Why Doja Cat's Controversial New Song Balut Sparked Outrage Among Filipino Listeners

American rapper Doja Cat has faced backlash from Filipino listeners in the Philippines for titling her latest single with the name of a Filipino street food dish.

Doja Cat's track, "Balut," released on September 15, was named after the well-known dish. However, her explanation for choosing this title has baffled many Filipino listeners.

In an Instagram Story on Sunday, she explained that she named the song Balut as it symbolizes a bird being consumed while still alive. She further elaborated that the song serves as a metaphor for Twitter stans (obsessive fans) and the eradication of toxic behaviors on the platform. It represents the dawn of a new era and the demise of harmful tweets.

But the metaphor failed to impress many Filipino commentators, who were quick to point out that the dish actually consists of boiling or steaming a fertilized duck egg that is between 14 and 21 days old, rather than using a live bird.

Balut is an 14-21-day-old fertilized duck egg dish, often served with rock salt as a seasoning.

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Some even saw her explanation as culturally offensive.

"Eaten alive? Who eats balut alive? Girl, you dont need to shame my culture if you dont understand it," said a user on X.

A tweet correcting the description of balut, received close to 100,000 likes and numerous supportive comments in Tagalog and English. It featured a crying emoji and stated, "Just to clarify, a balut is an egg fertilized by a duck." CNN has contacted RCA Records, Doja Cat's record label.

Balut is a dish that tends to stir up mixed opinions. It is frequently showcased on travel and food shows, especially outside of Southeast Asia, where it is often portrayed as an exotic or peculiar food that challenges the tastes of Westerners.

But such coverage can come across as offensive to people in the Philippines, where it has a status approaching a national delicacy.

Doja Cat attends the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 23, 2023.

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Doja Cat, adorned with paint and 30,000 crystals, made an appearance at Haute Couture Week, showcasing 'Inferno.'

Although Doja Cats' attempt to describe the dish was less than favorable, her Filipino fans may appreciate her response to actually tasting the food.

"Balut was delicious, reminiscent of liver with a small, indulgent serving that is rich in fat. I could taste the vitamins in it, instantly knowing it was beneficial for my health," she shared on Instagram Live, following her explanation of the song title.

"I enjoyed it, although I don't think I had it in the best way possible as it was still warm," she further commented.

The song is among the tracks on Doja Cats fourth studio album "Scarlet" to be released on Friday, September 22.