Doja Cat: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Doja Cat's map runs from Y2K pop-rap and neo-soul through her father's South African stage legacy, LA's Odd Future-adjacent scene, and the anime she streams between albums. She is a SoundCloud-era absurdist who became an arena pop star, and the mix tracks both halves. It ends with the Afropop and viral-rap successors who grew up on her.

The Kynda mix for Doja Cat

• Key Influence · Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj (2010). Doja has repeatedly named Nicki Minaj as the template for what she wanted to be: a rapper who could also carry a pop hook, switch cartoon voices mid-verse and dominate visuals. Pink Friday is the album that proved a female rapper could top pop radio without abandoning punchlines, and its alter-ego play and sung choruses map directly onto the Hot Pink and Planet Her approach. Doja later guested with Minaj on a remix of 'Say So'.
• Influencia Obscura · Sarafina! by Darrell Roodt (1992). Doja's father is the South African actor and dancer Dumisani Dlamini, who played Crocodile in the film and stage versions of Sarafina!, the anti-apartheid musical. She has discussed her Zulu heritage and her distant relationship with him; her Doja Cat persona and surname Dlamini carry that lineage. The film's blend of township music, protest and theatrical performance is the family inheritance behind her stagecraft.
• Local Roots · IGOR by Tyler, the Creator (2019). Tyler and Doja are both products of greater Los Angeles' internet-native rap scene, where shock humor, DIY video-making and genre promiscuity were the entry fee. IGOR is the record where that scene's enfant terrible fully became a pop auteur singing through pitch-shifted voices — the exact arc Doja ran in parallel. They have collaborated live, and Tyler's Camp Flog Gnaw festival is a shared LA institution.
• Beyond the Medium · Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi (1991). Doja is an unabashed anime obsessive who has cosplayed, referenced series on stream and built visual worlds out of magical-girl transformation logic. Sailor Moon's costume changes, pastel-cosmic palette and heroine-with-attitude archetype run straight through the Planet Her imagery and her video art direction. The idea that femininity is a costume you power up into is the aesthetic engine of her whole persona.
• Peer · Ctrl by SZA (2017). SZA and Doja are the defining women of the same streaming-era R&B-pop moment and later shared the Grammy-winning 'Kiss Me More.' Ctrl is the record that reset the terms — diaristic, funny, sexually frank, structurally loose — and gave Doja's generation permission to be unglamorous in the lyric while immaculate in the production. The two have toured in overlapping circuits and swap verses with easy chemistry.
• From the Canon · Amala by Doja Cat (2018). Her debut, named for her birth name, is the record of the artist before the internet reframed her — jazzy, neo-soul-indebted, sung more than rapped, and commercially ignored until 'Mooo!' detonated months later and prompted a deluxe reissue. Amala explains everything that followed: the Badu-inflected musicality was always the foundation, and the viral absurdism was the delivery mechanism she bolted on top of it.
• Key Collaborator · Animal by Kesha (2010). Dr. Luke, credited on Doja's records under names including Tyson Trax, has been the central architect of her commercial sound since the Amala era, co-producing 'Say So' and much of Planet Her. Animal is the clearest earlier statement of his method: enormous, gleaming pop choruses welded to a rapped-sung, comic, party-brat vocal persona. The through-line from Kesha's delivery to Doja's chart records is unmistakable.
• Legacy · Like..? by Ice Spice (2023). Ice Spice's rise followed the path Doja charted: a viral moment converted into chart dominance, a personality cultivated online as much as on record, and a deadpan comic tone that disarms the conventional rap-star posture. The two recorded together on the 'Boy's a Liar Pt. 2' adjacent wave of 2023 crossovers, and Ice Spice's playful, meme-fluent approach is unimaginable without Doja's precedent.

What influenced Doja Cat

• Erykah Badu. Badu is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. (also via Baduizm) “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Missy Elliott. Elliott is listed among Doja Cat's cited major influences. “Additionally, Doja Cat has cited Rihanna , [ 249 ] [ 51 ] Beyoncé , [ 250 ] [ 251 ] D'Angelo , [ 249 ] Missy Elliott , [ 252 ] Christina Aguilera , [ 253 ] Pharrell Williams , [ 254 ] and Lil' Kim [ 255 ] as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Sarafina! by Darrell Roodt (1992). Sarafina! (Darrell Roodt) — ghost for Doja Cat “Dumisani Dlamini (Zulu: ['ɮamini]; born 23 October 1963) is a South African actor and dancer best known for playing Crocodile in Sarafina!” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Lauryn Hill (1975). Doja Cat names Hill among her biggest influences. “She has also named Lauryn Hill and Busta Rhymes as some of her biggest influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Beyoncé. Beyoncé is listed among Doja Cat's cited major influences. “Additionally, Doja Cat has cited Rihanna , [ 249 ] [ 51 ] Beyoncé , [ 250 ] [ 251 ] D'Angelo , [ 249 ] Missy Elliott , [ 252 ] Christina Aguilera , [ 253 ] Pharrell Williams , [ 254 ] and Lil' Kim [ 255 ] as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Fugees. The Fugees are named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Aaliyah (1989). Aaliyah is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Janet Jackson (1966). The page reports Doja Cat's stated admiration for Jackson. “In an interview with Big Boy , she stated her admiration for Janet Jackson and Prince .” (Wikipedia)
• Seal. Seal is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Lil' Kim (1994). Lil' Kim is listed among Doja Cat's cited major influences. “Additionally, Doja Cat has cited Rihanna , [ 249 ] [ 51 ] Beyoncé , [ 250 ] [ 251 ] D'Angelo , [ 249 ] Missy Elliott , [ 252 ] Christina Aguilera , [ 253 ] Pharrell Williams , [ 254 ] and Lil' Kim [ 255 ] as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Handmade Cities by Plini. A Doja Cat performance sampled Plini's composition. “Her performance was criticized for sampling Plini 's " Handmade Cities " without permission.” (Wikipedia)
• Baduizm by Erykah Badu (1997). Baduizm (Erykah Badu) — titan for Doja Cat “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees, Erykah Badu, Jamiroquai, Earth, Win…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• TLC. TLC is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Busta Rhymes by Busta Rhymes. The page quotes Doja Cat describing how Rhymes influences her flow. “While speaking about Busta Rhymes, she stated: "if I hear a beat Busta Rhymes would absolutely kill, I'll use my voice to do a flow similar to his."” (Wikipedia)
• DMX. DMX is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• D'Angelo. D'Angelo is listed among Doja Cat's cited major influences. “Additionally, Doja Cat has cited Rihanna , [ 249 ] [ 51 ] Beyoncé , [ 250 ] [ 251 ] D'Angelo , [ 249 ] Missy Elliott , [ 252 ] Christina Aguilera , [ 253 ] Pharrell Williams , [ 254 ] and Lil' Kim [ 255 ] as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• India Arie. India Arie is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Prince (1958). The page reports Doja Cat's stated admiration for Prince. “In an interview with Big Boy , she stated her admiration for Janet Jackson and Prince .” (Wikipedia)
• Rihanna (1988). Rihanna is listed among Doja Cat's cited major influences. “Additionally, Doja Cat has cited Rihanna , [ 249 ] [ 51 ] Beyoncé , [ 250 ] [ 251 ] D'Angelo , [ 249 ] Missy Elliott , [ 252 ] Christina Aguilera , [ 253 ] Pharrell Williams , [ 254 ] and Lil' Kim [ 255 ] as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Tupac Shakur. Tupac is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj (2010). Pink Friday (Nicki Minaj) — titan for Doja Cat “In May 2020, following the release of a remix of "Say So" featuring Nicki Minaj, the single topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first number-one single for both artists and the first ever female rap collaboration to peak atop the …” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Black Eyed Peas (1995). Black Eyed Peas is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Christina Aguilera. Aguilera is listed among Doja Cat's cited major influences. “Additionally, Doja Cat has cited Rihanna , [ 249 ] [ 51 ] Beyoncé , [ 250 ] [ 251 ] D'Angelo , [ 249 ] Missy Elliott , [ 252 ] Christina Aguilera , [ 253 ] Pharrell Williams , [ 254 ] and Lil' Kim [ 255 ] as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Earth, Wind & Fire. Earth, Wind & Fire is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• Pharrell Williams. Williams is listed among Doja Cat's cited major influences. “Additionally, Doja Cat has cited Rihanna , [ 249 ] [ 51 ] Beyoncé , [ 250 ] [ 251 ] D'Angelo , [ 249 ] Missy Elliott , [ 252 ] Christina Aguilera , [ 253 ] Pharrell Williams , [ 254 ] and Lil' Kim [ 255 ] as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Jamiroquai. Jamiroquai is named among childhood artists from whom Doja Cat draws inspiration. “She draws inspiration from her background engaging in online activities and delving into subcultures as a suburban teenager, [ 45 ] as well as the artists her mother exposed to her as a child, such as Fugees , Erykah Badu , Jamiroquai , …” (Wikipedia)
• I'm Gay (I'm Happy) by Lil B (2011). I'm Gay (I'm Happy) (Lil B) — ghost for Doja Cat (musicbrainz.org)
• Neon Genesis Evangelion by Hideaki Anno (1995). Neon Genesis Evangelion (Hideaki Anno) — culture for Doja Cat (themoviedb.org)
• Cowboy Bebop by Shinichiro Watanabe (1998). Cowboy Bebop (Shinichiro Watanabe) — culture for Doja Cat (themoviedb.org)
• In Search Of... by N.E.R.D (2002). In Search Of... (N.E.R.D) — titan for Doja Cat
• Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon (Naoko Takeuchi) — culture for Doja Cat

Peers and kindred spirits

• Nicki Minaj by Nicki Minaj. The report identifies a Nicki Minaj remix of Doja Cat’s music. “Doja Cat has recently shared songs with Lil Wayne and the Weeknd ; her Nicki Minaj remix went No. 1 .” (Pitchfork)
• SZA. SZA collaborated with Doja Cat on Kiss Me More. (also via SOS, CTRL) “On April 10, the song " Kiss Me More " featuring SZA was released alongside a music video as the lead single for the album.” (Wikipedia)
• Tyga by Tyga. Tyga contributed a verse to the “Juicy” remix. “A remix version of Doja Cat's song "Juicy", from the deluxe version of Amala , added a verse from American rapper Tyga and was released alongside a music video in August 2019 as the lead single from her second studio album.” (Wikipedia)
• Post Malone by Post Malone. Doja Cat featured on Post Malone's song. “In June 2022, the track " I Like You (A Happier Song) " by Post Malone featuring Doja Cat was released as the third single from the former's fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache (2023).” (Wikipedia)
• The Weeknd by The Weeknd (1990). Doja Cat featured on a remix of the Weeknd's single. “She was featured on a remix of the Weeknd 's single " In Your Eyes " in May 2020, [ 96 ] as well as on the single "Shimmy" by rapper Lil Wayne from the deluxe version of his 2020 album Funeral .” (Wikipedia)
• Saweetie by Saweetie. A contemporaneous report identifies “Best Friend” as Saweetie and Doja Cat’s single. “Saweetie and Doja Cat’s new single “Best Friend” and its accompanying video, which dropped yesterday (Jan. 7), exemplify the persistence of this type of collaboration.” (Paste)
• City Girls by City Girls. Doja Cat featured on City Girls' “Pussy Talk”. “In June, she was featured on the single "Pussy Talk" by the rap duo City Girls .” (Wikipedia)
• Lil Wayne by Lil Wayne. The report states that Doja Cat and Lil Wayne had shared a song. “Doja Cat has recently shared songs with Lil Wayne and the Weeknd ; her Nicki Minaj remix went No. 1 .” (Pitchfork)
• Ariana Grande by Ariana Grande. Doja Cat featured on Grande's “Motive”. “Doja Cat was featured on the album track " Motive " from Ariana Grande 's 2020 album Positions , [ 113 ] which peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming both her highest debut and second-ever top 40 entry.” (Wikipedia)
• Rico Nasty. Rico Nasty featured on Doja Cat's single “Tia Tamera”. (also via Nightmare Vacation) “This was followed by the release of the second single, " Tia Tamera " featuring Rico Nasty , and its accompanying music video in February 2019.” (Wikipedia)
• Bebe Rexha by Bebe Rexha. Doja Cat featured on Rexha's single. “In October 2020, Doja Cat was featured on American singer Bebe Rexha 's single " Baby, I'm Jealous ", the lead single from Rexha's second studio album, Better Mistakes .” (Wikipedia)
• SOS by SZA (2022). SOS (SZA) — collaborator for Doja Cat “On April 10, the song "Kiss Me More" featuring SZA was released alongside a music video as the lead single for the album.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Celebrity Skin by Hole. Doja Cat released a cover of Hole's song. “In February 2022, Doja Cat released a cover of the song " Celebrity Skin " by American rock band Hole , [ 187 ] as part of a Taco Bell commercial in which she starred, and premiered it at the Super Bowl LVI .” (Wikipedia)
• Megan Thee Stallion by Megan Thee Stallion. The announcement places Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion together on Grande’s “34+35” remix. “Ariana Grande has officially announced that a remix of her Positions hit “34+35” will be released featuring Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion.” (uDiscover Music)
• OG Maco. Doja Cat and OG Maco collaborated on “Monster”. “Following the signing, in late 2016, Maco and Doja Cat collaborated on the song "Monster", from Maco's 2017 mixtape, Children of The Rage .” (Wikipedia)
• Nightmare Vacation by Rico Nasty (2020). Nightmare Vacation (Rico Nasty) — peer for Doja Cat “This was followed by the release of the second single, "Tia Tamera" featuring Rico Nasty, and its accompanying music video in February 2019.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Good News by Megan Thee Stallion (2020). Good News (Megan Thee Stallion) — peer for Doja Cat “The following week, Doja Cat appeared alongside Megan Thee Stallion on the remix of "34+35" by Ariana Grande.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• CTRL by SZA (2017). Ctrl (SZA) — peer for Doja Cat “On April 10, the song "Kiss Me More" featuring SZA was released alongside a music video as the lead single for the album.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Lisa. Doja Cat featured on a song from Lisa's album. “In early 2025, Doja Cat with Raye featured in " Born Again " from Alter Ego , the first studio album of the Thai singer Lisa .” (Wikipedia)
• Isolation by Kali Uchis. Isolation (Kali Uchis) — geography for Doja Cat (musicbrainz.org)
• Malibu by Anderson .Paak (2016). Malibu (Anderson .Paak) — geography for Doja Cat (musicbrainz.org)
• Butterfly Effect by Travis Scott (2017). Butterfly Effect (Travis Scott) — collaborator for Doja Cat (musicbrainz.org)
• IGOR by Tyler, the Creator. IGOR (Tyler, the Creator) — geography for Doja Cat (musicbrainz.org)
• Animal by Kesha (2010). Animal (Kesha) — collaborator for Doja Cat

Who Doja Cat influenced

• Doechii (1998). Critics compared Doechii's music to Doja Cat's. “Her music has been compared by critics to that of Nicki Minaj , Doja Cat , and Missy Elliott.” (Wikipedia)
• Like..? by Ice Spice (2023). Like..? (Ice Spice) — legacy for Doja Cat “Doja Cat then embarked the opening North American leg of the Scarlet Tour, her first arena tour featuring rappers Doechii and Ice Spice as supporting acts.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Tyla by Tyla (2024). Tyla (Tyla) — legacy for Doja Cat (musicbrainz.org)