Rules (Doja Cat song) explained

Rules
Cover:Doja Cat - Rules.png
Alt:A photo of a nonspecific reptile's green scales, vertically symmetrical. The singer's name "Doja Cat" is shown in white at the center of the image. Beside it is the song title "Rules", shown in pink.
Type:single
Artist:Doja Cat
Album:Hot Pink
Released:October 24, 2019
Recorded:2018
Studio:Eightysevenfourteen (Los Angeles, California)
Genre:
Length:3:07
Chronology:Doja Cat
Prev Title:Bottom Bitch
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Cyber Sex
Next Year:2019

"Rules" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat, released on October 24, 2019, as the third single from her second studio album Hot Pink (2019). The song was written by Doja Cat, Yeti Beats, Lydia Asrat, Uptown AP of R. City, and producers Salaam Remi, Tyson Trax, and Ben Billions.[3] Soon after its release, the song became popular on Twitter, and Doja Cat's performance was noted to be influenced by Kendrick Lamar.[4]

Background

"Rules" was released as the third single from Doja Cat's second album Hot Pink as well as being the third track on the album. Doja Cat first teased the song by releasing a still from the music video on her Instagram account on October 16, 2019 as well as another shot from the video on October 22, 2019.[5] [6] The song was announced upon its release along with its music video premiere.

Music video

On October 24, 2019, a music video was released alongside the song's release. Directed by Christian Sutton while video production was handled by Psycho Films, the video portrays Doja as the boss of a Cat Mafia gang with the video taking place in the desert.[7] [8]

Critical reception

Lakin Starling of Pitchfork wrote, "[Rules] captures a more serious—though hardly humorless—mood, pairing eerie old-western bass with Doja's memorable command: 'Play with my pussy, but don't play with my emotions.'"[9] Following the release of the song, Shaad D'Souza of The Fader placed the song on the 20 Best Pop Songs Right Now list admiring the "loose, funky production" as well as Doja's "charisma and charm".[10]

Many publications, such as Elle and Pitchfork, praised "Rules" and cited the similarities of Doja Cat's lyrical delivery to those of Kendrick Lamar.[11]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Hot Pink liner notes.[3]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2019)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] 17
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[13] 8
US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[14] 25

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
VariousOctober 24, 2019[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The 20 best pop songs right now. D'Souza. Shaad. October 30, 2019. The Fader. en. May 30, 2020.
  2. Web site: Pierre . Alphonse . New Rap Song of the Day: Doja Cat "Rules". Pitchfork . October 28, 2019 . 7 August 2021.
  3. Hot Pink. Kemosabe Records.
  4. Web site: The Ones: Doja Cat's "Rules". Pierre. Alphonse. October 28, 2019. Pitchfork. en. May 30, 2020.
  5. Web site: Doja Cat on Instagram: "I tried contact lenses for the first time. Also I have a surprise for you guys.". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/dojacat/2156060902112942773_2156060898119912211 . December 25, 2021 . registration. Instagram. en. May 30, 2020.
  6. Web site: Doja Cat on Instagram: "I got something completely new for you guys on Thursday. #HOTPINK ". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/dojacat/2160656445288005074_2160656441521513269 . December 25, 2021 . registration. Instagram. en. May 30, 2020.
  7. Doja Cat Runs the Feline Mafia in 'Rules' Video. Aniftos. Rania. October 25, 2019. Billboard. May 30, 2020.
  8. Web site: Doja Cat Destroys Cars And Slithers With Snakes In Villainous 'Rules' Video. https://web.archive.org/web/20191025132541/http://www.mtv.com/news/3143544/doja-cat-rules-video/. dead. October 25, 2019. Alston. Trey. October 24, 2019. MTV News. en. May 30, 2020.
  9. Web site: Starling. Lakin. November 14, 2019. May 31, 2020. Hot Pink – Review by Pitchfork. Pitchfork.
  10. Web site: The 20 best pop songs right now. D'Souza. Shaad. October 30, 2019. The Fader. en. May 30, 2020.
  11. Web site: Doja Cat Just Wants to Make Rap Colorful. Penrose. Nerisha. November 11, 2019. ELLE. en-US. May 30, 2020.
  12. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. November 4, 2019. May 31, 2020.
  13. Doja Cat – Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart History. https://web.archive.org/web/20200608162720/https://www.billboard.com/music/doja-cat/chart-history/RBU. dead. June 8, 2020. . November 8, 2019.
  14. Doja Cat Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales). Billboard. May 30, 2020.
  15. Web site: Rules – Single by Doja Cat. Apple Music. en-us. May 30, 2020.