"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. The official music video for the song was released on June 2, 2022. 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.
Composition The song's lyrics refer to a man who was an "underwhelming lover" whom Doja Cat feels "never deserved her attention". 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.
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reception Writing for Consequence, Carys Anderson felt that Doja Cat "lives up to the challenge" of Luhrmann "pairing historical content with modern music", calling it "Ain't Shit" meets "Hound Dog". Wongo Okon of Uproxx remarked that Doja "raps with a vengeance".
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.
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.
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 + Chart (2022–2023) Peakposition Greece International (IFPI) 22 Iceland (Tónlistinn) 18 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan) 8 Lithuania (AGATA) 15 Netherlands (Single Tip) 19 Romania (UPFR) 10 Turkey (Radiomonitor Türkiye) 9
Year-end charts + Chart (2022) Position Australia (ARIA) 33 Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 38 Global 200 (Billboard) 128 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 32 US Billboard Hot 100 47 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) 7 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 22 US Rhythmic (Billboard) 44 Chart (2023) Position US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) 15 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 31 US Radio Songs (Billboard) 64
Certifications
Release history + Release history and formats for "Vegas" Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Various May 6, 2022 Italy May 13, 2022 Radio airplay Sony United States July 12, 2022 Contemporary hit radio August 16, 2022 Rhythmic contemporary
References