American rapper Doja Cat has found herself in a controversy with Filipino listeners following her decision to name her latest single after a well-known Filipino street food, "Balut." The track was released on September 15, and while the rapper offered an explanation for her choice, it left many Filipino fans baffled.
In an Instagram Story on Sunday, Doja Cat explained, "I named the song 'Balut' because it signifies a bird that’s being eaten alive. It’s a metaphor for Twitter stans (obsessive fans) and the death of Twitter toxicity. The beginning of ‘X’ and the end of ‘tweets.’”
However, this metaphor did not sit well with Filipino commentators who were quick to point out the inaccuracy of her statement. "Balut" is a popular Filipino street food made from a fertilized duck egg that is boiled or steamed and typically consumed between 14 and 21 days of development, not a live bird.
Some individuals viewed her explanation as culturally insensitive, with one Twitter user stating, "Eaten alive? Who eats balut alive? Girl, you don’t need to shame my culture if you don’t understand it."
Doja Cat's record label RCA Records has yet to respond to the controversy.
"Balut" is a dish that can be polarizing. While it may be presented as an exotic or unusual food on travel and food shows outside of Southeast Asia, it holds a special place in Filipino cuisine and culture.
Despite the criticism regarding her metaphor, Doja Cat shared her thoughts on the taste of balut during an Instagram Live session. She remarked, "Balut was good. It reminded me of liver. It was almost like you can tell that it’s a small [serving] that is high [in] fat. I can taste the vitamins in it. You just know that [it is] good for you immediately. I liked it. [But] I don’t think I had it properly. It was still warm."
"Balut" is part of Doja Cat's upcoming fourth studio album, "Scarlet," set to be released on Friday, September 22.