Released: 2020
“Boss Bitch” by Doja Cat is a fierce, self-empowering anthem that wastes no time in establishing its brash, confident tone. The track finds Doja celebrating her independence, success, and unabashed self-expression, with a strong dose of defiance thrown in for good measure.
The song starts with the proclamation, “I ain’t tryna be cool like you,” as Doja Cat asserts her individuality. She doesn’t aspire to follow the norm – she’s proud of her quirks and unusual ways. The lines, “Wobblin’ around in your high-heeled shoes, I’m clumsy, made friends with the floor,” are her embracing her imperfections – not afraid to fall, and not seeking anyone’s approval.
As she continues, “First thing a girl did was a bop, I’m the whole damn cake and the cherry on top,” she’s referencing her rise to fame – from her first hit to becoming one of the big names in rap. She then draws a playful parallel with partygoers to show how she doesn’t follow trends, “Ken in the club tryna pipe a Barbie, I don’t wanna go, go, go with the flow”
The chorus rings with, “I’m a bitch, I’m a boss”, Doja Cat relishes the power and control she possesses. In the hip-hop game, she’s both, a tough woman and a boss running her own show. “I’m a bitch and a boss, I’ma shine like gloss,” signifies her shining success, with gloss referring to a lustrous and polished presence in an industry that often lacks shine for women artists.
In the subsequent verses, she goes on a self-empowering tirade, “I’ve been the stallion, you’ve been the seahorse”, suggesting that she’s the stronger, more dominant one – a label often reserved for male counterparts in the genre. She continues, “I wear the hat and I wear the pants, I am advanced so I get advance,” emphasizing that she’s playing multiple roles, making her own decisions and enjoying the fruits of her work.
Finally, the line “Said, boo, don’t be mad ’cause you had a chance,” serves as a parting shot to anyone who might feel envious or slighted by her success. It’s a reminder that she worked her way up from the bottom, and those who missed their shot at success have no one but themselves to blame.
In sum, “Boss Bitch” offers an in-your-face celebration of Doja Cat’s confidence and dominance in the game. She unapologetically proves that ladies can be bosses too, and she’s not here for anyone or anything that says otherwise.
