Doja Cat has used her headlining appearance at this year’s Global Citizen Fest to issue a call to action directly to her fans, one in which she’s already taken the lead.
The annual concert took place in New York City’s Central Park on Saturday (September 28) and hosted a crowd of 60,000 fans in person, in addition to countless others who tuned in online. Following her performance, Doja took a moment to address the audience, reinforcing the theme set forth for this year’s festival.
“Millions of men, women, and children in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the Congo and all across the world are suffering,” she began. “In times like these, it is important to remember that together, we have the power to bring change, love, light and hope to those who need it most. I joined forces with Global Citizen to help people in areas of conflict and crisis, and I know so many of you joined me in taking action to earn your tickets to be here tonight.
“But we can’t stop now. Please keep using your voice to help those fleeing violence get the food, shelter and education they need and very, very much deserve. There is a beauty and strength in all of you who are watching this and who choose to be here tonight, and this is our time to put it into what matters most, and that is life right now.”
Doja Cat speaks up against the injustice happening in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, the Congo & other countries at @GlblCtzn festival tonight.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 29, 2024
Back in June, Doja Cat and Post Malone were announced as the headliners for the 2024 Global Citizen Fest.
The event also featured Rauw Alejandro and Jelly Roll as headliners, with Hugh Jackman returning as host. Additional performers included Lisa (of K-Pop group Blackpink), Benson Boone and RAYE.
This year’s mission for the show was to “drive action and encourage governments around the world to increase financial support for anti-poverty programs, protect and restore the Amazon rainforest, and improve equitable access to healthy food, stronger health care systems and education,” per a press release.
In a statement, Doja Cat said: “It’s been a few years since I was last on the Global Citizen Festival stage in Paris, and I’m excited to join forces with Global Citizen once again in Central Park this September to drive as much action as we can to make the world a better place. We all have a part we can play to help end extreme poverty and stand up for equity. I’m looking forward to being part of this major evening of positive change.”
Her repeat appearance on the Global Citizen stage is just another indication of Doja Cat’s ever growing influence across the world.
And it comes just weeks after she, 50 Cent, and Cardi B were among the names listed as ‘honorable mentions’ ahead of Billboard‘s release of their list of the 25 greatest pop stars of the last quarter century.
Set to roll out throughout the coming months, many names didn’t didn’t make the cut for various reasons, and for some, it’s simply a matter of not having enough material.
As the publication described it: “[They] were great enough to get strong consideration for our top 25, but ultimately just didn’t quite have either the stats, the impact, the longevity or the volume to elbow their way into our main list.”
50, Cardi and Doja are among the names Billboard considers ‘honorable mentions,’ which they released in a separate list on August 14.
Doja Cat’s absence on the main list was explained as: “The recency hurts, of course, as does the fact that as many brilliant moments as she’s strung together over the years, she doesn’t quite have the pull to stop the world with a release – evidenced by the fact that she’s yet to score a Billboard 200 No. 1 album.”