Doja Cat, the multi-talented rapper and singer, delivered a dazzling performance of her new songs from her upcoming album Scarlet at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday night. The star, who is also the host of the show, took the stage at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in a teacher-inspired outfit surrounded by backup dancers dressed in red.
Doja Cat Brings Scarlet Alter Egos to VMAs
The performance began with Doja Cat singing “Attention”, a sultry song that showcases her vocal range and is nominated for three awards, including Video of the Year. She walked through the crowd, interacting with fans and celebrities, while two dozen bloodied replicas of her Scarlet alter ego trailed her around the stage.
She then transitioned into “Paint the Town Red”, a catchy song that samples Dionne Warwick’s classic “Walk on By”. She stripped off her jacket and skirt, revealing a red bodysuit, and jumped into a car with her dancers. They drove around the stage, creating a chaotic scene of smoke and fire.
The medley concluded with “Demons”, a hard-hitting rap song that features Doja Cat’s signature flow and witty lyrics. She let her hair down and rapped with full force under fluorescent yellow lights. She was joined by her dancers, who performed a choreographed dance as papers flew around them in the air.
Doja Cat Nominated for Five Awards
Doja Cat had five nominations in total for 2023, among them Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration for “I Like You (A Happier Song)” with Post Malone. She also won two awards: Best Direction and Best Art Direction for “Attention”. She previously won Best Choreography for “Woman” in 2022 and Best Collaboration for “Kiss Me More” with SZA in 2021.
Doja Cat to Release Scarlet on September 22
Doja Cat has been teasing her fans with singles from her highly anticipated album Scarlet, which is set to come out on September 22. She has already released “Attention” and “Paint the Town Red”, which have received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. She also recently dropped “Demons”, which features a guest verse from Lil Uzi Vert.
Scarlet is the follow-up to Doja Cat’s 2021 album Planet Her, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned several hits, such as “Woman”, “Need to Know”, and “You Right”. The album also featured collaborations with The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Young Thug, and JID.
Doja Cat will be embarking on her first-ever North American tour in support of Scarlet this fall with support from Ice Spice and Doechii on select dates. The tour kicks off in San Francisco on Halloween and runs through December.
