RCA-signed Doja Cat is typically known for her pink aesthetic, artfully playful raunchy lyrics, and overall high vibe. The internet rapper finally got the flowers she was owed in 2018 when her self-produced video “Mooo!” gained her mainstream attention when she uploaded it to YouTube. SZA is an R&B vocalist, inspired by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill, whose signature soulful crooning is powerful enough to spark collabs with artists like Doechii and Kendrick Lamar.
The two previously worked together on the April 2021 release “Kiss Me More,” which closes out Doja’s June 2021 album, Planet Her with a sweet and sunny vibe. However, the new “Kill Bill” remix brings out the darker side of Doja Cat that we got to see on other songs like “Boss Bitch”, and “Been Like This”
The Kill Bill Remix Review
Produced by Carter Lang and Rob Bisel, the original “Kill Bill” carries the same 16-bit video game vibe that the e-girl is known for, very similar to Planet Her. SZA’s “Kill Bill” legacy is a very powerful one. Having released the original version of the track on December 9, 2022. the artist has gone above and beyond to relate the story in her song to the plot points of Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 movie of the same name. The new remix, produced by Carter Lang and released in April, brings a fresh narrative to the phenomenon of being so jealous that you are driven to madness.
“The song opens up with Doja Cat diving into her take on an all too human story:
I’m in a funk, so I bought a bouquet of roses“
In a show of Doja’s creative lyricism, when she says “I paid a lotta money for the fragrances you wore when we were dating/ And I sold some lemonade just to afford them.” It is a beautiful double entendre that leaves the listener imagining Doja Cat at an actual lemonade stand selling cups of refreshment to buy her man some cologne. When it is a call out to the Lyrical Lemonade brand which helps promote underground rappers by publishing interviews, creating videos, and providing a platform that up-and-coming artists can trust. This statement tells us that Doja had to sell some songs to treat him as lavishly as she did.
Review Continued
The storytelling of “Kill Bill” reminds me of Nicki Minaj’s 2013 release “Highschool,” as Doja Cat ends her verse with:
‘”Cause she was seein’ red, and all I saw was you
It happened in a flash when she charged at me
Y’all criss-crossed, saw her fall to the floor
Then you paused there in horror, that shot wasn’t for her
(Was it?)“
SZA and Doja Cat’s sounds are incredibly complementary to each other. And when SZA joins for the chorus and the second verse. The untrained ear might mistake one for the other. The whole song evokes a comic-book mood. To the point where I can envision the gritty, DC Comics-like imagery to go along with the story. Without ever having seen the visuals of either version of the song. The two women do a phenomenal job of painting the picture. Not of a villain, but of someone so lovesick they make a mistake out of desperation.
And, in the end, yes, it is insane, but the listener can’t help but have sympathy for this woman. Especially when the bridge explains:
“I did it all for love (Love)
I did it all on no drugs (Drugs)
Wrapping It Up
Now, obviously, Doja Cat and SZA have not lived this story physically. But it is a real story that has played out in real life more than a handful of times. All I can imagine is that the duo was watching some kind of crime show together. And were wildly inspired by the story. In spite of the gruesome and dark theme of the story, this song is both relatable and replayable.
Having been through some dark times of my own. Where similar storytelling is the only thing that kept me sane through the really rocky parts. I highly encourage anyone working through a rough patch in their life to find solace in this song. There are repercussions for the actions taken within this song. And I feel that this tune serves as a reminder that it’s not worth it to let a man drive you crazy.