By Riley Dauber
Elm Staff Writer
Rapper and singer Doja Cat has reportedly quit music following an incident in Paraguay, where a group of fans were disappointed that she didn’t come out and greet them after her show was canceled.
On March 24, she tweeted, “This shit ain’t for me so I’m out. Y’all take care.”
Then, on March 25, in a now-deleted tweet, she said, “i f– quit i can’t wait to f– disappear and i don’t need you to believe in me anymore. Everything is dead to me, music is dead, and i’m a f—— fool for ever thinking i was made for this this is a f—— nightmare unfollow me.”
The tweets led many fans to speculate that Doja Cat was quitting music after releasing albums consistently from 2018 to 2021.
Her debut album, “Amala,” released in 2018, “Hot Pink” in 2019, and, most recently, “Planet Her” in 2021. Prior to her debut album, she made and released music on SoundCloud.
According to a Rolling Stone article, Doja Cat was supposed to perform in Paraguay at the two-day Asuncion festival. However, the festival was canceled due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
After the cancellation, Doja Cat tweeted: “When I left the next morning there wasn’t one person outside the hotel waiting for me. Let that sink in.”
Some fans responded to her tweet, saying that “they spent a full day at the hotel, [and] she didn’t come out to greet them,” according to the Rolling Stone article.
In response, Doja Cat tweeted: “I regret spending all the time I did getting ready that day for the show I’ve been busting my a– every day to put on for but god bless.” The string of tweets were since deleted.
The argument, and Doja Cat’s quick decision to quit her career, sparked conversation once again about how fans and celebrities interact, including how fans believe celebrities “owe” them visits, meet-and-greets, or even content.
Doja Cat’s decision comes only a few weeks after Mitski tweeted about how she doesn’t like when fans film her concerts, as it takes away from the intimate and immersive experience.
Other videos of musicians performing at concerts recently gained traction on social media sites, like Instagram and TikTok. A heartbreaking video of indie singer Clairo performing her song “Blouse” shows her uncomfortable reaction to a fan yelling out, “you’re so hot.”
Singer-songwriter Lorde was also recorded singing an acapella version of her song “Writer in the Dark,” as she tried to show her fans the personal message of the song. However, filming it takes away from the purpose of the performance, as she strips back the instruments and focuses on the vocals, the words.
As more and more artists start performing again following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have noticed fans interacting poorly with their favorite celebrities, including the aforementioned Doja Cat and Clairo.
When Doja Cat was performing her song “Ain’t Shit,” which frequently features the n-word, at concerts, many white fans would say the word along with her.
The videos of these performances sparked controversy on TikTok as many criticized the fans at concerts and online for saying or lip-syncing the slur.
The recent Doja Cat controversy is another example of awkward fan-celebrity interactions. Many fans waited outside in the pouring rain to see Doja Cat after her performance was canceled, but she never promised a meet-and-greet or tour.
Regardless, the whole situation lacked communication between the celebrity and fans. A meet-and-greet was not promised, and Doja Cat never announced that her show was canceled.
Needless to say, Doja Cat’s quick decision to end her music career disappointed many fans, but the decision was ultimately up to her.
Her most recent tweet assured fans that she would still be releasing content and wrapping up loose ends.
“I got videos to film i got performances to do and i got content to drop so i’m pooping it out and dippin. I ain’t gone yet,” she tweeted on March 31.
The most recent news involving Doja Cat is when she, along with SZA, accepted the Grammy Award for Pop Duo/Group Performance on April 3.
“I like to downplay a lot of shit, but this is a big deal,” Doja Cat said in her acceptance speech.