Doja Cat just made history as the first female rapper to claim full writing credits on her album, “Vie”. Here’s why this milestone matters in the music industry.
Doja Cat has always thrived on defying expectations, but her latest achievement carves out a new lane in music history. She didn’t just drop an album — she dropped a record-breaking statement with her new album, “Vie”. With her fifth studio album, she became the first female rapper to claim writing credit on every track, turning her chart-topping release into a landmark moment for creative ownership. It’s a feat that feels very “Doja”: bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore.
Read also: How to dress iconic like Doja Cat: Extra, fearless, and always the main event
Why this matters beyond the headlines
In an industry where female artists are often sidelined in conversations about authorship, Doja Cat’s full ownership sends a powerful message: women aren’t just voices for hire; they’re architects of their own sound. Female rappers like Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Nicki Minaj have long been celebrated for writing their own material, but even among such groundbreaking names, claiming full writing credits on every track of a rap album is unprecedented. This places Doja Cat alongside a small circle of artists who have staked their claim as writers.
View this post on Instagram
What makes this Doja Cat moment unique is not just the achievement itself, but the way it reflects her broader career arc. She’s built her brand on unpredictability, whether through bold reinventions of her sound or her often-chaotic relationship with fans online. Owning her pen is a natural extension of that rebellion, granting her control over her narrative both inside and outside the studio.
This achievement underscores an evolving industry where authenticity is currency. True music lovers crave authenticity, and Doja Cat delivers it by writing her own lyrics. Her milestone isn’t just personal; it signals a shift in how women’s artistry is valued in music. With “Vie”, Doja Cat has turned authorship into influence.
“Vie”, a 15-track album that unveils the full spectrum of Doja Cat’s artistry
Beyond this milestone, “Vie” is bold and restless. The album draws on 80s pop influences that are currently shaping the fashion around her album press roll-out. The opener “Cards” plays its confidence aloud. “Jealous Type” pulses with tension and pop flair. “AAAHH MEN!” alternates between satire and sincerity. “Couples Therapy” digs into relationship cracks. “Gorgeous” is cinematic, disruptive and vivid. “Stranger” warps intimacy and distance. “All Mine” stakes claim in dramatic strides. “Take Me Dancing” moves in rhythm and promise.
Each song feels distinct, but all carry Doja’s voice. The lyrics are direct, clever, and personal. She blends humour with honesty and stamps every beat with her fingerprint.
Her artistry comes alive in the video for “Gorgeous.” Dropped during Fashion Month, it’s steeped in style and spectacle. Doja Cat surrounds herself with top models like Anok Yai, Alex Consani, Paloma Elsesser, Amelia Gray, Ugbad Abdi, Yseult, Sora Choi, Imaan Hammam, Ida Heiner, and Mona Tougaard. The video becomes a runway fever dream, riffing on the idea that it’s “a crime to be gorgeous.”
Pulling back, what “Vie” does — in sound, in visuals, in authorship — is claim space. With “Vie”, Doja Cat hasn’t just delivered a lush, theatrical pop album. She’s affirmed that the glamour, the visuals, the spectacle are part of her authorship. Owning full writing credits wasn’t just a milestone. It gives weight to everything she touches, from her tracks to video to statements; she isn’t just releasing music, she is re-establishing her reign.
Read more: Ayra Starr’s “Hot Body” and exploring sensuality through music
