Vegas (Doja Cat song)

"Vegas" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat. It was released through Kemosabe Records and RCA Records as the lead single from the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic, Elvis, on May 6, 2022.^[1] The official music video for the song was released on June 2, 2022.^[2] It became Doja Cat's seventh top-ten single on the US Billboard Hot 100 and received a nomination at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance and a nomination at 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards for Best Song.

"Vegas"
Single by Doja Cat
from the album Elvis: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released	May 6, 2022 (2022-05-06)
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:02
Label	Kemosabe RCA
Songwriter(s)	Amala Dlamini Rogét Chahayed David Sprecher Jerry Leiber Mike Stoller
Producer(s)	Chahayed Yeti Beats
Doja Cat singles chronology
"Get Into It (Yuh)" (2022) "Vegas" (2022) "I Like You (A Happier Song)" (2022)
Music video
"Vegas" on YouTube

Composition

The song's lyrics refer to a man who was an "underwhelming lover"^[3] whom Doja Cat feels "never deserved her attention".^[4] Produced by Rogét Chahayed and Yeti Beats, it samples Shonka Dukureh's recording of the song "Hound Dog", which was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, first recorded by Big Mama Thornton (who Dukureh plays in the film) in 1952 and notably covered by Presley.^[5]

Critical reception

Writing for Consequence, Carys Anderson felt that Doja Cat "lives up to the challenge" of Luhrmann "pairing historical content with modern music", calling it "Ain't Shit" meets "Hound Dog".^[6] Wongo Okon of Uproxx remarked that Doja "raps with a vengeance".^[3]

Commercial performance

"Vegas" peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Doja's seventh top-ten single. The song also reached number one on the Pop Songs chart, making it the first solo soundtrack song to reach the top of that chart since Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling!" in 2016. It also makes her the artist with the most number ones on Pop Songs this decade among women.^[7]

Live performances

Prior to its official release, Doja Cat performed "Vegas" for the first time during the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. She was joined by Shonka Dukureh, who performed the sample she provided for the song.^[8]

Music video

The music video was released on June 2, 2022. It is directed by child., and features a cameo by Dukureh, who portrays Big Mama Thornton in Elvis.

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Vegas" Chart (2022–2023) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[9] 4 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 14 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[11] 2 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[12] 30 CIS Airplay (TopHit)[13] 138 Global 200 (Billboard)[14] 28 Greece International (IFPI)[15] 22 Hungary (Single Top 40)[16] 19 Iceland (Tónlistinn)[17] 18 Ireland (IRMA)[18] 15 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[19] 8 Lithuania (AGATA)[20] 15 Netherlands (Single Tip)[21] 19 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[22] 3 Portugal (AFP)[23] 100 Romania (UPFR)[24] 10 Romania (Romanian Radio Airplay)[25] 4 Romania (Romania TV Airplay)[26] 3 South Africa (TOSAC)[27] 18 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 93 Turkey (Radiomonitor Türkiye)[29] 9 UK Singles (OCC)[30] 24 US Billboard Hot 100[31] 10 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[32] 23 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[33] 10 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[34] 2 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[35] 1 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[36] 1

Year-end charts 2022 year-end chart performance for "Vegas" Chart (2022) Position Australia (ARIA)[37] 33 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[38] 38 Global 200 (Billboard)[39] 128 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40] 32 US Billboard Hot 100[41] 47 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[42] 7 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[43] 22 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[44] 44 2023 year-end chart performance for "Vegas" Chart (2023) Position US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[45] 15 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[46] 31

Certifications

Certifications for "Vegas"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[47]	2× Platinum	140,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[48]	Gold	15,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49]	Diamond	160,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[50]	2× Platinum	160,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[51]	Gold	45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[52]	2× Platinum	60,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[53]	Gold	25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[54]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[55]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Vegas"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Various	May 6, 2022	Digital download streaming	Kemosabe RCA	[1]
Italy	May 13, 2022	Radio airplay	Sony	[56]
United States	July 12, 2022	Contemporary hit radio	Kemosabe RCA	[57]
	August 16, 2022	Rhythmic contemporary		[58]