 million certified albums and singles in the United States as a lead artist. Doja Cat self-released her debut single, "So High", before releasing her debut extended play (EP), Purrr! (2014). Following the release of Amala (2018) and a viral success of the song "Mooo!" in August of that same year, all of these songs such as "Candy", "Tia Tamera", and "Juicy" became sleeper hits, prompting Doja Cat to release the deluxe edition of Amala in early 2019. Capitalizing on her growing popularity, her second studio album, Hot Pink (2019), ultimately charted in the top ten on the US Billboard 200; as well as the top 20 of countries such as Australia, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands and New Zealand. Hot Pink spawned the breakthrough single "Say So", and a remix featuring Nicki Minaj became Doja Cat's first number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"Juicy" is a song recorded by American rapper and singer Doja Cat. It was included on the deluxe edition of her debut studio album Amala, released on March 1, 2019. A remix version featuring American rapper Tyga was released as the lead single from her second studio album Hot Pink on August 15, 2019. The song was written by Doja Cat, along with Lydia Asrat and producers Yeti Beats and Dr. Luke, under his pseudonym Tyson Trax.
Hot Pink is the second studio album by American rapper Doja Cat. It was released on November 7, 2019, by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records. A departure from the sound of her debut album Amala (2018), Hot Pink is a pop, hip hop, and R&B record containing elements of funk and soul. The album features production from Doja herself, Yeti Beats, Tyson Trax, and others, with guest appearances from Smino, Gucci Mane, and Tyga.
"Rules" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat, released on October 24, 2019, as the third single from her second studio album Hot Pink (2019). The song was written by Doja Cat, Yeti Beats, Lydia Asrat, Uptown AP of R. City, and producers Salaam Remi, Tyson Trax, and Ben Billions. Soon after its release, the song became popular on Twitter, and Doja Cat's performance was noted to be influenced by Kendrick Lamar.
"Like That" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat featuring fellow American rapper Gucci Mane. It was written by both artists along with Theron Thomas, Lydia Asrat, David Sprecher, and producers Dr. Luke and Mike Crook. Originally included as a track on Doja Cat's second studio album Hot Pink (2019), it became a single on May 12, 2020, following a viral dance challenge using the song on the app TikTok.
Pretty Bitch Music is the forthcoming debut studio album by American rapper Saweetie, which is expected to be released in 2025 by Artistry, Warner Records and her own label Icy Records. The album was originally due to be released on June 25, 2021, but Saweetie delayed the album in order to "reconstruct" some songs. It is expected to be supported by the singles "Tap In", "Back to the Streets" featuring Jhené Aiko, "Best Friend" featuring Doja Cat, "Fast (Motion)", and "Closer" featuring H.E.R.
"Best Friend" is a song by American rapper Saweetie featuring fellow American rapper and singer Doja Cat, released on January 7, 2021 as the third single from Saweetie's upcoming debut studio album Pretty Bitch Music. The song was written by the two performers along with Asia Smith, Kaine, Theron Thomas, and producers Dr. Luke and Rocco Did It Again!.
Planet Her is the third studio album by American rapper Doja Cat. It was released on June 25, 2021, by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records. The album, titled after a fictional planet created by Doja Cat, is an amalgamation of pop, hip hop, and R&B styles. Lyrically, the album touches on femininity, solitude, romance, and sexuality, among other topics.
"Get Into It (Yuh)" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat from her third studio album Planet Her (2021). Doja co-wrote the track with its producers, Y2K and Sully. It was released through Kemosabe and RCA Records alongside the parent album as an album track. Following the album's release, it entered various international music charts due to going viral on the video-sharing app TikTok. Following premiere of the music video on January 31, 2022, the song was released to radio as the album's fifth and final single on March 11, 2022.
"You Right" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from Doja Cat's third studio album, Planet Her. It was released through Kemosabe and RCA Records on June 25, 2021, as the second single of the album, which was released on the same day. The song officially impacted American contemporary hit radio and rhythmic contemporary radio on June 29. The track received acclaim from music critics. Commercially, the song reached the top 15 in eleven countries and reached number 12 on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
"Woman" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat from her third studio album Planet Her (2021). It has been described as a fusion of Afrobeats, pop, and R&B, with the lyrical themes of divine femininity and feminism. After gaining popularity in Europe, where it entered the top 10 in countries like Greece, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Lithuania and Portugal, the song impacted Italian radio airplay as the album's fourth single on October 1, 2021. It was sent to American mainstream and rhythmic contemporary radios on December 14, 2021. The song was a sleeper success, spending several months on the charts before slowly climbing to the top 10. For the chart dated May 7, 2022, the song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, nearly a year after it debuted.
"Handstand" is a song by Moroccan-American rapper French Montana and American rapper and singer Doja Cat featuring fellow American rapper Saweetie, from French Montana's fourth studio album They Got Amnesia. It was written by the rappers, Darryl Clemons, Kevin Price, Jaucquez Lowe, and Hitmaka, with Hitmaka serving as one of the track's producers along with Pooh Beatz, Go Grizzly, and London Jae. The song interpolates Cash Money's 2000 single Project Chick and Big Pun's 2000 single "It's So Hard". It received favorable reviews from the music critics, who deemed the track as suitable for dancing.
"Doja" is a song by American rappers Snot and ASAP Rocky. It was released on February 4, 2022 as the second single from Snot's third studio album Ethereal (2022) and was produced by Dee B. The song caused some controversy over misheard lyrics regarding singer and rapper Doja Cat.
"Freaky Deaky" is a song by American rappers Tyga and Doja Cat. It was released on February 25, 2022, as the intended lead single of the former's upcoming eighth studio album. Written by the performers alongside Alyssa Cantu and producers Brandon Hamlin, Dr. Luke, Mike Crook, and Ryan Ogren, it is a pop-driven track featuring a lullaby-like hook built around an interpolation of the 1987 song "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega, who received a songwriting credit. The track sees rappers discussing their sexual preferences over a catchy and upbeat tune. Conceived around two years before the release, the single marks the second collaboration between the rappers since 2019, when Tyga was featured on the remix of Doja Cat's "Juicy".
Scarlet is the fourth studio album by American rapper Doja Cat. It was released through Kemosabe and RCA Records on September 22, 2023. Disillusioned with pop music and dissatisfied with music critics questioning her status as a rapper, Doja Cat felt inspired to create a "masculine" follow-up to her third studio album, Planet Her (2021). Her first project with no features since her debut extended play, Purrr! (2014), the record marks a departure from the pop-driven sounds of its predecessor, being predominantly centered around rapping.
"Attention" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat. Written alongside producers Rogét Chahayed and Y2K, it was released on June 16, 2023, through Kemosabe and RCA Records as the first promotional single from her fourth studio album Scarlet, alongside a music video directed by Tanu Muino.
"Paint the Town Red" is a song track by American rapper and singer Doja Cat from her fourth studio album, Scarlet (2023). It was released on August 4, 2023, through Kemosabe and RCA Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Doja Cat and produced by Earl on the Beat, Rubin, Jean-Baptiste, and DJ Replay. The track samples Dionne Warwick's 1964 song "Walk On By". In the lyrics, the rapper dismisses her critics and asserts her own identity following arguments with fans on social media.
"Balut" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat from her fourth studio album, Scarlet (2023). It was released on September 15, 2023, through Kemosabe and RCA Records as the third promotional single from the album. Written by Doja Cat, Y2K and Rogét Chahayed, who also produced the song with Yeti Beats, it is a downtempo boom bap song characterized by bass-heavy lofi beats and ethereal melodies.
"Agora Hills" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat from her fourth studio album, Scarlet (2023). It was released along with the album on September 22, 2023, through Kemosabe and RCA Records as the second and final single from the album. A R&B-infused slow jam with a trap beat, it finds Doja Cat discussing the ways in which she wants to flaunt her partner, despite the pressures of fame and secrecy. Directed by Hannah Lux Davis, the accompanying music video is 1990s-inspired and sees her traversing an apocalyptic California landscape with her supernatural female friends. The song is named after Agoura Hills, which is a city in California.
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