{{Short description|2023 studio album by Doja Cat}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Use American English|date=April 2023}} {{infobox album | name = Scarlet | type = studio | artist = Doja Cat | cover = Doja Cat - Scarlet.png | caption = Digital cover | border = yes | alt = Two pearlescent spiders, the right one being smaller, mouths touching, against a white background. | released = September 22, 2023 | recorded = May 2022 – August 2023<!-- Sourced in background section --> | studio = Harbor Studios (Malibu) | genre = Hip-hop<ref name="Wang">{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Steffanee |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's "Agora Hills" & 9 Other New Songs Out This Week |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/soundcheck-09-25-2023-eartheater-vcha |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Nylon |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929085625/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/soundcheck-09-25-2023-eartheater-vcha |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/doja-cat-scarlet/|title=Doja Cat: Scarlet Review|last=Gaca|first=Anna|website=Pitchfork|date=September 25, 2023|access-date=September 25, 2023}}</ref> | length = 51:45 | label = * Kemosabe * RCA | producer = * Ayo the Producer * Bangs * Sam Barsh * Beat Butcha * Brad! * Boobie * Cadenza * Rogét Chahayed * Jean-Baptiste * D.A. Got That Dope * Serg Dior * DJ Replay * Earl on the Beat * Fallen * Flip_00 * Gent! * Jasper Harris * London on da Track * Kurtis McKenzie * Sean Momberger * Ben Nartey * Presley Regier * Scribz Riley * Devon Rhys Roberts * Rubin * Aaron Shadrow * Jay Versace * Yeti Beats * Y2K | prev_title = Planet Her | prev_year = 2021 | next_title = Vie | next_year = 2025 | misc = {{Extra album cover | type = studio | cover = Doja Cat - Scarlet 2 Claude.png | border = yes | caption = ''Scarlet 2 Claude'' cover }} {{Singles | name = Scarlet | type = studio | single1 = Paint the Town Red | single1date = August 4, 2023 | single2 = Agora Hills |single2date = October 31, 2023 }} }} '''''Scarlet''''' is the fourth studio album by American rapper and singer Doja Cat. It was released through Kemosabe and RCA Records on September 22, 2023. Disillusioned with pop music and dissatisfied with music critics questioning her status as a rapper, Doja Cat felt inspired to create a "masculine" follow-up to her third studio album, ''Planet Her'' (2021). Her first project with no features since her debut extended play, ''Purrr!'' (2014), the record marks a departure from the pop-driven sounds of its predecessor, being predominantly centered around rapping.
''Scarlet'' produced two singles. Its lead single, "Paint the Town Red", became a massive commercial success, and marked Doja Cat's first solo number-one on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, the UK Singles Chart, the ''Billboard'' Global 200, and several other national charts worldwide. It was followed by the top-ten single "Agora Hills". Promotional singles for the album include "Attention",<ref name="attention-promo"/> "Demons",<ref name="demons-promo"/> and "Balut".
''Scarlet'' peaked at number four on the US ''Billboard'' 200, becoming Doja Cat's third top-ten entry on the chart. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised its production, lyrics, and versatility in comparison to her previous albums. To support the album, Doja Cat embarked on The Scarlet Tour, her first arena tour as a headliner. The album's reissue, titled ''Scarlet 2 Claude'', was released on April 5, 2024, adding features from Teezo Touchdown and ASAP Rocky.
==Background== Doja Cat began her career as a rapper heavily involved with the underground scene in her hometown of Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gee |first=Andre |date=April 13, 2022 |title=Doja Cat Is a Rapper. Stop Saying Otherwise. |url=https://www.complex.com/music/doja-cat-is-a-rapper |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411100654/https://www.complex.com/music/doja-cat-is-a-rapper |url-status=live }}</ref> She rose to prominence as an internet meme, following the viral success of her novelty song, "Mooo!", released in August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moen |first=Matt |date=August 14, 2018 |title=Doja Cat's 'Mooo!' Is a Meme Masterpiece |url=https://papermag.com/doja-cat-mooo-2595661129.html |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Paper |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164450/https://www.papermag.com/doja-cat-mooo-2595661129.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sunnucks |first=Jack |date=August 13, 2018 |title=you have to listen to doja cat's 'mooo!' |url=https://i-d.co/article/you-have-to-listen-to-doja-cats-mooo/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=i-D |language=en |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164448/https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/vbjqpm/you-have-to-listen-to-doja-cats-mooo |url-status=live }}</ref> She continued to gain mainstream attention with her pop and R&B-infused second studio album, ''Hot Pink'' (2019).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=August |date=October 30, 2019 |title=Doja Cat went viral. Now what? A hip-hop meme star gets serious, sort of, for her second act |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-10-30/doja-cat-mooo-viral-hot-pink |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030220337/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-10-30/doja-cat-mooo-viral-hot-pink |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Polo |first=Maxamillion |date=November 7, 2019 |title=Doja Cat's 'Hot Pink' Is the Most Versatile Hip-Hop Offering of the Year |url=http://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/doja-cat-hot-pink |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Ones to Watch |language=en |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420184518/https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/doja-cat-hot-pink |url-status=live }}</ref> The remix to its standout single, "Say So" featuring Nicki Minaj, became the first song by a female rap duo to reach number one on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=May 11, 2020 |title=Doja Cat's 'Say So,' Featuring Nicki Minaj, Tops Billboard Hot 100, Becoming the First No. 1 For Each |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/doja-cat-nicki-minaj-say-so-number-one/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=First female rap duo to reach No.1 on the US singles chart |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/617361-first-female-rap-duo-to-reach-no-1-on-the-us-singles-chart |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Guinness World Records |date=May 16, 2020 |language=en-gb |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214233606/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/617361-first-female-rap-duo-to-reach-no-1-on-the-us-singles-chart |url-status=live }}</ref> Doja Cat's third studio album, ''Planet Her'' (2021), continued the pop-R&B blend and was met with critical and commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charity |first=Justin |date=June 30, 2021 |title='Planet Her' and the Chaotic Evolution of Doja Cat |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/6/30/22557304/doja-cat-planet-her-album-review |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=The Ringer |language=en |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713004459/https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/6/30/22557304/doja-cat-planet-her-album-review |url-status=live }}</ref> It became the most-streamed album by a female rapper on Spotify, and its lead single, "Kiss Me More" featuring SZA, won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oatman |first=Alexis |date=February 26, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Planet Her' Just Made Rap Music History On Spotify |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-planet-her-rap-music-history-spotify/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164450/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-planet-her-rap-music-history-spotify/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=Jordan |date=April 4, 2022 |title=Doja Cat runs from bathroom, Lady Gaga carries SZA's dress train to accept Grammy for 'Kiss Me More' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/04/04/doja-cat-grammy-bathroom/7266266001/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164447/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/04/04/doja-cat-grammy-bathroom/7266266001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
After being nominated for the BET Award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist in May 2021, Doja Cat was criticized by social media users who felt she was "too pop" to be considered as a rapper. She responded to the criticism on Twitter, by writing, "Don't ever fuckin [''sic''] disrespect me as a rapper. After the last song I dropped, you will respect my pen and that's fuckin [''sic''] that."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Doja Cat Warns People to Not Disrespect Her as a Rapper |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/doja-cat-rapper-disrespect/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=XXL Mag |language=en |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164447/https://www.xxlmag.com/doja-cat-rapper-disrespect/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She weighed in further on the debate during a cover story with ''Rolling Stone'' in December, saying, "Anyone who says that I'm not a rapper is in denial. They don't know what they're talking about."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dickson |first=E. J. |date=December 16, 2021 |title=Doja Cat DGAF If You Read This* |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/doja-cat-planet-her-tour-mooo-dr-luke-say-so-1269896/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> A few days after the profile piece was published, Doja Cat revealed on an Instagram livestream that she was interested in creating a double album; with one side focused on her pop rap sounds, and the other side containing 12 hip-hop songs produced by 9th Wonder and Jay Versace.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langford |first=Jackson |date=December 27, 2021 |title=Doja Cat says she wants to make a double-album with one side strictly hip-hop |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-says-she-wants-to-make-a-double-album-with-one-side-strictly-hip-hop-3126342 |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164447/https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-says-she-wants-to-make-a-double-album-with-one-side-strictly-hip-hop-3126342 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kearns |first=Sarah |date=December 25, 2021 |title=Doja Cat Says She Wants To Record a Pop and Hip-Hop Double Album |url=https://hypebeast.com/2021/12/doja-cat-pop-hip-hop-album-instagram-live |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Hypebeast |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164447/https://hypebeast.com/2021/12/doja-cat-pop-hip-hop-album-instagram-live |url-status=live }}</ref>
In an interview with ''Elle'' in May 2022, Doja Cat addressed claims that she was not a rapper in the "traditional sense" by stating that she has "rapped since the beginning, and I really couldn't even sing that well to begin with—I got a lot better. I use my voice as a tool to create these worlds, and it's fine if people think that I can't rap." She also confirmed that her upcoming fourth studio album will be "predominantly rap".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlos |first=Marjon |date=May 24, 2022 |title=Doja Overload |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a39974683/doja-cat-elle-june-july-2022-cover-story/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=ELLE |language=en-us |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416165949/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a39974683/doja-cat-elle-june-july-2022-cover-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She doubled down on the album's main genre in April 2023 by stating "no more pop", and that she agrees with "everyone who said the majority of my rap verses are mid and corny. I know they are. I wasn't trying to prove anything, I just enjoy making music. But I'm getting tired of hearing y'all say that I can't, so I will."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Emerson |date=April 8, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Says Her Rap Verses Are 'Corny', Declares 'No More Pop' |url=https://etcanada.com/news/983327/doja-cat-says-her-rap-verses-are-corny-declares-no-more-pop/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=ET Canada |language=en-US |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164446/https://etcanada.com/news/983327/doja-cat-says-her-rap-verses-are-corny-declares-no-more-pop/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kedem |first=Maia |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Doja Cat ready to rap: 'I'm getting tired of hearing y'all say that I can't so I will' |url=https://audacy.com/national/music/doja-cat-ready-to-rap-yall-say-that-i-cant-so-i-will |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Audacy |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164447/https://www.audacy.com/national/music/doja-cat-ready-to-rap-yall-say-that-i-cant-so-i-will |url-status=live }}</ref> Doja Cat also denounced her previous two albums as "cash grabs" and "digestible pop hits".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schimkowitz |first=Matt |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Doja Cat trashes her albums, Hot Pink and Planet Her, as "cash grabs" |url=https://www.avclub.com/doja-cat-denounces-previous-albums-as-cash-grabs-1850422125 |access-date=August 21, 2023 |website=The A.V. Club}}</ref> On April 26, radio personality Ebro Darden shared that he had the opportunity to listen to approximately eight songs from the album while it was in its "early stages", stating "I heard straight rap records".<ref name=":0">{{Citation |last=Darden |first=Ebro |title=Reviewing Drake's "Search & Rescue" {{!}} Apple Music |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvZ843XKhMY&start=213 |work=YouTube |date=April 26, 2023 |access-date=April 28, 2023 |publisher=Rap Life Review |language=en |author-link=Ebro Darden |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503084131/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvZ843XKhMY&start=213 |url-status=live }}</ref> After being asked about potential producers, he responded "I don't even think it's producers that we know. I think she's got her own batch of producers."<ref name=":0" /> In April 2023, while drafting the tracklist, she revealed the titles of several tracks that would later make the final cut.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chelosky |first=Danielle |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Teases Snippets Of Her New Album And Shares The Possible Tracklist |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-new-album-snippets-tracklist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418155812/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-new-album-snippets-tracklist/ |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |website=Uproxx}}</ref> On August 27, she revealed that the album was finished,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Rebekah |date=August 28, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Shares Status Update On New Album 'Scarlet' |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-08-28-doja-cat-shares-status-update-on-new-album-scarlet/ |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=iHeartRadio}}</ref> and she announced the release of the album three days later.<ref name=":8" />
==Conception==
=== Imagery === [[File:De monstris - Ex recensione Gerardi Blassi Wellcome L0027760.jpg|thumb|While recording the album, Doja Cat was heavily inspired by occult imagery, such as Fortunio Liceti's ''De monstris'' (1655).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Aaron |date=April 17, 2023 |title=After Doja Cat's Tattoo Was Called 'Demonic' She Explained Its Meaning |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-tattoo-demonic/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Uproxx}}</ref>]] Leading up to the album's release, Doja Cat adopted a darker aesthetic and image, claiming that she had "a lot of pent-up feelings and anger" which she wanted to express through beauty, further describing her new style as "punk", "experimental" and "manic".<ref name=":2" /> She initially shaved her hair and eyebrows,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sottile |first=Zoe |date=August 6, 2022 |title=Doja Cat debuts new look after shaving her eyebrows on Instagram live |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/06/celebrities/doja-cat-shaves-head-eyebrows-trnd/index.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=CNN}}</ref> and then got a number of tattoos,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Added Yet Another Creepy Crawler to Her Tattoo Collection |url=https://www.allure.com/story/doja-cat-spider-arm-tattoo |access-date=August 28, 2023 |first=Gabi|last=Thorne|website=Allure |language=en-US}}</ref> including a creature from Fortunio Liceti's ''De monstris'' (1655) on her arm,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine |last=Bowenbank |first=Starr |date=April 17, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Laughs Off 'Demonic' Accusations After Sharing Monstrous New Tattoo |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-demonic-tattoo-response-1235304373/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> a scythe surrounding her ear,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=August 26, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Shows Off Wicked New Scythe Head Tattoo: See the Photo |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-scythe-head-tattoo-photo-1235401563/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> and the skeleton of a bat on her back, which she claimed to symbolize a "new beginning".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Marisa |date=May 5, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Reveals Massive Back Tattoo of a Bat Skeleton — See Her New Ink! |url=https://people.com/style/doja-cat-bat-skeleton-tattoo-covering-her-entire-back-photos/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=People}}</ref> At times she also wore red contact lenses and blood-like makeup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strater |first=Zizi |date=June 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Does Demon-Chic With Marbled Hair and Red Contacts |url=https://www.byrdie.com/doja-cat-demon-chic-marble-hair-7551802 |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Byrdie}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Noah |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Is Naked, Covered In Blood In "Attention" Video |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/688290-doja-cat-naked-covered-in-blood-attention |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=HotNewHipHop}}</ref> She expressed similar imagery in the music video for singles "Attention"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Kyann-Sian |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Doja Cat unveils new single 'Attention' with creepy new video |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-unveils-her-next-single-attention-in-creepy-video-teaser-3456527 |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> and "Paint the Town Red",<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Das |first=Amrita |date=August 4, 2023 |title="Officially married to the devil": Doja Cat Paint The Town Red music video sparks controversy with demonic imagery |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-officially-married-devil-doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-music-video-sparks-controversy-demonic-imagery |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sportskeeda}}</ref> the latter of which also depicted occult-like paintings by Doja Cat herself.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=August 4, 2023 |title=Doja Cat flirts with death in her "Paint the Town Red" video |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/08/04/doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-video |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=The Fader}}</ref> These changes in her persona received criticism from some fans,<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Lexi |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Calls Out 'B*tchmade' Haters Over 'Demons,' It Appears |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-demons-haters-goosebumps/ |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Uproxx}}</ref> who deemed these changes "demonic",<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Creeps Out Fans With 'Demonic' Blood-Stained Photos |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/doja-cat-demonic-blood-photos |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> and accused her of being a Satanist,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Doesn't Worship Satan, Despite Viral TikTok Claims |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/doja-cat-satanic/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Highsnobiety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Darangwa |first=Shingai |date=August 8, 2023 |title=Fans accuse Doja Cat of satanism after new video features controversial symbolism |url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/international/fans-accuse-doja-cat-of-satanism-after-new-video-features-controversial-symbolism-6d803206-4110-4370-9cef-355646f5856a |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=iOL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yalcinkaya |first=Günseli |date=December 2, 2022 |title=Demons, blood harvests and occult rituals: inside the new Satanic Panic |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/57670/1/satanic-panic-doja-cat-mainstream-4chan-conspiracy-adrenochrome |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Dazed}}</ref> and a member of the Illuminati.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moen |first=Matt |date=February 8, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Is Embracing the Illuminati Conspiracy Theories |url=https://www.papermag.com/doja-cat-illuminati |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Paper}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thorne |first=Gabi |date=May 31, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Is a Yassified Guy Fieri With Her Latest Hairstyle and Color |url=https://www.allure.com/story/doja-cat-bleached-guy-fieri-hair |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Allure |language=en-US}}</ref> She was unbothered by these reactions, tweeting in February 2023 that she enjoyed "playing with people’s ignorance and stupidity for [her] own happiness and personal gain",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |title=Doja Cat Vows to Keep 'Playing With People's Ignorance' Over Illuminati Nonsense |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/doja-cat-vows-keep-playing-with-peoples-ignorance-illuminati |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Complex |date=February 7, 2023 |language=en-us}}</ref> and then in April 2023 addressed her fans in saying "Your fear is not my problem".<ref name=":1" /> Jason King of ''All Things Considered'' wrote that on ''Scarlet'', Doja Cat "delights in playing the 'demon' her haters and fans accuse her of being."<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jason |date=September 29, 2023 |title=On 'Scarlet,' Doja Cat finds power harnessing the darkness of online vitriol |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/09/29/1202431154/doja-cat-scarlet-review-trolling |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=NPR |publisher=All Things Considered}}</ref>
=== Title === thumb|219x219px|Scarlet wax figure on the Chicago Riverwalk.|left Doja Cat shared a name for the album, ''Hellmouth'', in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Cierra |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat pens 'Hellmouth' for 4th studio album title |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/doja-cat-pens-hellmouth-4th-110024106.html |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164447/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/doja-cat-pens-hellmouth-4th-110024106.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=April 11, 2023 |title=Need to Know the Genre of Doja Cat's Next Album? Too Bad. |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/04/doja-cat-album-updates-twitter.html |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en-us |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164446/https://www.vulture.com/2023/04/doja-cat-album-updates-twitter.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By April, she was unsure of whether or not the name would stick,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Machin |first=Jennifer |date=April 13, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Is Purposely Trolling Fans Regarding Expectations on Her Next Album |url=https://hypebae.com/2023/4/doja-cat-upcoming-album-music-title-genre-hellmouth-update |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Hypebae |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164447/https://hypebae.com/2023/4/doja-cat-upcoming-album-music-title-genre-hellmouth-update |url-status=live }}</ref> and later clarified to ''Interview'' magazine that she did not have an album name yet, with the working title subject to potential change.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nevins |first=Jake |date=April 27, 2023 |title="Who Is This?": Doja Cat on Boobs, Britney, and Influence |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/who-is-this-doja-cat-on-boobs-britney-and-influence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428182022/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/who-is-this-doja-cat-on-boobs-britney-and-influence |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> While speaking to ''Time'' for their annual list of influential people, she shared that she "might just mess with everybody and completely turn the tables on them. But I like the idea of ''Hellmouth'' because it sounds good. And it's provocative."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Luscombe |first=Belinda |date=April 13, 2023 |title=How Doja Cat Ripped Off Her Shell—And Why She's Happier For It |url=https://time.com/6269491/doja-cat-interview-time100/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref> On May 9, she revealed another title, ''First of All'', through social media, before retracting on May 15.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1656082907679653891|user=DojaCat|title=its not called hEllMoUth either its called "First of All" and yes I'm announcing the album title right now.|author=Doja Cat|date=May 9, 2023|access-date=May 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1658272823398236160|user=DojaCat|title=lol my album name isnt first of all im changing it|author=Doja Cat|date=May 15, 2023|access-date=May 15, 2023}}</ref> In an interview with ''Business Insider'' on May 26, Doja Cat revealed that the reason she kept changing the title is due to a combination of indecisiveness and crowdsourcing. She described her process for selecting an album title as her putting her "ADHD kind of on display — by accident, I guess. I thought that ''Hellmouth'' was the name of the album, but then it wasn't. But I'm good at doing things last minute. So I've been firing off random stuff and reading comments and seeing how people receive it and then, you know, saying 'no' a lot. 'Just kidding'." She concluded by saying she thinks she finally has a name for the album, and swiftly added, "It's not ''First of All''."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahlgrim |first=Callie |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Doja Cat explains why she keeps changing the title for her new album: 'I put my ADHD on display' |url=https://www.insider.com/doja-cat-new-album-title-hellmouth-first-of-all-changes-2023-5 |access-date=May 26, 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817123602/https://www.insider.com/doja-cat-new-album-title-hellmouth-first-of-all-changes-2023-5 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In an article for ''Harper's Bazaar'', author Angie Martinez revealed the title to be ''Scarlet'', on August 16, 2023.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Martinez |first=Angie |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's Pop Performance Art |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a44651756/doja-cat-icons-interview-2023/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |language=en-US |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816164823/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a44651756/doja-cat-icons-interview-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Scarlet" is the name to an alter ego adopted by Doja Cat which symbolizes rebirth, "the reimagination of the self", and "the birth of a new creative, or new thought, or new way of style that you're expressing".<ref name="attention-promo" /> After having tweeted "Scarlet is here" on June 16,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Kyann-Sian |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Doja Cat unveils new single 'Attention' with creepy new video |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-unveils-her-next-single-attention-in-creepy-video-teaser-3456527 |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> the alter ego made her debut in the music video for "Attention" where she was seen in the nude and painted head-to-toe in red blood.<ref name="attention-promo" /> Several wax figures of this Scarlet character began appearing in public locations around the United States, such as a subway station and Tompkins Square Park in New York City,<ref name="attention-promo" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elsasser |first=John |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Currently seen in the middle of the basketball courts in Tompkins Square Park... |url=https://evgrieve.com/2023/09/noted.html |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=evgrieve.com}}</ref> and both Wrigley Field and Riverwalk in Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2023 |title="Scarlet" Wax figures of Doja Cat have appeared at multiple Chicago locations, including Wrigley Field and the Loop 🩸 #scarlet #dojacat #chicago #chicagonews |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcchicago/video/7279618076780334378 |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=NBC Chicago |publisher=TikTok}}</ref>
=== Artwork === On August 29, 2023, Doja Cat initially shared an album cover to Instagram which featured a painting of a big pinkish arachnid and a small drop of blood; containing no text.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Strauss |first1=Matthew |title=Doja Cat's New Album Cover Is Strikingly Similar to German Metal Band's |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/doja-cat-new-album-cover-is-strikingly-similar-to-german-metal-band/ |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Pitchfork|date=August 30, 2023 }}</ref> Fans then noticed that it looked almost identical to the cover for ''Of Gloom'', the third studio album by German metalcore band Chaver, which was slated for release on the same day as ''Scarlet''. Both covers were designed by American artist Dusty Ray,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Doja Cat And Chaver Have A Fountains Of Wayne/Flamingoes Situation Happening With Their New Albums |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2234686/doja-cat-and-chaver-have-a-fountains-of-wayne-flamingoes-situation-happening-with-their-new-albums/news/ |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Stereogum|date=August 30, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title=Can Anyone Tell Us Why Doja Cat and a German Hardcore Band Have the Same Album Art? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-chaver-spider-cover-art-1234815510/ |access-date=August 30, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> whom Chaver wrote had "been with [them] since [their] first album". Doja Cat then deleted the post from her Instagram the following day, while Chaver's post remained online and the band continued to promote the album with this cover.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Can You Spot the Difference Between These Two Album Covers? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/08/doja-cat-scarlet-album-cover-chaver-of-gloom.html |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref> She revealed an "updated" cover the day after, which was also designed by Ray, featuring two pearlescent arachnids instead of the single pink arachnid.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Tyler Damara |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Doja Cat shares updated artwork for forthcoming album, Scarlet, following similarities to German band Chaver |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/doja-cat-shares-updated-artwork-for-forthcoming-album-scarlet-following-similarities-to-german-band-chaver |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=The Line of Best Fit}}</ref> The original cover is the album's alternate art for its CD packaging.
Notably, ''Scarlet'' is the first Doja Cat album where she does not appear on the cover.
== Composition == During a cover story with ''Variety'' in February 2023, Doja Cat expressed that ''Scarlet'' will diverge from the "pink and soft things" and "pop and glittery sounds" that she has been noted for; opting instead for a more "masculine" sonic direction.<ref name="Variety">{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Balls to the Wall' New Era: The Grammy Winner on Rapping More, Her Viral Fashion Looks and Being a 'Messy Bitch' |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/features/doja-cat-new-era-rapping-fashion-1235506581/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Variety |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401223439/https://variety.com/2023/music/features/doja-cat-new-era-rapping-fashion-1235506581/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Alex |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Says Her Next Album Will Go In 'A More Masculine Direction' |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-masculine-direction-next-album/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164449/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-masculine-direction-next-album/ |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}</ref> She claimed to have purposefully misled journalists and fans into thinking that her album would be inspired by 1990s German rave music, rock, experimental jazz and R&B, rather than rap.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Doja Cat Says She Lied About Her Next Album Being Rap |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-lied-about-album-rap/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=Uproxx |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418174356/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-lied-about-album-rap/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, it was later confirmed that the upcoming album would exclusively contain rap songs.<ref name="Variety"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=LeJarde |first=Arielle Lana |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Doja Cat says new album Hellmouth is "rap only" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/04/10/doja-cat-says-new-album-is-rap |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=The Fader |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164446/https://www.thefader.com/2023/04/10/doja-cat-says-new-album-is-rap |url-status=live }}</ref> She admitted that she had become tired of creating pop songs, adding that the genre is not exciting to her anymore.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Jonah |date=April 10, 2023 |title='No more pop': Doja Cat says her next album will be exclusively rap |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-04-10/doja-cat-no-more-pop-music-new-album-rap-only-twitter-hellmouth |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164447/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-04-10/doja-cat-no-more-pop-music-new-album-rap-only-twitter-hellmouth |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Ashleigh |date=April 9, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Is Done Making Pop Music |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/doja-cat-says-new-album-is-all-rap |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Teen Vogue |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416164448/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/doja-cat-says-new-album-is-all-rap |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with ''Rolling Stone'' in June 2023, Doja expanded on the influences and inspiration for her upcoming album, saying that she had been reconnecting with the music that she was raised listening to, such as Erykah Badu, John Coltrane and 90s hip-hop.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Sage |title=Doja Cat Talks Tequila, Messing Around With Album Titles, And What Can Break A Party |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/doja-cat-patron-el-cielo-campaign-1234771723/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=June 15, 2023}}</ref> Doja Cat explained that "Attention", "Paint the Town Red", and "Demons" were all written during a period before she recorded the rest of ''Scarlet'' in Malibu, California within the space of ten days, noting that the songs recorded during the second period are very different in nature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chelosky |first=Danielle |date=September 7, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Scarlet' Was Written Over The Course Of Two Periods |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-scarlet-written-two-periods-different/ |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Uproxx}}</ref>
{{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Dionne Warwick television special 1969.JPG | image2 = Steve Russell and Jon Jon of Troop.jpg | footer = "Paint the Town Red" and "Agora Hills" sample "Walk On By" and "All I Do Is Think of You", by Dionne Warwick (left) and Troop (right), respectively. | total_width = 385 }} The standard edition of ''Scarlet'' opens with "Paint the Town Red," a boom bap song where Doja asserts her stance as a performer against critics and fans. Sampling Dionne Warwick's version of "Walk On By," the song lambasts her detractors as she "refuses to settle for the disrespect she faces and will say whatever is necessary to prove that she is indestructible."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keaton |first=Laila |date=2023-08-07 |title=In Review: Doja Cat's "Paint The Town Red" |url=https://www.intersectmagazine.com/post/doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-review |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=INTERSECT MAGAZINE |language=en}}</ref> The following song, "Demons," is a horrorcore trap song in which Doja coyly acknowledges the demonic accusations, rapping in a "clipped baby voice."<ref>{{Cite web |last=D’Souza |first=Shaad |title=Doja Cat: "Demons" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/doja-cat-demons/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> The third track "Wet Vagina" is a rage rap song where Doja juxtaposes her possession of wealth and luxury clothing with references to nudity and sexuality, such as her "brand-new chest" with a "tongue-in-cheek delivery [that] also recalls the humor of prime Ludacris in the way that it adds a more nuanced sense of performance to her rapping."<ref name=":9">{{Cite magazine |last1=Saponara |first1=Kyle Denis,Michael |last2=Denis |first2=Kyle |last3=Saponara |first3=Michael |date=2024-04-05 |title=Doja Cat's 'Scarlet': All 24 Songs Ranked |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/doja-cat-scarlet-songs-ranked-paint-the-town-red/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> The fourth track is "Fuck the Girls (FTG)", a rapped track that has been characterized as "'90s hip-hop with the slinkiness of 2010s trap,"<ref name=":9" /> sees Doja opine on the misogyny prevalent in hip-hop, responsible for the constant comparisons and competitions between female rappers. The track has also been cited as a dismissal of fans that exacerbate said misogyny and "all the malice towards women in stan culture."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=What's The Meaning Behind Doja Cat's 'F*ck The Girls?' |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-fuck-the-girls-meaning-explained/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}</ref> "Ouchies" sees Doja get more threatening with her critics, issuing confrontations with the "cadence of street fighter video games."<ref name=":9" /> "97" follows as the sixth track, with Doja continuing the theme of indifference towards pressure from others as she raps about "flaunting luxury and extravagance without care for societal judgment."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meaning of 97 by Doja Cat |url=https://www.socratic-method.com/doja-cat/meaning-of-97-by-doja-cat |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=The Socratic Method |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> "Gun" continues the album's aggressive motif, where Doja refers to her partner's penis as a gun and lyrically opting for firearm metaphors, asking her partner to "let the trigger spray" and "shoot it... with a silencer" with other women who may appear as competition. "Go Off" is more laid-back song encouraging confidence and self-empowerment amidst the opinions and beliefs of the self by others.
"Agora Hills" is an R&B-style song with ethereal instrumentation above a trap beat. Sampling "All I Do Is Think of You," Doja raps with a "valley girl accent"<ref name=":9" /> about her unabashed desire to physically indulge in her love with her partner, regardless of ever-present spectators. The ninth and transitional track of the standard album, as the aggression and materialism of the first half of the track are replaced with intimacy and introspection.
== Release and promotion == === Singles === "Paint the Town Red", the lead single of ''Scarlet'', was released on August 4, 2023, to commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2023 |title=Doja Cat releases new single "Paint the Town Red" |url=https://www.rcarecords.com/news/doja-cat-releases-new-single-paint-the-town-red/ |access-date=September 2, 2023 |publisher=RCA Records}}</ref> The song became her first solo single to top the ''Billboard'' Global 200,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Paint the Town Red' Rises to No. 1 on Billboard Global 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-number-one-global-200-chart-1235410518/ |access-date=September 12, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> as well as the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Paint the Town Red' Becomes Her Second Hot 100 No. 1, First Rap Leader in Over a Year |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-number-one-hot-100-1235410406/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> the UK Singles Chart,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=September 10, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Pounces For Her First U.K. No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-uk-no-1-1235408744/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref> the Canadian Hot 100,<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Canadian Hot 100: Week of September 3, 2023 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2023-09-03/ |access-date=September 12, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> and national charts in several other countries such as Australia,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Nabs No. 1 In Australia With 'Paint The Town Red' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/doja-cat-no-1-australia-aria-chart-paint-the-town-red-1235399771/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 5, 2023}}</ref> Ireland,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Irish Singles Chart: 1 September – 7 September 2023 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/20230901/ie7501/ |access-date=September 5, 2023 |series=Irish Singles Chart |publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref> and New Zealand.<ref> * {{Cite web |title=Doja Cat — Paint The Town Red |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Doja+Cat&titel=Paint+The+Town+Red&cat=s |access-date=September 5, 2023 |publisher=Recorded Music NZ}} * {{Cite web |title=The Official NZ Music Chart: Top 40 Singles |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2023-09-15 |access-date=September 5, 2023 |publisher=Official New Zealand Music Chart}}</ref>
"Agora Hills" followed as the second and final single, released in tandem with ''Scarlet'' on September 22, 2023.<ref name="AH">{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Teases New Track "Agora Hills" on Website: Release Date Confirmed! |url=https://foggymedia.in/blog/Doja%20Cat%20Teases%20New%20Track%20%22Agora%20Hills%22%20on%20Website:%20Release%20Date%20Confirmed!/ |access-date=September 20, 2023 |website=Foggy Media}}</ref> Its music video was co-directed by Doja Cat and Hannah Lux Davis.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carr |first=Mary Kate |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat keeps fans guessing with new video for "Agora Hills" |work=The A.V. Club |url=https://www.avclub.com/doja-cat-releases-album-agora-hills-music-video-1850864604 |access-date=September 22, 2023}}</ref> It reached the top 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Jack Harlow's 'Lovin on Me' Returns to No. 1 on Hot 100, Doja Cat's 'Agora Hills' Hits Top 10 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/jack-harlow-lovin-on-me-number-one-hot-100-second-week-1235577809/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
Three promotional singles preceded the album's release as well. The first, "Attention",<ref name="attention-promo">{{cite web |last=Lane |first=Barnaby |date=September 15, 2023 |title=What you need to know about Doja Cat's new blood-covered alter ego, Scarlet, and what it represents|url=https://www.insider.com/doja-cat-scarlet-alter-ego-explained-2023-9 |access-date=September 15, 2023 |website=Insider}}</ref> was released on June 16, 2023, alongside an accompanying music video directed by Tanu Muino.<ref name="amsong">{{Cite magazine |last=Galindo |first=Thomas |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Detonates on Haters in New Single "Attention" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/doja-cat-detonates-on-haters-in-new-single-attention/ |access-date=June 18, 2023 |magazine=American Songwriter}}</ref> It reached the top 40 in Australia,<ref name="aussiecharts">{{Cite magazine |last1=Ryan |first1=Gavin |title=Dave & Central Cee Land A Third Week At #1 With 'Sprinter' |url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/chartifacts-26-june-2023/BCu6FhkYGxo/26-06-23 |magazine=The Music |access-date=June 27, 2023 |date=June 26, 2023}}</ref> the United States,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Billboard |date=January 2, 2013 |title=Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2023-07-01/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Griffiths |first1=George |title=Dave & Central Cee fly into third week at Number 1 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dave-central-cee-fly-into-third-week-at-number-1-with-sprinter-__39609/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=June 27, 2023 |date=June 21, 2023}}</ref> It was followed by "Demons"<ref name="demons-promo">{{Cite magazine|first=Kyle|last=Denis|date=September 22, 2023|title=Doja Cat Paints the Town 'Scarlet' With New Album: Stream It Now|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/doja-cat-new-album-scarlet-stream-1235418215/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 22, 2023}}</ref> on September 1, 2023<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Garcia |first1=Thania |last2=Franklin |first2=McKinley |title=Doja Cat Unleashes Her 'Demons' in Spooky New Video Starring Christina Ricci |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/doja-cat-demons-spooky-new-music-video-starring-christina-ricci-1235709938/ |magazine=Variety |date=September 1, 2023 |access-date=September 15, 2023}}</ref> alongside a music video co-directed by Christian Breslauer and Doja Cat and co-starring American actress Christina Ricci;<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Madarang |first=Charisma |title=Doja Cat's 'Demons' Video Starring Christina Ricci is a Stunning Macabre Flex |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-christina-ricci-demon-music-movie-1234815853/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 15, 2023 |date=September 1, 2023}}</ref> the trailer first premiered at Cinespia in Los Angeles on August 27.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivey |first=Justin |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Mocks People Concerned About Her "Demons" Single And Teaser |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/doja-cat-mocks-people-concerned-about-her-demons-single-and-teaser/ |access-date=September 15, 2023 |website=AllHipHop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Demons: Official Trailer |url=https://www.dojacat.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829232319/https://www.dojacat.com/ |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Doja Cat}}</ref> "Balut" was released as the third promotional single on September 15, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Bethy |date=September 15, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Wants Us to Snack on 'Balut' |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/09/doja-cat-releases-new-scarlet-track-balut.html |access-date=September 15, 2023 |website=Vulture}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brodsky |first=Rachel |date=September 15, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Shares New Song "Balut": Listen |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2236306/doja-cat-balut/music/ |access-date=September 15, 2023 |work=Stereogum}}</ref>
=== Tour and live performances === {{main|The Scarlet Tour}} {{multiple image | footer = American rappers Doechii (''left'') and Ice Spice (''right'') joined Doja Cat on the opening leg of The Scarlet Tour. | image1 = Doechii at The Filmore 1.png | width1 = 125 | alt1 = Doechii during a sound check in 2022 | image2 = Ice Spice Next Wav by Keinoflo uploaded by James Tamim V4 (cropped V2) 2022.png | width2 = 130 | alt2 = Ice Spice in 2021 | align = right }}
On June 23, 2023, Doja Cat announced The Scarlet Tour,<ref name="tour_ann">{{Cite magazine |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Announces 'The Scarlet Tour' With Support From Ice Spice and Doechii |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/doja-cat-ice-spice-doechii-scarlet-tour-dates-1235651310/ |magazine=Variety}}</ref> exactly 67 days before she officially revealed ''Scarlet'' as the title of the album.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Surej |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Doja Cat announces new album, 'Scarlet' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-announces-new-album-scarlet-3490730 |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=NME}}</ref> The first headlining arena tour of her career,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Announces First Headlining Tour |url=https://www.spin.com/2023/06/doja-cat-2023-tour-dates/ |access-date=September 11, 2023 |magazine=Spin}}</ref> it visited North America and Europe. Rappers Doechii and Ice Spice served as supporting acts on the North American leg while singer Hemlocke Springs opened for the Europe trek.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 26, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Announces First North American Arena Tour |url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/6/doja-cat-the-scarlet-tour-dates-announcement-ice-spice-doechii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629060013/https://hypebeast.com/2023/6/doja-cat-the-scarlet-tour-dates-announcement-ice-spice-doechii |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Instagram |postid=C2vhwScPmJ1 |user=dojacat |title=🖤 |first= |last= |author=Doja Cat |date=30 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref> This comes after the Hot Pink Tour in support of her second album was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Kaelen |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Announces the Scarlet Tour |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/doja_cat_announces_the_scarlet_tour |access-date=September 11, 2023 |work=Exclaim!}}</ref> The Scarlet Tour commenced on October 31, 2023, in San Francisco, United States, and concluded on September 28, 2024, in New York City, United States, consisting of 25 dates across the US, 15 in Europe, and 1 date in Canada.<ref>* {{Cite web |last=Dunworth |first=Liberty |date=December 8, 2023 |title=Doja Cat unveils European leg of 'The Scarlet Tour' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-unveils-european-leg-of-the-scarlet-tour-buy-tickets-3556117 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=NME}} * {{Cite magazine |last=Elgenes |first=Sigurd Hollen |date=December 14, 2023 |title=For første gang i Norge: Doja Cat til Slottsfjell |trans-title=For the first time in Norway: Doja Cat to Slottsfjell |url=https://gaffa.no/nyheter/2023/december/for-forste-gang-i-norge-doja-cat-til-slottsfjell/ |access-date=January 4, 2024 |magazine=Gaffa Norway |language=NO}} * {{Cite web |last=Belga |first=Agence |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Doja Cat au festival Les Ardentes |trans-title=Doja Cat at the Les Ardentes festival |url=https://www.rtl.be/actu/magazine/culture/doja-cat-au-festival-les-ardentes/2023-12-14/article/618098 |access-date=January 4, 2024 |publisher=RTL-TVI |language=FR}} * {{Cite news |last=Sun |first=Michael |date=January 17, 2024 |title=Coachella 2024 lineup: Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and Tyler, the Creator to headline in April |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/jan/17/coachella-festival-2024-lineup-announced-released-headliners-lana-del-rey-doja-catt-tyler-the-creator-no-doubt-blur-ice-spice |access-date=January 31, 2024 |work=The Guardian}} * {{Cite magazine |last=Carter |first=Daisy |date=January 23, 2024 |title=Parklife unveil 2024 lineup, including headliners Doja Cat, Disclosure and J Hus |url=https://diymag.com/news/parklife-2024-lineup-doja-cat-disclosure-j-hus |access-date=January 31, 2024 |magazine=DIY}} * {{Cite web |last=Dunworth |first=Liberty |date=January 29, 2024 |title=Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat and 21 Savage lead the line-up for Wireless Festival 2024 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nicki-minaj-doja-cat-21-savage-lead-wireless-festival-2024-lineup-buy-tickets-3578562 |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=NME}}</ref> Fan registration for the tour took place on June 25, followed by its presale three days later. Tickets went on sale on June 30 via Ticketmaster.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Announces The Scarlet Tour: See Dates |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/doja-cat-tour-dates-announced-scarlet-tour-1235360138/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 5, 2023}}</ref>
At the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, Doja performed a medley of "Attention", "Paint the Town Red", and "Demons", dressed in a grey suit and glasses, and trailed by multiple dancers resembling the blood-soaked "Scarlet" alter ego.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |last2=Paul |first2=Larisha |date=September 13, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Brings 'Scarlet' Alter Egos to 2023 VMAs With 'Attention,' 'Paint the Town Red,' 'Demons' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-performance-2023-mtv-vma-awards-1234819731/ |access-date=September 20, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> Justin Curto of ''Vulture'' highlighted the performance as one of the best moments of the night, describing the "preppy" outfit as "giving Joan Cusack in ''School of Rock''",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=September 13, 2023 |title=The Highs, Lows, and Whoas of the 2023 VMAs |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/09/vmas-2023-best-worst-performances-recap.html |access-date=September 13, 2023 |website=Vulture}}</ref> while Joey Nolfi of ''Entertainment Weekly'' compared it to Britney Spears in the "...Baby One More Time" music video.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |date=September 13, 2023 |title=Doja Cat channels classic Britney Spears in epic VMAs performance |url=https://ew.com/mtv-video-music-awards/doja-cat-pays-homage-britney-spears-mtv-vmas-performance/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=September 13, 2023}}</ref> ''Pitchfork''{{'}}s Madison Bloom echoed Nolfi's sentiment while describing the dancers' choreography as "recall[ing] Luca Guadagnino's ''Suspiria'' remake" and praising the performance as one of the best of the night.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bloom |first1=Madison |last2=Herrera |first2=Isabelia |last3=Pierre |first3=Alphonse |date=September 13, 2023 |title=The Best and Worst of the 2023 MTV VMAs |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/the-best-and-worst-of-the-2023-mtv-vmas/ |access-date=September 14, 2023 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> In late September, Doja performed "Ouchies" and "Attention" at the 2023 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which was released as a Prime Video special titled ''The Tour '23''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hynes |first=Hayley |date=September 26, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's Victoria's Secret World Tour Performance Includes "Ouchies" Live Debut |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/717649-doja-cat-victorias-secret-world-tour-performance-ouchies-attention-video |magazine=HotNewHipHop |access-date=December 24, 2023}}</ref> The following month, she performed "Paint the Town Red" and "Agora Hills" on the ''Live Lounge''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=October 26, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Paints the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Red With Her Performance: Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-bbc-radio-live-lounge-performance-1235454952/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 24, 2023}}</ref>
=== ''Scarlet 2 Claude'' === [[File:Gustave Brion - Claude Frollo.jpg|thumb|upright|''Scarlet 2 Claude'' was inspired by Claude Frollo, the antagonist of ''The Hunchback of Notre-Dame'' (1831).]] During an interview on ''The Therapy Gecko Podcast'' in February 2024, Doja Cat confirmed that she was gearing to release the reissue of ''Scarlet'', tentatively named ''Scarlet 2: Claude Frollo''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Derrick |date=February 16, 2024 |title=Here's Doja Cat In A Full Gecko Costume, Discussing A Celsius-Fueled Beef She Nearly Got Into |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-therapy-gecko-podcast-video/ |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Uproxx}}</ref> On March 29, Doja Cat shared the reissue's cover art and release date. Some fans commented that the artwork resembled sheep's wool or pubic hair. In response, she criticized these comparisons and explained that "I had a photographer take a picture of the top of my head. And we blew it up and we made it so that my album cover is my hair. So my hair, to describe it, is 4C hair texture," referring to the classification according to the Andre Walker Hair Typing System.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossingol |first=Derrick |date=2024-04-02 |title=Doja Cat Responds To Criticism Of The Artwork For "Masc": "Let's Move Forward" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/782089-doja-cat-criticism-album-cover-lets-move-forward-hip-hop-news |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=Hot New Hip Hop |language=en-US}}</ref>
''Scarlet 2 Claude'' was released on April 5, 2024, containing seven new tracks. "Masc" featuring Teezo Touchdown was released simultaneously as a promotional single, accompanied by a music video directed by Doja Cat and Jamal Peters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=2024-03-29 |title=Doja Cat Announces New Single 'Masc' Ahead of 'Scarlet' Deluxe Edition |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/doja-cat-masc-scarlet-2-claude-frollo-deluxe-edition-1235955872/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> "Okloser" was sent to US pop radio as a single on April 19, 2024,<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421094606/https://hitsdailydouble.com/pop_mart%26id%3D340891%26title%3DHOT-NEW-RELEASES|url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/pop_mart&id%3D340891&title%3DHOT-NEW-RELEASES|title=Hot New Releases|website=Hits|date=April 19, 2024|archive-date=April 21, 2024|access-date=April 21, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> followed by a release to US rhythmic contemporary radio on April 23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=340946|title=A Recap of Radio Add Recaps|work=Hits|date=April 23, 2024|access-date=April 23, 2024}}</ref> On May 17, 2024, alternate versions of the reissue tracks "Disrespectful" and "Acknowledge Me" as well as the standard track "Shutcho" were added to ''Scarlet 2 Claude''. All tracks feature South African a cappella group the Joy, with whom Doja Cat had performed during her Coachella 2024 set.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Annie|date=May 17, 2024|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Music/2024/05/17/Doja-Cat-The-Joy-songs-Disrespectful-Shutcho-Acknowledge-Me/2281715949486/|title=Doja Cat releases three reimagined songs with The Joy|work=United Press International|access-date=May 17, 2024}}</ref>
''Scarlet 2 Claude'' is titled after Claude Frollo, the antagonist of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel ''The Hunchback of Notre-Dame''. On ''The Therapy Gecko Podcast'', Doja Cat revealed she chose to name the edition after Frollo because she felt that his tyrannical personality "connects to the story of ''Scarlet'' in some way," and serves as a "metaphor for the people that creatives endure on a daily basis in a bigger picture, a bigger scale."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossingol |first=Derrick |date=2024-04-02 |title=Doja Cat Shows Off Her Backside With 'Scarlet II: Claude Frollo' Art |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-scarlet-ii-claude-frollo-album-cover-art/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Commercial performance == ''Scarlet'' officially debuted at number four on the US ''Billboard'' 200 dated October 7, 2023. The album moved 72,000 album-equivalent units in its opening week, of which 6,000 were pure album sales. This marked Doja's third top ten album in the United States. ''Scarlet'' also opened at number two on both the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts, making it her first entry on the latter.<ref name="Scarlet sales">{{cite web|last=Caraan|first=Sophie|date=October 3, 2023|url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/10/doja-cat-scarlet-no-4-debut-billboard-200|title=Doja's new album sales|publisher=hypebeast|access-date=October 28, 2023}}</ref>
Internationally, the album peaked within the top 30 in every territory it charted in with the exception of Nigeria, where it peaked at number 45. In the United Kingdom, ''Scarlet'' debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart. The album also peaked within the top ten in New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Norway, Slovakia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, while reaching the top twenty in Poland, Switzerland, France, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Croatia.
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | ADM = 6.6/10<ref name="AnyDecentMusic?">{{Cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/13773/Doja-Cat-Scarlet.aspx|title=''Scarlet'' by Doja Cat reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=September 25, 2023}}</ref> | MC = 70/100<ref name="MC" /> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Staff|first=TiVo|date=September 22, 2023|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/scarlet-mw0004084927|title=Doja Cat – Scarlet Album Reviews, Songs & More|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=October 13, 2023}}</ref> | rev2 = ''American Songwriter'' | rev2score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AS">{{Cite magazine|last=Uitti|first=Jacob|date=September 25, 2023|title=Review: Doja Cat's 'Scarlet' is a Party on Fire|url=https://americansongwriter.com/review-doja-cats-scarlet-is-a-party-on-fire/|magazine=American Songwriter|access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Clash'' | rev3score = 6/10<ref name="Clash" /> | rev4 = ''The Guardian'' | rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="Guardian" /> | rev5 = ''The Independent'' | rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Independent" /> | rev6 = ''The Line of Best Fit'' | rev6score = 9/10<ref name="TLOBF" /> | rev7 = ''NME'' | rev7score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="NME" /> | rev8 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev8score = 5.9/10<ref name="Pitchfork"/> }}
''Scarlet'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean score based on ratings from publications, the album scored 70 out of 100 based on 13 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/scarlet/doja-cat|title=Critic Reviews for ''Scarlet''|website=Metacritic|access-date=September 22, 2023}}</ref> Aggregating ten critic scores, ''AnyDecentMusic?'' rated ''Scarlet'' a 6.6 out of 10.<ref name="AnyDecentMusic?"/>
''Variety''{{'s}} Jem Aswad dubbed ''Scarlet'' as Doja Cat's best album, giving heavy praise towards her songwriting and the album's production. He found some "sags in a couple of spots," but wrote that the album "sets a new bar on multiple levels, and not just for female rappers."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2023-09-22 |title=Doja Cat, Always Underestimated, Has the Last Laugh on the Fiery 'Scarlet': Album Review |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/reviews/doja-cat-scarlet-album-review-1235732474/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> PJ Somerville of ''The Line of Best Fit'' predicted that ''Scarlet'' would be a divisive listen, but lauded Doja Cat's ability to "paint a vivid picture" and "create a hit".<ref name="TLOBF">{{cite web|last=Somerville|first=PJ|title=Scarlet distorts the world of hip-hop for Doja Cat's own gain|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/doja-cat-scarlet-distorts-the-world-of-hip-hop-for-gain|date=September 22, 2023|access-date=September 22, 2023|website=The Line of Best Fit}}</ref> ''The Independent''{{'s}} Roisin O'Connor complimented how Doja Cat incorporated the styles of her musical influences, highlighting Nicki Minaj's "wide-eyed insouciance" on "Gun", D'Angelo's "gorgeous" croons on "Often" and Kendrick Lamar's "silky, dangerous tones" on "Demons".<ref name="Independent">{{cite web|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|title=Doja Cat, Scarlet review: She may troll her fans, but the rapper has never sounded more serious|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/doja-cat-scarlet-review-b2415923.html|date=September 22, 2023|access-date=September 22, 2023|website=The Independent}}</ref>
Nick Levine of ''NME'' found ''Scarlet'' to be an "overlong, slightly repetitive but ultimately compelling album of two halves."<ref name="NME">{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Nick|title=Doja Cat – 'Scarlet' review: her dark, twisted fantasy|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/doja-cat-scarlet-review-lyrics-tracklist-3501824|date=September 22, 2023|access-date=September 22, 2023|website=NME}}</ref> Alexis Petridis for ''The Guardian'' disliked the album's "weird" structure and distorted approach to its love songs.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|title=Doja Cat: Scarlet review – globe-conquering star comes out swinging at the stans|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/22/doja-cat-scarlet-review-globe-conquering-star-comes-out-swinging-at-the-stans|date=September 22, 2023|access-date=September 22, 2023|website=The Guardian}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone''{{'s}} Larisha Paul deemed ''Scarlet'' to be "just another chapter" of Doja Cat "burning the pages of the rulebook on pop stardom."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |date=2023-09-22 |title=Doja Cat Brawls in the Trenches of the IDGAF War on 'Scarlet' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/doja-cat-scarlet-review-1234829972/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> Concluding her review for ''Clash'', Madeline Smith wrote, "At its core, ''Scarlet'' is an interesting exploration into the world of ego trips, the trappings of fame, escapism and novelty, a welcome deviation with a heightened sense of maturity and finesse."<ref name="Clash">{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Madeline|title=Doja Cat – Scarlet|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/doja-cat-scarlet/|date=September 22, 2023|access-date=September 22, 2023|website=Clash}}</ref>
{| class="sortable wikitable" |+Year-end lists !Publication !Accolade !Rank ! class="unsortable" |{{Ref.}} |- |''Billboard'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2023 | {{center|7}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2023-12-06 |title=The 50 Best Albums of 2023: Staff List |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-albums-2023/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>}} |- |''BrooklynVegan'' |25 Best Rap Albums of 2023 | {{center|9}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=25 Best Rap Albums of 2023 |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/25-best-rap-albums-of-2023/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref>}} |- |''Clash'' |Albums of the Year 2023 | {{center|38}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=Albums Of The Year 2023 |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/general/albums-of-the-year-2023/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Clash Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>}} |- |''Complex'' |The 50 Best Albums of 2023 |{{center|4}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Jessica Mckinney, Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo, Eric Skelton, Jordan Rose, Kemet High, Katelina 'Gata' Eccleston, Kameron Hay, Alejandro De Jesus, Peter A. Berry, Grant Rindner, Insanul |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2023 |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-mckinney/best-albums-2023 |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Complex |date=December 14, 2023 |language=en-us}}</ref>}} |- |''HuffPost'' |The Best Albums of 2023 | {{n/a}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=The Best Albums Of 2023 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-albums-of-2023_n_65777ca5e4b0fca7ad21cdcd |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>}} |- | Hypebeast | The Best Music Projects of 2023 | {{n/a}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=The Best Music Projects of 2023 |url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/12/10-best-music-projects-2023-andre-3000-travis-scott-bad-bunny |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref>}} |- |NPR Music |Best Albums of 2023 | {{n/a}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Albums of 2023 |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/12/05/1211225533/best-albums-2023 |website=NPR|date=December 5, 2023 }}</ref>}} |- |''Stereogum'' |The 10 Best Rap Albums of 2023 | {{center|5}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=The 10 Best Rap Albums Of 2023 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2245160/the-10-best-rap-albums-of-2023/lists/year-in-review/2023-in-review/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref>}} |- |''Uproxx'' | The 2023 Uproxx Music Critics Poll | {{center|28}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-09 |title=Uproxx Music Critics Poll 2023: Albums |url=https://uproxx.com/critic-polls/uproxx-music-critics-poll-2023-albums/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US}}</ref>}} |- |''Variety'' |The Best Albums of 2023 | {{center|3}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Willman |first1=Chris |last2=Aswad |first2=Jem |last3=Garcia |first3=Thania |last4=Horowitz |first4=Steven J. |date=2023-12-11 |title=The Best Albums of 2023 |url=https://variety.com/lists/best-albums-2023/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>}} |}
==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_lyrics = Amala Zandile Dlamini | extra_column = Producer(s) | title_width = 32% | writing_width = 43% | extra_width = 25% | headline = ''Scarlet'' track listing | title1 = Paint the Town Red | writer1 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Burt Bacharach|Hal David|Isaac Earl Bynum|Jean-Baptiste Kouame|Karl Rubin|Ryan Buendia}} | extra1 = {{hlist|Earl on the Beat|Rubin|Jean-Baptiste|DJ Replay}} | length1 = 3:50 | title2 = Demons | writer2 = {{hlist|Dlamini|David Lewis Doman|Christina Doman}} | extra2 = D.A. Got That Dope | length2 = 3:15 | title3 = Wet Vagina | writer3 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Kurtis McKenzie|Oliver Rodigan|Jiseok Lee|Sung Woo Lee}} | extra3 = {{hlist|McKenzie|Cadenza|Flip_00}} | length3 = 3:12 | title4 = Fuck the Girls (FTG) | writer4 = {{hlist|Dlamini|McKenzie|Mike Riley|Elliot Dubock|Amil Raja}} | extra4 = {{hlist|McKenzie|Scribz Riley|Beat Butcha}} | length4 = 2:32 | title5 = Ouchies | writer5 = {{hlist|Dlamini|London Holmes|Devon Rhys Roberts|Sean Momberger|Philip Cornish|Tommy Brown|Luther Campbell}} | extra5 = {{hlist|London on da Track|Roberts|Momberger}} | length5 = 2:02 | title6 = 97 | writer6 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Sam Barsh|Jahlil Gunter}} | extra6 = {{hlist|Barsh|Jay Versace|}} | length6 = 2:57 | title7 = Gun | writer7 = {{hlist|Dlamini|McKenzie|Lee Stashenko|Aubrey Robinson}} | extra7 = {{hlist|McKenzie|Fallen|Boobie}} | length7 = 2:56 | title8 = Go Off | writer8 = {{hlist|Dlamini|McKenzie|Stashenko}} | extra8 = {{hlist|McKenzie|Fallen|Rian Lewis{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length8 = 3:17 | title9 = Agora Hills | writer9 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Bynum|Memishi|Pepple|Kouame|Brian Holland|Michael Smith}} | extra9 = {{hlist|Earl on the Beat|Gent!|Jean-Baptiste|Bangs}} | length9 = 4:25 | title10 = Can't Wait | writer10 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Bynum|Kouame|Jasper Harris|Presley Regier|Aaron Shadrow|Roy C. Hammond}} | extra10 = {{hlist|Earl on the Beat|Jean-Baptiste|Harris|Regier|Shadrow}} | length10 = 3:55 | title11 = Often | writer11 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Gunter|Ben Nartey|Derex Williams}} | extra11 = {{hlist|Jay Versace|Nartey}} | length11 = 3:18 | title12 = Love Life | writer12 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Gunter|Nartey}} | extra12 = {{hlist|Jay Versace|Nartey{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length12 = 3:56 | title13 = Skull and Bones | writer13 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Austin Owens|Adrian Sealy|Derek Kastal|Justin Robbins|Leonard LaTouche|Marcus Rucker}} | extra13 = {{hlist|Ayo the Producer|Kaeyos}} | length13 = 4:08 | title14 = Attention | writer14 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Ari David Starace|Rogét Chahayed}} | extra14 = {{hlist|Y2K|Chahayed|Mayer Hawthorne{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length14 = 4:35 | title15 = Balut | writer15 = {{hlist|Dlamini|David Sprecher|Chahayed|McKenzie}} | extra15 = {{hlist|Yeti Beats|Chahayed|McKenzie}} | length15 = 3:27 | total_length = 51:45 }} {{Track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title_width = 32% | writing_width = 43% | extra_width = 25% | headline = Digital edition bonus track | title9 = Shutcho | writer9 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Bynum|Gentuar Memishi|Bennett Pepple|Eric Stewart|Graham Gouldman}} | extra9 = {{hlist|Earl on the Beat|Gent!|Bangs}} | length9 = 3:07 | title17 = WYM Freestyle | writer17 = {{hlist|Dlamini|McKenzie|Bradley Powell|Sergio Romero}} | extra17 = {{hlist|McKenzie|Brad!|Serg Dior}} | length17 = 2:04 | total_length = 56:56 }} {{Track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title_width = 32% | writing_width = 43% | extra_width = 25% | headline = ''Scarlet 2 Claude'' track listing | title1 = Acknowledge Me | writer1 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Darhyl Camper}} | extra1 = Camper | length1 = 3:10 | title2 = Disrespectful | writer2 = {{hlist|Dlamini|James Austin Cyr|PJ Escobar|Timon Behar|Yann Cortequisse}} | extra2 = {{hlist|London Cyr|yeeshy|Kali Kali}} | length2 = 2:36 | title3 = Urrrge!!!!!!!!!! | note3 = featuring ASAP Rocky | writer3 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Derrick Hill|Kelvin Magnusen|Kory Fernie|Michael Holmes|Rakim Mayers|Tyler Jones}} | extra3 = DZL | length3 = 2:32 | title4 = Okloser | writer4 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Harris|Carter Lang|David Sprecher|Jared Solomon|Kevin Yancey}} | extra4 = {{hlist|Yeti Beats|Lang|Harris|Solomonophonic|Kevo}} | length4 = 2:49 | title5 = Masc | note5 = featuring Teezo Touchdown | writer5 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Aaron Thomas|Brensean Winston|Darryl Clemons|Kevin Andre Price|Mathias Liyew|Thomas Lumpkins}} | extra5 = {{hlist|Pooh Beatz|Go Grizzly|Tommy Parker|Ambezza}} | length5 = 3:25 | title6 = Piss | writer6 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Alex Petit|Henri Velasco}} | extra6 = {{hlist|CashMoneyAP|Hoops}} | length6 = 2:35 | title7 = Headhigh | writer7 = {{hlist|Dlamini|Emil Larbi|Kurtis McKenzie}} | extra7 = {{hlist|McKenzie|Emil}} | length7 = 3:19 | total_length = 20:26 }}
'''Notes''' * {{ref|a|[a]}} signifies an additional producer * The digital edition bonus tracks of ''Scarlet'' are inserted into the existing track sequence, advancing all subsequent entries by one position without omitting any original songs * A digital bonus edition of ''Scarlet 2 Claude'' on May 16, 2024 includes The Joy as features on new versions of "Disrespectful", "Acknowledge Me", and "Shutcho". The durations for these versions are 3:24, 3:42, and 4:30 respectively, the tracks are listed as being under a third disc on the release. * The digital bonus edition track listing from ''Scarlet'' is included in ''Scarlet 2 Claude'' on all editions, and on digital platforms are listed under a second disc. All tracks are included on the LP edition. * The additional tracks on ''Scarlet 2 Claude'', excluding the new version of "Shutcho", are stylized in all caps.
'''Sample credits'''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |title=Doja Cat Releases New Album Scarlet: Listen and Read the Full Credits |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/doja-cat-releases-new-album-scarlet-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/ |website=Pitchfork |date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023}}</ref> * "Paint the Town Red" contains a sample from "Walk On By", written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, as performed by Dionne Warwick. * "Ouchies" contains a sample from "Come On", written by Luther Campbell, as performed by Luke. * "Agora Hills" contains a sample from "All I Do Is Think of You", written by Brian Holland and Michael Lovesmith, as performed by Troop which originally performed by The Jackson 5. * "Shutcho" contains a sample from "I'm Not in Love", written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman, as performed by 10cc. * "Can't Wait" contains a sample from "Impeach the President", written by Roy C. Hammond, as performed by the Honey Drippers. * "Balut" contains a sample of Ric Flair.
==Personnel== * Doja Cat – vocals, executive production * Dale Becker – mastering (tracks 1, 5, 15) * Mike Bozzi – mastering (2–4, 6–14, 16, 17) * Serban Ghenea – mixing (1) * Neal Pogue – mixing (2–4, 6–8, 10–14, 16, 17) * Jesse Ray Ernster – mixing (5) * Rian Lewis – mixing (9), recording (all tracks) * Jeff Ellis – mixing (15) * Bryce Bordone – engineering (1) * Sam Barsh – engineering, keyboards (6) * Joe Harrison – engineering, guitar (4) * Julian Vasquez – engineering (16), recording (15, 16) * Katie Harvey – engineering assistance (1, 5)
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for ''Scarlet'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Australia|5|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Austria|22|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=October 3, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|30|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|23|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2023}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|4|artist=Doja Cat|rowheader=true|access-date=October 3, 2023}} |- ! scope="row"| Croatian International Albums (HDU)<ref name=Croatia>{{cite web|url=https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-40-tjedan-2023/|title=Lista prodaje 40. tjedan 2023|date=September 25, 2023|publisher=Top of the Shops|language=hr|access-date=October 13, 2023|archive-date=October 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013085823/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-40-tjedan-2023/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 18 |- {{album chart|Czech|6|year=2023|week=39|rowheader=true|access-date=October 2, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Denmark|15|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=October 4, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|6|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=September 30, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Finland|16|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=September 30, 2023}} |- {{album chart|France|12|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=October 2, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Germany|29|id=524019|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Hungary|21|year=2023|week=39|rowheader=true|access-date=October 5, 2023}} |- ! scope="row"| Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|title=Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 39 – 2023|publisher=Plötutíðindi|language=is|trans-title=The Music – Albums – Week 39 – 2023|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-date=October 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001184602/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 21 |- {{album chart|Ireland3|13|date=20230929|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Italy|22|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |- ! scope="row"| Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s39-2/|title=2023 39-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)|publisher=AGATA|language=lt|date=September 29, 2023|access-date=September 29, 2023}}</ref> | 5 |- {{album chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |- ! scope="row"| Nigerian Albums (''TurnTable'' Top 50)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/2|title=Official Top 50 Albums: September 22nd, 2023 – September 28th, 2023|magazine=TurnTable|access-date=October 5, 2023|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004193114/https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/2|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 45 |- {{album chart|Norway|4|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Poland2|11|date=22.09.2023–28.09.2023|rowheader=true|access-date=October 5, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|30|date=20230929|rowheader=true|access-date=September 30, 2023}} |- ! scope="row"| Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/36?weekId=2861|title=SK – Albums Top 100|publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|language=cs|access-date=October 2, 2023}}</ref> | 4 |- {{album chart|Spain|28|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|14|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=April 12, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|11|artist=Doja Cat|album=Scarlet|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2023}} |- {{album chart|UK2|5|date=20230929|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2023}} |- {{album chart|UKR&B|2|date=20230929|rowheader=true|access-date=September 30, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|4|artist=Doja Cat|rowheader=true|access-date=October 3, 2023}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|2|artist=Doja Cat|rowheader=true|access-date=October 3, 2023}} |} {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Scarlet 2 Claude'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2024-04-12|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=April 15, 2024|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> | 21 |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for ''Scarlet'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2024|title=Tops de l'année – Top Albums 2024|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=January 11, 2025}}</ref> | 175 |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/top-billboard-200-albums/|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 1, 2025}}</ref> | 55 |- ! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums/|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 1, 2025}}</ref> | 21 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Scarlet''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=October 27, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=May 20, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=May 13, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|access-date=May 20, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2023|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=December 20, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet 2 Claude|note=Scarlet 2 Claude|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2024|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=December 20, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=October 23, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet|award=Silver|type=album|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|id=21477-5208-2|access-date=October 4, 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Doja Cat|title=Scarlet|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=October 18, 2024}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
== Release history == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+Release dates and formats for ''Scarlet'' ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Edition ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="4" | Various | September 22, 2023 | {{Hlist|Box set|CD|digital download|streaming}} | Standard | rowspan="4" | {{Hlist|Kemosabe|RCA}} | align="center" | <ref>Citations concerning ''Scarlet'' release formats: * {{Cite web |date= |title=Doja Cat – ''Scarlet'' CD & T-shirt Box Set |url=https://store.dojacat.com/products/doja-cat-album-name-box-set |access-date=September 15, 2023 |website=Doja Cat Official Store |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915065335/https://store.dojacat.com/products/doja-cat-album-name-box-set |url-status=dead }} * {{Cite web |title=Doja Cat – ''Scarlet'' CD |url=https://store.dojacat.com/products/doja-cat-scarlet-cd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901091653/https://store.dojacat.com/products/doja-cat-scarlet-cd |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |access-date=September 7, 2023 |website=Doja Cat Official Store }} * {{Cite web |title=Doja Cat ''Scarlet'' Digital CD |url=https://store.dojacat.com/products/doja-cat-scarlet-digital-cd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907101343/https://store.dojacat.com/products/doja-cat-scarlet-digital-cd |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |access-date=September 7, 2023 |website=Doja Cat Official Store }} * {{Cite web |author=Doja Cat |date=September 22, 2023 |title=''Scarlet'' |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/scarlet/1704921687 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=Apple Music (US) }}</ref> |- | April 5, 2024 | rowspan="2" | {{Hlist|2=Digital download|3=streaming}} | ''2 Claude'' | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |author=Doja Cat |date=April 5, 2024 |title=''Scarlet 2 Claude'' |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/scarlet-2-claude/1739234520 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Apple Music (US)}}</ref> |- | May 16, 2024 | ''2 Claude'' (bonus edition) | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |author=Doja Cat |date=May 16, 2024 |title=''Scarlet 2 Claude'' |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/scarlet-2-claude/1746187435 |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=Apple Music (US)}}</ref> |- | October 18, 2024 | LP | ''2 Claude'' | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Doja Cat – ''Scarlet 2 Claude'' Deluxe Vinyl |url=https://store.dojacat.com/products/scarlet-2-claude-deluxe-vinyl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906044203/https://store.dojacat.com/products/scarlet-2-claude-deluxe-vinyl |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |access-date=September 6, 2024 |website=Doja Cat Official Store}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Doja Cat}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2023 albums Category:Doja Cat albums Category:Kemosabe Records albums Category:RCA Records albums Category:Albums produced by Beat Butcha Category:Albums produced by D. A. Doman Category:Albums produced by Kurtis McKenzie Category:Albums produced by London on da Track Category:Albums produced by Rogét Chahayed