So, let’s talk about this whole debate around DOI being compared to Nicki Minaj. Ever since she dropped her song Extra L with Jennie from BLACKPINK, a lot of people have been pointing out that DOI sounds a lot like Nicki.
Now, I’ve been saying this for a while—DOI definitely reminds me of Nicki, but at times, she also gives me Doja Cat and even Azealia Banks vibes. Honestly, I feel like DOI is what Azealia Banks should have been. She has her own unique style, no doubt, but she also pulls inspiration from other artists. And when it comes to Nicki? The influence is hard to ignore. Whether it’s her sound effects, cadence, flow, or even certain lyrics, you can definitely hear the similarities.
Some fans have pointed this out, and there’s even a viral reel comparing DOI’s rap style to Nicki’s on songs like Roger That, Roman Holiday, and Bottoms Up. When you listen to them side by side, it’s clear as day. Of course, Nicki’s fanbase was quick to notice, but DOI’s supporters weren’t having it.
One person said:
“Every time a female rapper gets big, y’all compare her to Nicki. Give it a rest! We need a new storyline. DOI is a student of hip-hop and takes inspiration from multiple artists, which is why she’s so talented. If you want to be great at something, you study it—that’s exactly what she’s doing.”
Then there was this… interesting take:
“I couldn’t be more of an anti-Barb, but I do hear the similarities. It’s like if Nicki had actual lyricism, substance, and fresh creativity—but she don’t! So, DOI took those nachos and turned them into a burrito. I know that’s right!”
Yeah… that last comment? Makes absolutely no sense.
So now people are saying DOI is copying Nicki? I mean… they’re not wrong. But let’s be real—that’s just the industry. Every new artist gets compared to someone before them. When Nicki first came out, people swore she was copying Lil’ Kim. Fast forward to today, and now every female rapper is being compared to Nicki.
It’s not hard to see why. Nicki has been the dominant female rapper of this generation. Her influence is everywhere—she literally laid down the Pinkprint. So it’s impossible for new artists not to pick up some of her style. But there’s a difference between being inspired and just straight-up copying, and some people feel like DOI is doing the latter.
Here’s my take: I think DOI knows she sounds like Nicki sometimes. And honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if her team pushes it on purpose to stir up some buzz—maybe even bait Nicki into responding. I just hope Nicki doesn’t fall for it.
That being said, I wouldn’t call DOI a Nicki clone. She’s not giving that Queen Diva Baddie energy. She’s more quirky, theatrical, and experimental. Some people even compare her to Grace Jones, which honestly fits. She’s bold, she’s out there, and she does her own thing. The Nicki influence is obvious, but she’s still carving out her own lane.
At the end of the day, comparisons like this are inevitable. Nicki’s impact is too big to ignore. DOI is definitely inspired by her, but I hope she doesn’t lean too much into it—because as long as those comparisons stick, people will always question if she’s truly original.
That said, I think DOI is going places. She’s got the talent, the versatility, and the star power. She’s doing her thing, and I respect it.
Now, let’s talk about Coco Jones and her new single, Taste.
Coco is dropping her debut album, Why Not More, and she just put out Taste—which, by the way, samples Britney Spears’ Toxic. And honestly? I kind of like it. The internet has been eating her up over it, but personally, I think it works.
Now, the video? Ehh. I wasn’t feeling it. The choreography felt forced—like she was trying too hard to be sexy instead of letting it come naturally. There’s nothing wrong with stepping out of your comfort zone, but it just didn’t feel seamless. I actually prefer the quiet, effortless sultriness she gave us in Here We Go. That video worked for her.
As for the song itself? I like it, but not everyone does. Some people feel like the sample needed tweaking—maybe pitching it down for a smoother sound. Others say the chorus is off and Britney’s voice sounds weirdly Cher-like.
Here’s what people are saying:
“Coco sounds amazing, but the sample could’ve been done differently. Industry songwriters are getting lazy—her voice deserves better.”
“I don’t think the song is bad, but the chorus is weird. Why does Britney sound like Cher?”
“The video was awkward. Coco isn’t a dancer, and the sexiness didn’t feel natural.”
“The choreography was too busy. Sometimes, less is more when it comes to being sexy.”
Overall, reactions are mixed. Some love it, some don’t, and some just feel like the video wasn’t the right direction for her. Either way, Coco is switching things up, and that’s always going to spark debate.
One comment that really stood out said:
“This sample is terrible, I’m sorry. Nothing about it sounds fresh or original. She better scrap this from the album—there’s still time. Love her down, but this sounds ridiculous!”
Now, here’s my take: The song is cute, but if you’re going to sample Toxic, you have to come with a hit. And if you’re going to do this kind of choreography, the dancing needs to be sharper. Honestly, I don’t think people are looking for urban mid-tempos from her as much as she might want to give them.
This whole thing feels very Normani-coded, and that’s part of the issue. The sample sounds forced and unoriginal, and overall, it doesn’t feel like Koko. A lot of people pointed out that the video reminded them of Normani, and while some of that could be because they’re both dark-skinned women in the industry, I can’t lie—I kind of see it too. Some of what Coco was trying to pull off felt like something Normani has already done.
But the thing is, Normani is a natural dancer, so her movements are a lot smoother. Koko has different strengths. She can dance, but this kind of choreography just doesn’t feel like her, and that’s okay! Not every artist needs to be doing high-energy dance numbers.
That said, I’m not going to knock her for trying something new. She’s clearly experimenting and figuring out where she fits artistically. But I do think she should stick to what works for her. I also hope she’s not being pushed by her team to “sex things up” because not everyone needs to go that route. The industry already tries to put Black women into that hyper-sexualized box, and that’s just not Koko’s lane. I don’t want her to feel like she has to go in that direction either.
But that’s just my take! Let me know what you think about the video in the comments. And of course, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you care.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time. Bye!