Doja Cat on her approach to her latest album ‘Scarlet’ :
“I made sure that I didn’t push myself too hard. I don’t need to prove myself…I don’t need to be the best rapper alive. What I’m gonna do is go in the studio and make sht that I enjoy making…Nothing is ever that serious…I have a lot of filler on this album. There was a lot of expectations but I’m happy with the album and I’m really excited for the future.”
When I first heard this, I was taken aback that she would admit that she didn’t care about her skill being on point or some bars being filler. However, I realized that it has to do with control. Doja not falling victim to the character that other people want her to be gives her the ability to express herself freely:
“I’m not gonna make everyone happy…and I know that I’m not, and that’s freed me immensely.”
I think trying to be the artist who social media and some of her fans want her to be has been something she’s dealt with for a long time, so the darker persona is her shedding these expectations:
“The spider [on the album cover] is supposed to represent me coming face to face with my fears and taking control of them.”
On one hand, I want her to be the best rapper she can be but on the other hand, I appreciate her honesty and don’t think creatives need to meet any sort of standard that they didn’t set for themselves.
Thoughts on Doja’s approach?