Here’s how Doja Cat addressed sampling Plini in her rock “Say So” set
Back in November, Doja Cat treated fans to a rock reimagination of her mega-hit “Say So” during the 2020 EMAs.
However, Australian progressive rock guitarist Plini soon pointed out that one of his songs was lifted for the performance without permission. Now, Plini has revealed what Doja Cat said to him after the ordeal.
Read more: We finally know where and when we can watch ‘Paradise City’ season 1
Doja Cat has performed various reimaginations of her viral hit “Say So” over the past year. For her 2020 EMAs appearance, however, she channeled the rock gods and transformed the single into a mega rock-hit. The performance even included a nod to a horror movie classic.
During the performance, however, Plini heard something very familiar in the “Say So” rendition. The guitarist revealed on Twitter that part of Doja Cat’s arrangement included his song “Handmade Cities.” Plini released the song on his debut full-length album back in 2016.
“Someone tell @DojaCat that if she digs the arrangement of this at 2:50 onwards, then she would love my song ‘handmade cities.’”
someone tell @DojaCat that if she digs the arrangement of this at 2:50 onwards, then she would love my song “handmade cities” ?https://t.co/jkAKCFSVf7
— Plini (@plinirh) November 9, 2020
Read more: This ‘Jackass’ reunion is exactly what we needed in 2020
Plini further elaborated on the situation on Instagram. In a post, he says that MTV “borrowed a few elements” from his song. Given the nature of the industry, however, he isn’t surprised about not receiving credit for his song.
“In case you missed it,” he said. “@dojacat‘s recent performance of ‘say so’ for MTV borrowed a few elements from my song ‘handmade cities’ for its new live arrangement. I think it’s an awesome performance (shout out to the homie @laribasilio – sick playing!). and more than anything, find it absolutely hilarious that something i wrote 4 years ago in my bedroom would find its way here.”
View this post on Instagram
Read more: Here are all of the collabs on Taylor Swift’s surprise album ‘evermore’
Now, Plini has revealed that Doja Cat has personally apologized for the whole situation. As well, he tells Music Radar that he is now “pretty much stoked” about everything that happened.
“I made a comment on Twitter, not really accusing anyone of anything but just because I thought it was funny… and then it turned into this whole thing,” he says. “I suppose the fans really did all the work, they had all the outrage on my behalf. I was just sitting back wondering what the fuck was happening and finding it hilarious.”
He also says that the musical director of the “Say So” performance “had been inspired” by his song “Handmade Cities.” Now, Plini thinks the whole situation was an honest misunderstanding.
“The best part of all this is that I woke up one day with a string of voice messages from her [Doja Cat] in my DMs, saying sorry and that she wished she’d known about all of this and wished they could have credited me properly,” he says. “And also praising my song and thanking me for being nice about it.”
Although the situation has been resolved, Plini says that it’s the “number one strangest thing” to happen in his career.
“Life is so fucking weird,” he says. “As far as I’m concerned it’s a great story.”
Plini’s “Handmade Cities” can be streamed below.
What are your reactions to Doja Cat lifting Plini’s song for her “Say So” performance? Do you think it was an honest mistake? Let us know in the comments below.
