Tia Tamera
"Tia Tamera" is a song by American singer and rapper Doja Cat featuring guest vocals from American rapper Rico Nasty. It was written and produced by Doja Cat, with production handled by Doja and Kurtis McKenzie, with additional songwriting by David Sprecher, Lydia Asrat, McKenzie, and Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly. It was released on January 31, 2019 by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records as the second single to the deluxe edition (and fourth overall) of her debut album Amala.
| "Tia Tamera" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Doja Cat featuring Rico Nasty | ||||
| from the album Amala (Deluxe Edition) | ||||
| Released | January 31, 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2018 | |||
| Studio | The Himalayas (Los Angeles, California)[1] | |||
| Length | 3:32 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Doja Cat singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Tia Tamera" on YouTube | ||||
Background and release
The single was released for digital download and streaming on January 31, 2019.[2] The song would eventually be released on SoundCloud on February 20, 2019.[3]
Composition and lyrics
The lyrics reference celebrities such as Aaliyah, Sia, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Regina Hall, Wiz Khalifa, Nia Long, Madea, organizations including Genius and PETA, films such as West Side Story, and brands such as Chia Pet, Ikea, Nokia.[4][5] The title track is rapped throughout the lyrics with comparisons of her breasts to twin actresses Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry.[6] Rico is the last verse on the song, and "flexes her bank account, [and] foreign whips".[7]
Critical reception
Okayplayer's Ivie Ani praises the track's lyricism, calling the composition as "raunchy, rebellious, and real rap". Brooklyn-based blog Brooklyn Vegan notes Rico's verse to be a "show-stopper",[8] while Uproxx's Andre Gee describe both the song and music video as an "earworm of a hook and a colorful video that allowed each artist to be the vibrant characters we love them as".[9]
Music video
The music video, directed by Roxana Baldovin, premiered on YouTube on February 21, 2019. As of January 2021, it has gained over 63 million views. The video is a "candy-colored visual" of Doja and Rico competing in a game show against respective lookalikes,[10] with reference to the sitcom Sister, Sister and the children's game show Double Dare.[4] The video gives a "colorful 90's vibe".[11] Pitchfork ranked it as one of their Top 20 Music Videos of 2019.[12]
Synopsis
The music video opens with Doja and Rico competing in a game show against their lookalikes.[13] The duo watch American rapper Ka5sh get slimed. The video references the 1997 comedy movie B*A*P*S with recreating hairstyles from the main characters of the film, Nisi, played by Halle Berry, and Mickey, played by Natalie Desselle.[5] During the last scenes, Doja and Rico pour neon yellow slime on the game show host.[13]
Credits and personnel
Recording and management
- Engineered at The Himalayas (Los Angeles, California)
- Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
- BMI Publishing, Inc./Prescription Songs (BMI), The Arcade Songs (BMI), Desta Melodies (BMI), Yeti Yeti Yeti Music/WC Music Corp. (ASCAP), WC Music Corp. (ASCAP)
- Rico Nasty appears courtesy of Warner Music/Atlantic Recording Corporation
Personnel
- Doja Cat – vocals, songwriting
- Kurtis McKenzie – songwriting; production
- Lydia Asrat – songwriting
- David Sprecher – songwriting; engineering as Yeti
- Rico Nasty – vocals, songwriting
- Neal H Pogue – mixing for Roselle New Jersey
- Mike Bozzi – mastering
Credits adapted from Hot Pink (Japan Version) liner notes.[1]
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[14] | Gold | 500,000 |
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Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | January 31, 2019 |
References
- Hot Pink (Media notes). Kemosabe Records.
- "Tia Tamera (feat. Rico Nasty) by Doja Cat on Apple Music". Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- "Tia Tamera (feat. Rico Nasty)". Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- Saponara, Michael (February 21, 2019). "Doja Cat & Rico Nasty Are 'Double Trouble' in New Colorful 'Tia Tamera' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- Kim, Michelle (February 22, 2019). "The Ones: Doja Cat's "Tia Tamera" [ft. Rico Nasty]". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- Was, Mike (February 21, 2019). "Doja Cat & Rico Nasty Team Up For The Hilarious "Tia Tamera"". idolator. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- Zidel, Alex (February 20, 2019). "Doja Cat & Rico Nasty Collaborate On "Tia Tamera"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- "19 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- Gee, Andre (February 22, 2019). "The Best New Rap Music To Have On Your Radar". UPROXX. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- Hussein, Wandera (February 21, 2019). "Watch Doja Cat and Rico Nasty's "Tia Tamera" video". The FADER. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- Marie, Erika (February 21, 2019). "Doja Cat & Rico Nasty Release '90s-Themed "Tia Tamera" Music Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- "The 20 Best Music Videos of 2019". Pitchfork. December 17, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- Mahadevan, Tara (February 21, 2019). "Doja Cat and Rico Nasty Participate in a Candy-Colored Game Show in "Tia Tamera" Video". Complex. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- "American single certifications – Doja Cat – Tia Tamera". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 25, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.