When is a music video greater than only a music video?
“C’mon, it’s solely a music video.”
At this level, it’s all too predictable: a middling however comparatively profitable feminine music artist goes all-in on satanic imagery and — just like the temptation the satan put earlier than Jesus — instantly they’ve obtained the keys to the dominion.
Beyonce Knowles. Katy Perry. Cardi B. Miley Cyrus. Et cetera, et cetera.
So when rapper-singer Doja Cat launched a brand new music video during which she dons a demonic persona and terrorizes an unwitting sufferer (performed by actress Christina Ricci, in an obvious nod to her “Addams Household” roots), effectively, let’s simply say it’s barely newsworthy these days.
Or is it?
The music video for “Demons,” directed by Christian Breslauer, pays homage to a number of the biggest horror movies of all time, from the snowy static of old-school late-night TVs to the notorious bathe scene from “The Shining.” With regards to style, the video leaves little question as to which class Breslauer prefers.
And whereas we received’t share the video itself right here as a consequence of its extreme profanity, sinister themes and blatant satanic imagery, a lot of its content material may be gathered from social media posts which Doja Cat — whose actual identify is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamin — shared on her Instagram web page.
On Aug. 22, the artist posted a silhouette of herself carrying horns with the caption, “9.1.23” in reference to the debut of “Demons,” prompting one fan to remark, “The non secular individuals will love this one.”
Days later, she shared a picture from the video shoot during which she may be seen hanging the other way up from the ceiling and carrying an all-black latex-style physique swimsuit with black horns atop her head and lengthy, claw-like fingernails.
One other picture confirmed Doja Cat scaling the partitions of the identical room.
“Demons” is reportedly the sixth monitor from Doja Cat’s soon-to-be-released album titled Hellmouth.
Get it? Demons. Hellmouth. Satan horns. Nothing to see right here. As a result of for Doja Cat, none of that is notably new.
Her hit “Paint the City Pink,” which was launched simply final month, has 30 million views on YouTube and is the No. 12 high music video on the complete platform.
That video additionally has no scarcity of satanic imagery, together with the artist actually dancing on high of some kind of horned demon head whereas carrying a sleeve adorned with — you guessed it — pink pentagrams.
Oh yeah, and in that video, Doja Cat additionally flirts with the Grim Reaper whereas carrying an all-red hooded gown, eats uncooked meat whereas carrying a cross necklace and shirt with the phrase “FERAL,” and once more wears horns on her head whereas getting accustomed to one other darkish horned determine.
You understand, simply typical music video stuff.
And possibly that’s what that is all about.
“Paint the City Pink,” in any case, is a kind of response music to criticism aimed toward Doja Cat over the darkish imagery in her movies and whether or not she, like Robert Johnson and so many earlier than her, really bought her soul to Devil.
It’s not as if Doja Cat doesn’t notice the influence she may need on her viewers; she’s laughed off accusations about her “demonic” tattoo and even modified her profile picture on TikTok to a demonic face.
So, clearly, she’s not involved with making the mistaken impression that she would possibly, simply possibly, have a style for the satanic.
And make no mistake, the music business is taking discover: not solely is Doja Cat set to carry out on the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards this month — the place she’s additionally nominated for finest video of the 12 months and artist of the 12 months — however she’s additionally headlining the upcoming “Victoria’s Secret World Tour on Prime Video.
Which begs the query: why not simply come out and say it? Why not simply be trustworthy together with your fan base and inform them who you actually are?
Or if that is some kind of advertising and marketing play and/or initiation ritual (no emails, please), why not simply say that? Why promote the product within the first place if that’s not your model?
The factor is, the satan doesn’t present up with horns and pitchforks, however really masquerades as an angel of sunshine, one thing stunning, wonderful even: “And no surprise, for Devil himself masquerades as an angel of sunshine.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)
However whereas earlier than the demons of this age felt the necessity to conceal their true identification, within the 12 months of our Lord 2023, they will not be bothered with such technicalities.
As a substitute, it’s in our face, on our kids’s gadgets. It permeates the tradition. It glories in the truth that most individuals simply don’t know their Bibles. It feeds on our theological ignorance.
And it completely loves lukewarm Christianity.
However relaxation assured, like so many earlier than it, “Demons” isn’t simply one other music video.
It’s a business for the whole lot that we, as Christians, are presupposed to hate and, in Christ, finally relegate to the dustbins of historical past.
Ian M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Put up and the writer of BACKWARDS DAD: a youngsters’s guide for grownups. He may be reached at: [email protected].
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