Released: 2021 • Features: SZA
“Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat featuring SZA is a flirtatious anthem celebrating youthful, carefree love and desire. The song rides on the pulsating sounds of pop-infused hip-hop, affirming the female agency in modern relationships through sultry lyrics and confident tones.
The track opens with a smooth and addictive hook from Doja Cat, setting the tone for the whole tune. The line “We’re so young, boy, we ain’t got nothing to lose” is a nod to the carefree and exploratory nature of young love, with the risk attached being minimal, allowing for maximum enjoyment. “It’s just principle” adds an impressive subtext, suggesting that their connection goes beyond physical attributes – it’s a principled, deeper bond that they share.
Doja’s explicit expression of desire in “Boy, you write your name, I can do the same” shows an outright role switch. Traditionally in hip-hop, it’s the men marking their territories, but here, Doja is reclaiming the narrative, suggesting parity in their dynamic. The idea of taste “All on my tongue, I want it” is a playful innuendo, emphasizing sensuality and her active pursuit of pleasure.
Viewing the line “I feel like fucking something but we can be corny, fuck it”, it’s clear that Doja Cat is defining her own sexual experiences on her terms, unabashed about combining raw carnality with tender sentiments – a stark contrast to the often one-dimensional portrayal of women’s sexuality in hip-hop.
SZA’s verse brings a bolder assertion of female autonomy. “Say, give me a buck, need that gushy stuff” can be seen as her calling for reciprocity in their relationship, asserting her sexual desires without reservation. “Fucking with you feel like jail, nigga” could be interpreting the societal limitations that women often face when expressing their sexuality, likened to a form of imprisonment. Her subsequent lines “Pussy like holy grail, you know that. You gon’ make me need bail, you know that” links back to the ‘jail’ metaphor, addressing the idea of pleasure being so addicting it’s criminal.
“Kiss Me More” is an unapologetic celebration of female sexual expression. It breaks down societal norms about feminine desire and emphasizes the importance of equal pleasure in relationships. Yet, it’s not just about the physical aspect, it’s also about the emotional connection, authenticity, and genuine affection – elements often overlooked in mainstream hip-hop narratives about romance.