Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, known by her stage name Doja Cat, was born on October 21, 1995, in Los Angeles. She gained initial recognition as a teenager by sharing her music on SoundCloud, with her track "So High" leading to a deal with Kemosabe and RCA Records. This collaboration resulted in her first EP, Purrr!, released in 2014.

Doja Cat's early career saw a pause in music releases and a subdued debut of her first album, Amala, in 2018. However, she rose to internet fame with the humorous single "Mooo!" in 2018, which became a viral meme. Following this success, she launched her second album, Hot Pink, in 2019, which climbed into the top ten of the US Billboard 200 and featured the hit single "Say So," further popularized by a remix with Nicki Minaj.

Her third album, Planet Her, released in 2021, maintained high chart positions, including four weeks at number two on the Billboard 200. It featured successful singles like "Kiss Me More" (with SZA), "Need to Know," and "Woman." Doja Cat continued her rise with her fourth album, Scarlet, in 2023, characterized by a hip-hop focus and a top-five position on the Billboard 200. The album's lead single, "Paint the Town Red," marked her first solo number-one hit on the Hot 100 and in eight other countries.

Recognized for her technical rap skills, melodic talent, and striking visuals, Doja Cat is a prominent figure on social media, particularly on platforms like TikTok. Her online presence, known for its whimsical and bold style, has contributed significantly to her popularity. Her career is distinguished by numerous awards, including a Grammy, five Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, and five MTV Video Music Awards. Hailed as one of the foremost commercial artists of the 2020s by Billboard, Doja Cat was also listed among Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.