Maps of Music

Hot Pink (2019)

Where the lyrics of Hot Pink take you, and where it was really made.

Released on a Thursday instead of the usual Friday, the album debuted at number 93 on the Billboard 200 and later climbed to number nine.

Key places

Recorded at Gold Diggers' Bar (2019)

Recording site Gold Diggers' Bar — The album's recording is credited to Gold Diggers' Bar in Los Angeles, a venue on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at The Hive (2019)

Recording site The Hive — The Hive in downtown Los Angeles is listed as a recording location for the album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Engineered at Sound Factory (2019)

Recording site The Sound Factory — Sound Factory in Los Angeles is listed as an engineering location for the album's recording. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Engineered at Westlake Recording Studios (2019)

Recording site Westlake Recording Studios — Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles is listed as an engineering location for the album's recording. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Engineered at Hit Factory Criteria, Miami (2019)

Recording site Criteria Studios — Hit Factory Criteria in Miami is listed as an engineering location for the album's recording. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Hot Pink: second studio album by American rapper and singer Doja Cat
• Released November 7, 2019 by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records
• A departure from the sound of her debut album Amala (2018)
• Pop, hip-hop, and R&B record with elements of funk and soul
• Production by Doja Cat herself, Yeti Beats, Tyson Trax, and others
• Guest appearances from Smino, Gucci Mane, and Tyga

Background

• Doja Cat first achieved mainstream success as an internet meme star in August 2018 with the single Mooo!
• Revived older material earned her first two Billboard Hot 100 entries: a remix of Juicy with Tyga and Candy
• She told the Los Angeles Times she wanted Hot Pink to earn her more respect as a rapper
• Amala was repackaged into a deluxe version in March 2019
• She revealed the album title in July 2019 and announced the album with its track listing and cover on November 2, 2019
• She has often said Amala was not a finished album and did not fully represent her as an artist
• She stopped smoking marijuana while recording Hot Pink and found her songwriting improved
• The title reflects her favorite color, which she said describes passion, warmth, and welcome
• She called the record a firm restart for her career and the most refined version of herself

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Early life

• Born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini on October 21, 1995, in Tarzana, Los Angeles, California.
• Her mother is an American graphic designer; her father is a South African performer of Zulu descent known for Sarafina!.
• Raised partly at the Sai Anantam Ashram in Agoura Hills, then in Oak Park, California.
• Dropped out of high school at 16 and began making music on her own, uploading to SoundCloud.

Career

• Signed to Kemosabe Records (RCA) at 17; debut EP Purrr! released in 2014.
• Debut album Amala (2018) was ignored by critics; the viral single "Mooo!" later brought her wider attention.
• Hot Pink (2019) broke through with "Say So", her first Billboard Hot 100 number one with Nicki Minaj.
• Planet Her (2021) produced several top-ten hits including "Kiss Me More" with SZA, which won a Grammy.
• Scarlet (2023) shifted toward hip-hop, led by the US number-one "Paint the Town Red".
• Vie (2025) marked a return to her pop roots.
• Named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2023.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Critics gave generally favorable reviews, praising its versatility and mix of genres
• Metacritic weighted average of 73 out of 100 from 6 critic scores
• Sandra Song of Paper called it a witty, irreverent, transgressive encapsulation of Doja Cat's abilities
• Meaghan Garvey of Billboard called it a playful, polished collection of freaky rap and R&B
• Ben-Beaumont Thomas of The Guardian described the record as superb
• Jordan Bassett of NME wrote that Doja Cat is a pop contender with the drive to go as far as she wants
• Lucy Shanker of Consequence of Sound said she is in control throughout, though the format shows some weaknesses
• Lakin Starling of Pitchfork said her versatility is a gift and that the sound does not feel scattered like Amala

Reappraisal

• In 2023, Doja Cat herself described the album, along with its follow-up Planet Her, as mediocre pop and a cash grab
• Included on year-end lists by XXL, Vibe, Complex (number 49), Rolling Stone's Kyle Rice (number 7), and NME (number 40)

Records

• US Billboard 200: debuted at number 93, rose to number 19, later peaked at number nine in May 2020
• Peak at number nine was her first top 10 entry on the chart
• UK Albums Chart: debuted at number 96 in November 2019, peaked at number 38 in March 2020
• Certified gold in the UK for 100,000 album-equivalent units in May 2021
• Certified double platinum in the United States by the RIAA
• Nominated for Favorite Soul/R&B Album at the 2020 American Music Awards and Top R&B Album at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards
• Doja Cat won Best New Artist at several 2020 and 2021 award shows, with Hot Pink and Say So both credited

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Released on a Thursday, November 7, 2019, which was unconventional since Friday is often Global Release Day for new music
• The remix of Juicy with Tyga debuted at number 83 on the Hot 100, becoming Doja Cat's first career chart entry
• Doja Cat announced on November 10, 2019 that a music video for Say So was coming, and it was released on January 28, 2020
• The Juicy remix's video features Doja Cat in food-inspired costumes such as a sliced watermelon and a cherry sundae
• Hot Pink later became known for producing singles long after its release, spawning seven singles

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Maps of Ages ↗ (mapsofages.com)

Privacy · Contact