"Doja is in a league of her own" — Fans defend Doja Cat as Joe Budden claims Latto is a better rapper than her

Podcaster Joe Budden's recent comments claiming that Latto (a.k.a. Alyssa Michelle Stephens) is a better rapper than Doja Cat have sparked backlash, with internet users coming to the latter's defense. On the August 11, 2024, episode of his namesake podcast, Budden and co-hosts discussed the Atlanta rapper's latest offering, Sugar Honey Iced Tea.

While praising the album, co-host Emanny Salgado asked Budden where he would rank solely based on her rapping skills among other female hip-hop artists. Joe promptly replied, Top three. When Salgado asked him to further clarify, he stated:

"I might have to have her (at) number two. Nicki is number one for me. I think Latto would give Doja a long night... She can’t rap like that."

He continued:

"She may be a bigger artist and a more well-rounded artist but if I'm just talking about rapping, yeah Doja could pack it up if Latto walk in the studio with her notebook."

Joe's comments caused quite a stir online, with fans asserting Doja Cat is the better rapper. One stated:

A comment reacting to the news (Image via Instagram/@theneighborhoodtalk)

Many stated that Stephens is good, but Doja Cat is a more versatile rapper and boasts better tones, voice, and delivery. Here are some comments seen under @theneighbordoodtalk's post on X:

A comment reacting to the news (Image via Instagram/@theneighbordoodtalk)

Others continued to defend the Say So singer, stating that she was better. Here are some comments seen on X:

"Doja cat would rap circles around Latto in her sleep. Doja's only completion Rapping is nicki and dudes," one fan wrote.

"Doechii & Doja (albeit more pop now) are the only two names I acknowledge in women's contemporary rap," @CountOn Us_Man asserted.

"I disagree on that...yall need to stop sleeping on Doja...because her and Nikki are the two top best female artists...trust me on that," another commented.

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Latto released her third album Sugar Honey Iced Tea on August 9, 2024

Others on the podcast, including Salgado, agreed that Nikki Minaj, Doja Cat, and Latto should be the top three artists, but they disagreed on Budden's ranking. Co-host Lamar "Ice" Burney stated he ranked Latto at No. 3. Joe Budden added that he liked Cardi B but didn't rank her due to ghostwriting rumors. He added:

"Latto has confirmed that to be her pen. She really loves hip-hop, like she’s one of those girls."

Budden had previously interviewed Stephens on his podcast in 2022. At the time, the rapper claimed her label asked her to keep mum on her criticism of the business side of the industry and hate thrown her way, accusing her of clout-chasing. She told the podcaster:

"It's the business stuff that just like... it's frustrating you because you can't speak on certain stuff. They tell you to shut the f*ck up but it's like this is what I'm going through. B*tch, I don't want to shut the f*ck up."

The Atlanta rapper rose to fame with her single B*tch from da Souf (2019), which peaked at No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the RIAA. She dropped her debut studio album, Queen of da Souf (2020), which was met with critical acclaim. It peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard 200.

She followed up with her second project, 777 (2022), which charted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and No. 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums list. Her work on the album earned her a pair of Grammy nominations. Sugar Honey Iced Tea is Latto's third studio album and was preceded by the singles Put It on da Floor, Sunday Service, and Big Mama.

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As of now, neither Doja Cat nor Alyssa has publicly reacted to Joe Budden's comments.