Doja Cat

Born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, Doja Cat is a successful rapper, songwriter and record producer. She first sparked an interest in singing when her aunt, a vocal coach, gave her vocal lessons to help prep her for an audition at Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts. While she was ultimately accepted, the “Say So” singer dropped out her junior year in order to pursue music full-time.

The California native taught herself to sing and rap and frequently uploaded her music to SoundCloud. She began her career in the Los Angeles underground hip-hop scene, performing at parties and cyphers. At the age of 17, she signed under label executive Dr. Luke and his publishing company, Prescription Songs. In 2014, the “Vegas” singer released her first EP, Purrr!

Four years after her debut, Doja Cat dropped “Candy,” which went on to become her first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100. After the release of her premiere studio album, Amala, the singer earned viral success as an internet meme with her 2018 single “Mooo!” The following year, Doja Cat released her second album, Hot Pink, which reached the top 10 of the US Billboard 200. In 2021, she released Planet Her, which included top 10 singles such as “Kiss Me More” (featuring SZA), “Need to Know” and “Woman.” “Kiss Me More” went on to win the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2022.

Although she has kept most of her personal life private, Doja Cat had a relationship with singer Jawny from 2019 to 2020.