On Sunday night (Nov. 22), the American Music Awards (AMAs) aired on ABC and Doja Cat took home the awards for New Artist of the Year and Favorite Female Soul/R&B artist — although some fans believe her music should be labeled as pop.
There is no denying that the Hot Pink songstress had a hell of a year musically. Her hit Nicki Minaj-assisted single, “Say So (Remix),” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She was also featured on tracks with the City Girls, Chloe x Halle, Ariana Grande, Ari Lennox and Lil Wayne.
After winning the Soul/R&B award, Doja took the stage in disbelief. “Wow. There’s a bunch of people I really wanna thank and I’ve forgotten some names because I did not know this was about to happen,” she said.
However, her Soul/R&B win sparked a little controversy on social media. She won the award over Jhené Aiko and Summer Walker, who both did numbers with their most recent albums Chilombo and Over It. Fans don’t believe her music is considered soul or R&B and they took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
“I’m a Huge Doja Cat fan, but I’m confused how she is considered a Soul/R&B artist?! Lol #AMAs,” tweeted @MCWoodsOfficial.
Social media user @_loveRachel_ wrote, “Since when has Doja Cat been a Soul/R&B artist?! #AMAs.”
“Just because someone’s Black doesn’t mean their music is automatically RnB/Soul…….and like we’re tired of having to have this conversation….. like more micro-aggressions and stereotypes,” tweeted @stephaneemath.
Twitter user @hunnybeetr33 tweeted, “This is very offensive to actual soul/r&b artists. That’s not her genre and she shouldn’t have been nominated in this category… awards really mean nothing now.”
“So, in the AMAs for best female soul & r&b artist of the year, Doja Cat won over JHENÉ AIKO & SUMMER WALKER!?” tweeted @Kalina_x. “Nah throw the whole show away cause wtf they buggin.”