Doja Cat talks new musical direction and cites rave culture as an influence
The singer and rapper is gearing up for her fourth album
By Joe Goggins
Doja Cat has offered hints as to the musical direction of her next album in a new interview.
Discussing the recent trend of major pop artists experimenting with electronic textures — particularly ‘Renaissance’ by Beyoncé, as well as Drake’s recent paean to house music, ‘Honestly, Nevermind’ — the rapper and singer told CR Fashion Book, “I know that’s kind of the trend at the moment but I loved that stuff as a kid and now that I can express it (obviously, I couldn’t buzz my head and wear a furry bra and have a belly button piercing back then), I’m sort of embracing that. That’s kind of a hint to the album. Rave culture, not house.”
She went on to specify how exactly the rave influence might work its way into the fourth album. “I just know there’s a lot going on. I’m very into this nineties German rave kind of vibe right now and it’s really fun.” She had already suggested in an earlier interview, this time with Elle back in May, that the next record would be “predominantly rap”, as she took aim at critics who dismissed her abilities in that particular arena.
“I’ve rapped since the beginning, and I really couldn’t even sing that well to begin with — I got a lot better,” said Doja, who’s biggest hits have generally lent more heavily on melody and, thus, on her skills as a singer — ‘Kiss Me More’ and ‘Say So’ included. “I use my voice as a tool to create these worlds, and it’s fine if people think that I can’t rap.”
The suggestion that work is well underway on her fourth album marks a major turnaround from the beginning of the year, when Doja toyed with the idea of leaving the music industry behind; she then underwent tonsil surgery in May, hinting to fans that her vocal capabilities might be permanently compromised.
She has, however, since released the Post Malone collaboration ‘I Like You (A Happier Song)’, and chipped in to the soundtrack for Baz Lurhmann’s Elvis, with the song ‘Vegas’. She’s also been confirmed to make an appearance on the next M.I.A. record.