Attention (Doja Cat song)

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"Attention"
Cover art for "Attention": a bloody, naked Doja Cat and an upside-down letter "A" that covers her nipples and groin
Promotional single by Doja Cat
from the album Scarlet
ReleasedJune 16, 2023 (2023-06-16)
Recorded2022–2023
Genre
Length4:37
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Music video
"Attention" on YouTube

"Attention" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat. Written alongside producers Rogét Chahayed and Y2K, it was released on June 16, 2023, through Kemosabe and RCA Records as the first promotional single from her fourth studio album Scarlet, alongside a music video directed by Tanu Muino.[1]

Marking a departure from what she described as "cash-grabs" and "mediocre pop", "Attention" is a 1990s-inspired hip hop song with a trip hop beat in which Doja Cat addresses numerous criticisms and controversies surrounding her, including changes in her appearance, her social media presence, and comparisons to Nicki Minaj. It entered the top 40 of the charts in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

"Attention" received two nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards including Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.[2]

Background[edit]

Doja Cat in 2023

Doja Cat's second and third studio albums, the pop-oriented[3] Hot Pink and Planet Her, were released in 2019 and 2021, respectively. They both received critical and commercial success and peaked in the top-10 of the Billboard 200. Doja Cat later tweeted in April 2023 that most of her rap verses were "mid and corny" and that she would no longer be making pop music while, in May 2023, she tweeted that both of the aforementioned albums were "cash-grabs" and "mediocre pop".[4][5] In August 2022, she shaved both her head and her eyebrows during an Instagram Live, which received criticism from fans online, many of whom believed she was suffering from a mental health crisis and looked "unfuckable". She responded to the criticism in a tweet later that month, writing to fans that wanted her to "look fuckable", "Go fuck yourselves."[6] In an interview with Variety, Doja Cat said that her fourth studio album would be more focused on hip hop and would have a "more masculine direction".[7]

On April 17, 2023, Doja Cat shared snippets of various songs on Instagram Live and posted a list of 19 tracks considered for her upcoming album, including "Attention".[8] On May 24, she began teasing her album with tweets pairing a drop of blood emoji with the missives "scarlet was here" and "scarlet's watching," followed by "let myself heal, scar finally sealed."[9] On June 12, the pre-save link for "Attention" leaked early; the following day, Doja Cat officially announced the song, alongside placeholder cover art depicting an upside-down "A" drawn in blood and its release date of June 16, 2023.[10][11] The song was also made available to pre-order for digital download and as a CD single.[12] "Attention" was released through RCA Records and Kemosabe Records as Doja Cat's first solo release of 2023, as her second release in 2023 overall following her feature on a remix of SZA's 2023 song "Kill Bill", and as her first solo release since "Vegas", which was included in the soundtrack for the Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic, Elvis, in 2022.[13][14][15] "Attention" was produced by Y2K and Rogét Chahayed and written by both with Doja Cat.[15] It appeared on Doja Cat's fourth studio album, Scarlet.[16] She described it on an Instagram livestream as "not really a song, [but] more of, like, a piece — it's a message" which is "not really supposed to be replayed", but rather something that "would be a nice way to start off the whole rollout".[17]

Composition and lyrics[edit]

Nicki Minaj at the VMAs in 2018
The Weeknd in 2021
On "Attention", Doja Cat addresses comparisons of her to fellow rapper Nicki Minaj (left) and her decision to back out as an opener on the Weeknd's (right) After Hours til Dawn Tour in 2022

"Attention" is a midtempo hip hop[18] and trip hop[19] song with production inspired by 1990s hip hop[20] and jazz.[21] Its focus on rapping differed from Doja Cat's previously pop-focused musical output.[18] It begins with the sounds of a harp and a loon's call[20] before transitioning into a "dreamy"[22] chorus sung by Doja Cat over a boom bap[7] breakbeat,[3] with lyrics ostensibly describing her vagina[23] as a docile pet: "Baby, if you like it, just reach out and pet it/This one doesn't bite, it doesn't get aggressive/Show you how to touch it, hold it like it's precious/It don't need your loving, it just needs attention".[6] The first verse addresses her decision to withdraw as an opener from the North American leg of the Weeknd's 2022 After Hours til Dawn Tour due to her tonsil surgery ("I could've been an opener, I redirect the bookin") and criticisms of her shaved head and weight loss ("Lost a lil' weight, but I ain't never lost a tushy/Lookin' good, but now my bald head match my [pussy]") and her social media ("Talk your shit about me, I can easily disprove it, it's stupid/You follow me, but you don't really care about the music").[20][3] She also addresses those who pretend to be her fans and express feigned concern for her mental wellbeing ("I readed all the comments saying, 'D, I'm really shooketh'/'D, you need to see a therapist, is you looking'") and the money and attention that they get when she decides to respond to their criticisms online ("You're lucky 'cause I just paid your bill with a reply").[6] In the second verse, Doja Cat raps about rappers who "fall into beef" with other rappers and dismisses comparisons of her to Nicki Minaj, who she refers to as "the hottest".[14][6] Doja Cat later called online accusations that this was a diss toward Cardi B a "reach" in a tweet posted soon after the song's release.[22]

Steffanee Wang of Nylon summarized the lyrics of "Attention" as being about "what it means to be a popstar in 2023: putting yourself up unconditionally for other people's consumption, being at the mercy of your fans and haters".[6] Kyann-Sian Williams of NME called the song "haunting" and "vicious", while Slant's Sal Cinquemani compared Doja Cat's flow on the song to that of Lauryn Hill.[13][3] For The Face, Olive Pometsey wrote, "'Attention' appears to be an attempt [for Doja Cat] to assert herself as a 'proper' rapper, stripping away any pop production to leave the spotlight on her bars.[24]

Critical reception[edit]

For The A.V. Club, Hattie Lindert praised Doja Cat's delivery on the song as "calm, confident, and freshly invigorated" and called the first verse on "Attention" "one of [Doja Cat's] strongest verses in a minute". Lindert also stated that Doja Cat's "talents on the mic"—writing that she was "rapping more skillfully than ever" on "Attention"—and her being comfortable "inching away from pop stardom" suggested that a change in her musical style "could be good for the music".[25] Thomas Galindo of American Songwriter called the song's verses "powerful" and "impressive".[23]

Commercial performance[edit]

“Attention” debuted at number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated July 1, 2023.[26] "Attention" debuted at number 30 on the ARIA Singles Chart for the week dated June 26, 2023, giving her her 21st entry on the chart overall and her first entry in the chart's top 50 since "I Like You (A Happier Song)", her collaboration with Post Malone, peaked at number seven in June 2022.[16] On the UK Singles Chart, "Attention" debuted at number 37 to become her 14th top-40 on the chart.[27]

Music video[edit]

The music video for "Attention", directed by Tanu Muino, was released concurrently with the song.[23] It begins with Doja Cat driving into a crowd of crazed fans and paparazzi, whose faces become distorted as flashbulbs appear.[3] She then starts walking down a busy street in Los Angeles at night in a white t-shirt, a leather duster, low-rise flared jeans, and seven chain necklaces, as she avoids belligerent passersby and street vendors and later walks past pedestrians wearing mangled, flesh-colored masks.[25][14][22] Doja Cat also appears naked and covered in blood in several brief scenes in the video, while dancing naked in a kaleidoscopic lens in other scenes.[3][21]

Accolades[edit]

Awards and nominations for "Attention"
Organization Year Category Result Ref.
MTV Video Music Awards 2023 Video of the Year Nominated [28]
Best Direction Nominated
Best Art Direction Won
Grammy Awards 2024 Best Melodic Rap Performance Nominated [29]
Best Rap Song Nominated

Track listings[edit]

  • Digital download and streaming
  1. "Attention" – 4:37
  1. "Attention" – 4:37
  2. "Attention" (Clean)
  3. "Attention" (Instrumental)

Credits and personnel[edit]

Song credits

Music video credits

  • Production Company – Underwonder Content
  • Tanu Muino – director
  • Braden Anderson – assistant director
  • Nikita Kuzmenko – director of photography
  • Robert Katz – producer
  • Frank Borin – executive producer
  • Ivanna Borin – executive producer
  • Titica – post producer
  • Briana Goldberg – producer manager
  • Spencer Graves – production designer
  • Joseph Bicknell – video colorist
  • Carlos Font Clos – video editor
  • Charles Lenz – video key grip operator
  • Scott Moody – video gaffer
  • Tilt VFX & Roma VFX – video Vfx
  • Frender – video additional Vfx
  • Max Colt – video additional Vfx superior

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Attention"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 30
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[31] 10
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[32] 29
Global 200 (Billboard)[33] 28
Greece International (IFPI)[34] 27
Ireland (IRMA)[35] 27
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[36] 18
Lithuania (AGATA)[37] 26
Netherlands (Single Tip)[38] 10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[39] 16
Portugal (AFP)[40] 102
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[41] 19
UK Singles (OCC)[42] 37
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[43] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[44] 31
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[45] 11
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[46] 39
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[47] 25

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Attention"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[48] Gold 20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[49] Gold 40,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Attention"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various June 16, 2023
[50]
United States CD single [12]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lane, Barnaby (September 15, 2023). "What you need to know about Doja Cat's new blood-covered alter ego, Scarlet, and what it represents". Insider. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  2. ^ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Cinquemani, Sal (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat Demands 'Attention' with '90s-Inspired Single and Video". Slant. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Dailey, Hannah (May 10, 2023). "Doja Cat Says 'Planet Her' & 'Hot Pink' Were 'Cash-Grabs,' Reveals New Album Title". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Fitzgerald, Trent (April 9, 2023). "Doja Cat Admits Her Rap Lyrics Are Corny, Says 'No More Pop'". XXL. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e Wang, Steffanee (June 16, 2023). "On Doja Cat's "Attention" & The Warped Fan-Celebrity Relationship". Nylon. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Corrine, Amber (June 15, 2023). "Doja Cat Grabs Fans' "Attention" In Bizarre Teaser For New Song". Vibe. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  8. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (April 18, 2023). "Doja Cat Teases Snippets Of Her New Album And Shares The Possible Tracklist". Uproxx. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  9. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 13, 2023). "Doja Cat (FKA Emcee Flapchunks the 3rd) Teases New Single". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  10. ^ Aniftos, Rania (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat Commands 'Attention' With New Single: Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  11. ^ Williams, Aaron (June 13, 2023). "Doja Cat Shared The Provocative Artwork For Her Next Single After The Pre-Save Link Leaked Early". Uproxx. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Doja Cat - Attention (CD Single)". Doja Cat Store. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Williams, Kyann-Sian (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat unveils new single 'Attention' with creepy new video". NME. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Mier, Tomás (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat Bites Back on Scorching Rap Single 'Attention'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Minsker, Evan (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat Shares Video for New Song "Attention"". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (June 26, 2023). "Dave & Central Cee Land A Third Week At #1 With 'Sprinter'". The Music. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  17. ^ Paul, Larisha (July 11, 2023). "The Internet Went From Playground to Minefield for Artists Like Doja Cat -- So They're Logging Off". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Vito, Jo (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat grabs our "Attention" with new single: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "Doja Cat Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved April 10, 2024. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citation= ignored (help)
  20. ^ a b c Haile, Heven (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat: "Attention"". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Gonzalez, Alex (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat Shares 'Attention,' Her New Song And Video". Uproxx. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c Zhan, Jennifer (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat's New Music Video Has Our 'Attention'". Vulture. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c Galindo, Thomas (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat Detonates on Haters in New Single "Attention"". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  24. ^ Reed, Davy; Pometsey, Olive (June 20, 2023). "The best new tracks, picked by our staff". The Face. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Lindert, Hattie (June 16, 2023). "Doja Cat's new single "Attention" deserves to be heeded (and seen)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  26. ^ Billboard (January 2, 2013). "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Griffiths, George (June 21, 2023). "Dave & Central Cee fly into third week at Number 1". Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Official Charts Company.
  28. ^ Grein, Paul (August 8, 2023). "Taylor Swift Is Top Nominee for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (Complete List)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  29. ^ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  30. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  32. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  33. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  34. ^ "IFPI Charts". www.ifpi.gr. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  35. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  36. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of June 28, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  37. ^ "2023 25-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  38. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 24/06/2023". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  39. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  40. ^ "Doja Cat – Attention". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  41. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 25". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  42. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  43. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  44. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  45. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  46. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  47. ^ "Doja Cat Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  48. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Doja Cat – Attention" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  49. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Doja Cat – Attention". Music Canada.
  50. ^ "Attention - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
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