Pop stars like Taylor Swift and nation acts like Morgan Wallen have topped the 2023 music charts, a far cry from the previous few years the place hip-hop tracks have dominated.
The hip-hop neighborhood had not achieved a primary track all 12 months till September, when artist Doja Cat dropped her single “Paint the Town Red.”
Following the discharge, the rapper instantly fell right into a pit of criticism and controversy because the track’s accompanying music video had imagery that folks referred to as “satanic.” The backlash brought about an uproar on-line from the singer’s followers, who’ve already feuded along with her earlier this 12 months.
Despite the controversy, Doja nonetheless offered out the Kaseya Center on the twelfth cease of her 24-city Scarlet Tour on Tuesday, Nov 21.
The evening was an important day as rapper Ice Spice — who hit peak recognition after her track “Munch (Feelin’ U)” went viral — opened up for the primary time on Doja’s tour.
Spice’s followers, often known as “munches,” had been loud and proud as they sang alongside to her 26-minute lengthy set, which featured hits like “Bikini Bottom,” “In Ha Mood” and “The Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2.”
Then got here the principle occasion, as Doja opened what would begin a five-act live performance.
In the primary act, a satanic-like determine got here out backstage and thru itself right into a gap within the stage. From the outlet got here out Doja, being lifted up on a sequence, and sporting a fierce all leather-based outfit.
Her band got here in swinging as they broke into “WYM Freestyle” to set the stage. The roaring, distorted guitar paired with electrical drums felt like a rock live performance, with some attendants even headbanging at occasions.
The monitor was adopted by her single “Demons,” the place she carried out alongside a large animatronic spider taken straight off her latest album cowl.
Act two contained tracks reminiscent of “Attention,” “Often” and “Balut.” The most particular a part of this setlist was a canopy of “Red Room,” initially by the band Hiatus Kaiyote, through which your complete area lit up as Doja confirmed off her singing skills.
Her track “Ain’t S—” stuffed the sector with a deafening noise because the hundreds in attendance screamed the lyrics of the monitor.
Act three was made for many who got here for Doja’s multi-platinum hits like “Woman,” “Need to Know” and “Get Into It (Yuh),” all of which featured unbelievable dance numbers.
Her efficiency of “Kiss Me More,” a duet with R&B artist SZA, was a spotlight of the third act. As Doja sang the intro in an acapella vogue earlier than the refrain hit, the lights obtained brighter and her band joined in for probably the most pop second of the evening.
Act 4 featured an intriguing efficiency of “Paint the Town Red” as Doja got here out with a large eyeball mascot and rapped across the stage.
She adopted this with an unbelievable transition from “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” into “Streets,” the place pink lights lined the stage and a highlight adopted Doja. Her dance crew got here out for a efficiency of “F— The Girls (FTG)” as flames spouted out from the stage and surrounded Doja as she went all in.
Before the fifth act began, a skit on the titantron confirmed Doja happening a drive as she skipped by old songs on the radio, together with her first viral hit, “Moo.” This remaining arc was strictly stuffed with tracks like “97,” “Go Off,” “Ouches” and “Can’t Wait from her most recent studio album, “Scarlet.”
By the top, Doja had carried out a whopping 24 songs — together with the whole lot of her new album — with visuals that projected the essence of her character and music. The solely factor that might’ve made the present remotely higher is an excellent longer setlist.
With no backing tracks, a full band and gracefully-unique choreography, Doja Cat went all in and gave her followers precisely what they wished and extra.
