Agora Hills
{{Distinguish|Agoura Hills}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Agora Hills
| type = single
| artist = Doja Cat
| album = Scarlet
| released = October 3, 2023
| studio = Harbor Studios, Malibu
| genre = {{hlist|R&B|pop|hip-hop|trap}}
| length = 4:25
3:39 (radio edit)
| recorded = 2023
| label = * Kemosabe
| writer = Amala Zandile Dlamini
| composer = {{hlist||Isaac Earl Bynum|Gentuar Memishi|Jean-Baptiste Kouame|Bennett Pepple|Brian Holland|Michael Lovesmith}}
| producer = {{hlist|Earl on the Beat|Gent!|Jean Baptiste|Bangs}}
| prev_title = Paint the Town Red
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title = N.H.I.E.
| next_year = 2024
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|0c66ksfigtU|"Agora Hills"}}|type=single}}
}}
"Agora Hills" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat from her fourth studio album, Scarlet (2023). It was released along with the album on September 22, 2023, through Kemosabe and RCA Records as the second and final single from the album. A R&B-infused slow jam with a trap beat, it finds Doja Cat discussing the ways in which she wants to flaunt her partner, despite the pressures of fame and secrecy. Directed by Hannah Lux Davis, the accompanying music video is 1990s-inspired and sees her traversing an apocalyptic California landscape with her supernatural female friends. The song is named after Agoura Hills, which is a city in California.
The song received widespread acclaim from music critics, who lauded Doja Cat's unique vocal delivery and placed the song on several year-end lists. Commercially, it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Rhythmic Top 40 chart in the US, and was also a top 25 hit in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the Philippines. For promotional purposes, Doja Cat performed the song during the Scarlet Tour, as well as on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge concert series.
Background and release
Doja Cat spent several of her formative years living in an ashram commune founded and led by jazz musician Alice Coltrane in Agoura Hills, a city in the Santa Monica Mountains of California.{{Cite magazine |last=Dickson |first=E. J. |date=December 16, 2021 |title=Doja Cat DGAF If You Read This* |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/doja-cat-planet-her-tour-mooo-dr-luke-say-so-1269896/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113185303/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/doja-cat-planet-her-tour-mooo-dr-luke-say-so-1269896/ |archive-date=January 13, 2022 |access-date=December 16, 2021}} The purposeful misspelling of the title "Agora Hills" refers to the theme of agoraphilia, which is the love of public life, crowds, and activity, as suggested by song's lyrics about public display of affection.{{Cite magazine |last=Schuster |first=Eric |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Scarlet' Is a Rap-Centric Pivot for the Superstar |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/scarlet-doja-cat-album-review/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |magazine=Atwood Magazine |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226124747/https://atwoodmagazine.com/scarlet-doja-cat-album-review/ |url-status=live }} Doja Cat also adopts a Californian "valley girl" accent while rapping an entire verse of the song.{{Cite magazine |last=Denis |first=Kyle |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Scarlet': All 17 Songs Ranked |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/doja-cat-scarlet-songs-ranked-paint-the-town-red/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226113240/https://www.billboard.com/lists/doja-cat-scarlet-songs-ranked-paint-the-town-red/ |url-status=live }} Doja Cat recorded "Agora Hills" during a ten day stint at Harbor Studios in Malibu, California.{{Cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |first2=Matthew |last2=Strauss |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Releases New Album Scarlet: Listen and Read the Full Credits |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/doja-cat-releases-new-album-scarlet-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019034137/https://pitchfork.com/news/doja-cat-releases-new-album-scarlet-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Chelosky |first=Danielle |date=September 7, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Scarlet' Was Written Over The Course Of Two Periods |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-scarlet-written-two-periods-different/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Uproxx |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213090201/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-scarlet-written-two-periods-different/ |url-status=live }} The song was produced by Earl on the Beat, Gent!, Jean Baptiste and Bangs, who all wrote the track alongside Doja Cat. Songwriting credits on the track also go to Brian Holland and Michael Lovesmith, who wrote the sampled "All I Do Is Think of You". Mastering and mixing was handled by studio personnel Mike Bozzi and Neal Pogue, respectively.
She first revealed the song's title in early April 2023, sharing a screenshot of the track as an audio file alongside two other songs to social media.{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Joyce |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Teases New Track Titles From Upcoming Rap Album |url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/4/doja-cat-new-track-titles-rap-album-teaser-tweets |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Hypebeast |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922090955/https://hypebeast.com/2023/4/doja-cat-new-track-titles-rap-album-teaser-tweets |url-status=live }} Later that month, the title appeared again in a photo shared by the rapper of the preliminary tracklist of Scarlet (2023) while under development.{{cite web |last=Chelosky |first=Danielle |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Teases Snippets Of Her New Album And Shares The Possible Tracklist |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-new-album-snippets-tracklist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418155812/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-new-album-snippets-tracklist/ |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |website=Uproxx}} Doja Cat began hinting the song's release after changing the location on her Twitter profile to "agora hills" in May 2023.{{Cite web |title=DOJA CAT |url=https://twitter.com/dojacat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525154010/https://twitter.com/dojacat |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=Twitter |publisher=@DojaCat [verified account]}} On September 3, 2023, she shared a post on Instagram featuring her and the supporting cast at the song's music video shoot.{{Cite web |last=Dlamini |first=Amala |date=September 3, 2023 |title=π |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CwtXD4svwZZ/?img_index=1 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |publisher=@dojacat [verified account] |via=Instagram |archive-date=December 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228001546/https://www.instagram.com/p/CwtXD4svwZZ/?img_index=1 |url-status=live }} Later that month, a snippet of the song was shared on her official website, and the release date was confirmed to be September 22.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Teases New Track "Agora Hills" on Website: Release Date Confirmed! |url=https://foggymedia.in/blog/Doja%20Cat%20Teases%20New%20Track%20%22Agora%20Hills%22%20on%20Website:%20Release%20Date%20Confirmed!/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001015043/https://foggymedia.in/blog/Doja%20Cat%20Teases%20New%20Track%20%22Agora%20Hills%22%20on%20Website:%20Release%20Date%20Confirmed!/ |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Foggy Media}} The song was released in tandem with Scarlet as the second single from the album.{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's 'Scarlet' Has Arrived, Ending a Bizarre Album Rollout |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-scarlet-new-album-stream-1234829210/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028184116/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-scarlet-new-album-stream-1234829210/ |url-status=live }} In the United States, it impacted rhythmic contemporary radio on October 3, and contemporary hit radio on October 27.
Composition and lyrics
{{Listen
| filename = Doja Cat - Agora Hills sample.ogg
| title = "Agora Hills"
| description = The hook of "Agora Hills", which is followed by a spoken-word interlude that segues into the first verse, rapped entirely in a valley girl accent.
| pos = left
}}
"Agora Hills" is a song blending pop,{{Cite magazine |last=Corrine |first=Ambre |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Professes Her Love In Dreamlike Video For 'Agora Hills' |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/videos/doja-cat-single-video-agora-hills-1234793285/ |magazine=Vibe |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005144357/https://www.vibe.com/music/videos/doja-cat-single-video-agora-hills-1234793285/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Steffanee |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's "Agora Hills" & 9 Other New Songs Out This Week |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/soundcheck-09-25-2023-eartheater-vcha |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Nylon |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929085625/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/soundcheck-09-25-2023-eartheater-vcha |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat, Always Underestimated, Has the Last Laugh on the Fiery 'Scarlet': Album Review |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/reviews/doja-cat-scarlet-album-review-1235732474/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Variety |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224195757/https://variety.com/2023/music/reviews/doja-cat-scarlet-album-review-1235732474/ |url-status=live }} R&B{{Cite news |last=Moran |first=Robert |date=September 26, 2023 |title=A heel turn for the ages from pop's reigning provocateur |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/a-heel-turn-for-the-ages-from-pop-s-reigning-provocateur-20230925-p5e7du.html |access-date=December 26, 2023 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122020908/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/a-heel-turn-for-the-ages-from-pop-s-reigning-provocateur-20230925-p5e7du.html |url-status=live }} and hip hop music.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Taila |date=November 2, 2023 |title=5 Ways Doja Cat's Scarlet Tour Flaunts Her Creative Versatility |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/doja-cat-scarlet-tour-opening-night-setlist-san-francisco-chase-center-halloween |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Grammy.com |publisher=The Recording Academy |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226135904/https://www.grammy.com/news/doja-cat-scarlet-tour-opening-night-setlist-san-francisco-chase-center-halloween |url-status=live }} A "seductive" slow jam,{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Here are all of the samples on Doja Cat's Scarlet |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/09/22/doja-cat-scarlet-samples |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=The Fader |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226111735/https://www.thefader.com/2023/09/22/doja-cat-scarlet-samples |url-status=live }} the song is described as dreamy, mellow and atmospheric in nature.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Caroline |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Recruits Her Girl Gang For Dreamy "Agora Hills" Music Video |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/716183-doja-cat-agora-hills-video |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=HotNewHipHop |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226111736/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/716183-doja-cat-agora-hills-video |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Gaca |first=Anna |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Doja Cat: Scarlet |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/doja-cat-scarlet/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226055133/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/doja-cat-scarlet/ |url-status=live }} It is also characterized by a bouncy trap drum beat, spacey synthesizers and Doja Cat's breathy vocals.{{Cite magazine |last=Bowenbank |first=Starr |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat, Zach Bryan, Shakira & More: What's Your Favorite New Music Release of the Week? Vote! |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-zach-bryan-shakira-favorite-new-music-poll-1235419139/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226155900/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-zach-bryan-shakira-favorite-new-music-poll-1235419139/ |url-status=live }} The instrumental of the song samples the introduction to "All I Do Is Think of You", a 1989 single by American R&B group Troop,{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Madison |date=September 22, 2023 |title=5 Takeaways From Doja Cat's New Album, Scarlet |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-doja-cats-new-album-scarlet/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226224757/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/takeaways-from-doja-cats-new-album-scarlet/ |url-status=live }} originally recorded by The Jackson 5 in 1975. During the song's first verse, Doja Cat raps in a "valley girl" accent. The song also features "purposefully cringey" ad-libs, laughter and satiric spoken-word interludes in between the refrain and the chorus.
"Agora Hills" is a love song.{{Cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat: Scarlet review β globe-conquering star comes out swinging at the stans |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/22/doja-cat-scarlet-review-globe-conquering-star-comes-out-swinging-at-the-stans |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109095503/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/22/doja-cat-scarlet-review-globe-conquering-star-comes-out-swinging-at-the-stans |url-status=live }} In the song's lyrics, Doja Cat expresses the ways in which she wants to flaunt her partner and discusses her romantic feelings for this person.{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Lexi |date=October 25, 2023 |title=What's The Meaning Behind Doja Cat's 'Agora Hills?' |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-agora-hills-meaning/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Uproxx |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226111735/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-agora-hills-meaning/ |url-status=live }} Furthermore, she calls for autonomy from the intrusions of fame, and tolls with the idea of publicizing a love she is forced to keep confidential. She fantasizes about public displays of affection (PDA) and performing fellatio on a penis in a bathroom,{{Cite magazine |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=December 7, 2023 |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2023 (Staff Picks): Doja Cat, "Agora Hills" |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-songs-2023/doja-cat-agora-hills/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226113340/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-songs-2023/doja-cat-agora-hills/ |url-status=live }} and mimics the "fun, confusing, slightly messy" initial stages of dating. While based around the topic of sex, the lyrics were noted to be bawdy, lighthearted and ironic.{{Cite news |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Looks to the Past to Make Her Own Moment on 'Scarlet' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/arts/music/doja-cat-scarlet-review.html |access-date=December 26, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216120122/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/arts/music/doja-cat-scarlet-review.html |url-status=live }}
Critical reception
File:Kitty Ray with peace sign 01.jpg
"Agora Hills" was met with widespread critical acclaim from contemporary music critics, who particularly praised her unique vocal delivery. Alex Gonzalez of Uproxx lauded "Agora Hills" as a reminder of Doja Cat's "multifaceted musical talents", praising her "soft-tinged vocals" as well as her "fire rap skills".{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Alex |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Shares Her Dreamy 'Agora Hills' Video |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-agora-hills/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Uproxx |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226111735/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-agora-hills/ |url-status=live }} Kyle Denis of Billboard ranked the song as the third best track on Scarlet, and similarly described Doja Cat as a "master shapeshifter" due to her ability to channel various characters using voices and accents. A number of critics likened her delivery on the track to that of American rapper Kitty Pryde, with several citing her "nervously languid" flow in her song "Okay Cupid" as an example.{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Premature Evaluation: Doja Cat 'Scarlet' |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2236942/doja-cat-scarlet/reviews/premature-evaluation/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Stereogum |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208074139/https://www.stereogum.com/2236942/doja-cat-scarlet/reviews/premature-evaluation/ |url-status=live }}
{{Blockquote|text=[The song] demonstrates that Doja Cat is not always just about being belligerent or being kind of venomous to her haters or conjuring all this occult imagery. But she has a lot of different sides, and the album has a lot of different sides. So "Agora Hills" is a kind of quiet storm song. It's hazy. It's sensual. And it's her singing and rapping. What I love about this song is that it's way more estrogen than it is testosterone. This is what she would call her softy side. It's her singing about love, about romance.|author=Jason King|title=All Things Considered.{{Cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Mary Louise |last2=King |first2=Jason |date=September 29, 2023 |title=On 'Scarlet,' Doja Cat finds power harnessing the darkness of online vitriol |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1202431154?ft=nprml&f=10005 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |publisher=All Things Considered |via=NPR |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226173742/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1202431154?ft=nprml&f=10005 |url-status=live }}}}
= Year-end lists =
Music video
Co-directed by American filmmaker Hannah Lux Davis and Doja Cat herself, the official music video was released in tandem with the song and the album. The video opens with Doja Cat washing her body of the blood worn by her Scarlet alter ego in previous music videos,{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Mary Kate |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat releases album, "Agora Hills" music video |url=https://www.avclub.com/doja-cat-releases-album-agora-hills-music-video-1850864604 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=The A.V. Club |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003113610/https://www.avclub.com/doja-cat-releases-album-agora-hills-music-video-1850864604 |url-status=live }} before cutting to a scene of her levitating in the aftermath of an apocalyptic disaster. The following scene is more serene, and sees her talking to her lover via telephone in a pastel-coloured bedroom resembling that of a teenage girl.{{Cite web |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Let Scarlet Loose |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/09/doja-cat-scarlet-album-agora-hills-video.html |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Vulture |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226111735/https://www.vulture.com/2023/09/doja-cat-scarlet-album-agora-hills-video.html |url-status=live }} She wears a number of outfits and is also seen in a dystopian mall setting as well as sat atop a sign that reads "Agora Hills".{{Cite web |last=Mendelsohn |first=Jon |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat's "Agora Hills" Music Video Is a Cinematic Hellscape |url=https://americansongwriter.com/doja-cats-angora-hills-music-video-is-a-cinematic-hellscape/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=American Songwriter |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226111904/https://americansongwriter.com/doja-cats-angora-hills-music-video-is-a-cinematic-hellscape/ |url-status=live }} In several of the scenes, Doja Cat is seen amongst a group of other female characters played by micro-celebrities such as Aliyah's Interlude, Mette Narrative, Niohuru X, and Lil Mariko.{{Cite web |last=Victoria |first=Kenyatta |date=September 29, 2023 |title=Aliyahsinterlude Is Entering Her Pop Star Era With Debut Single 'IT GIRL' |url=https://girlsunited.essence.com/article/aliyahsinterlude-debut-single-it-girl/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Girls United |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106223115/https://girlsunited.essence.com/article/aliyahsinterlude-debut-single-it-girl/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c66ksfigtU |title=Doja Cat - Agora Hills (Official Video) |date=September 22, 2023 |last=Lux Davis |first=Hannah |type=Videotape |author-link=Hannah Lux Davis |access-date=December 27, 2023 |quote=It Girl Posse: Mette @mettenarrative // Vampire Chinese (Nio) @vampirechinese // Katrina Motes @katrinamotes // Kat Marikoz @katmarikoz //Kunt Fetish @kuntfetish // Guvmanian (Lee) @guvmanian // Princess Gollum (Josephine) @princessgollum // Aliyahβs Interlude @aliyahsinterlude |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226160258/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c66ksfigtU |url-status=live }}
The video features cinematography from Kate Arizmendi and visual effects from the Frender collective.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2023 |title=Behind the Scenes of 'Agora Hills': Unveiling the Visual Magic of Doja Cat's Music Video |url=https://frender.com/blog/behind-the-scenes-of-agora-hills-unveiling-the-visual-magic-of-doja-cats-music-video/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Frender |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226200851/https://frender.com/blog/behind-the-scenes-of-agora-hills-unveiling-the-visual-magic-of-doja-cats-music-video/ |url-status=live }} Together they utilised retro visuals and digital distortion techniques to purposefully introduce an element of degradation to certain shots. The video also makes use of fuzzy found footage as a film technique, and is characterized by its 1990s aesthetics. The visual effects team helped create the effect of Doja Cat levitating, in addition to designing an upside down world in the sky during the apocalyptic scenes. Davis described the video as "disconcertingly hot; shot in a liminal space and featuring a variety of versions of Doja herself embodying her different styles and personalities." The music video amassed over one million views on its first day of release. Critics noted that while the video was able to maintain some of the "horror" imagery depicted in the other Scarlet music videos, it was significantly more dreamy, "pink and soft" in nature, and that it perhaps resembled a new, less dark version of Doja Cat.
Commercial performance
On the chart dated October 7, 2023, "Agora Hills" debuted at number 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with 14.9 million streams and 1,300 digital downloads, becoming her thirteenth top 20 hit in the country.{{Cite magazine |title=Billboard Hot 100β’: Week of October 7, 2023 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2023-10-07/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106231641/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2023-10-07/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Rashad |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Hot 100: Doja Cat Climbs to 13th Top 20 Hit with 'Agora Hills' |url=https://thatgrapejuice.net/2023/10/hot-100-doja-cat-climbs-to-13th-top-20-hit-with-agora-hills/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=That Grape Juice |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013035707/https://thatgrapejuice.net/2023/10/hot-100-doja-cat-climbs-to-13th-top-20-hit-with-agora-hills/ |url-status=live }} It rose to number 10 on the chart dated January 13, 2024, becoming her ninth top 10 hit in the country,{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Jack Harlow's 'Lovin on Me' Returns to No. 1 on Hot 100, Doja Cat's 'Agora Hills' Hits Top 10 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/jack-harlow-lovin-on-me-number-one-hot-100-second-week-1235577809/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108184511/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/jack-harlow-lovin-on-me-number-one-hot-100-second-week-1235577809/ |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |access-date=January 8, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} before reaching its peak of seven approximately two weeks later.{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=2024-01-29 |title=Jack Harlow Scores Career-Best Fourth Week Atop Billboard Hot 100 With 'Lovin on Me' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/jack-harlow-lovin-on-me-hot-100-number-one-four-weeks-1235591375/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} It also was her eighth song to top the Pop airplay chart and her eleventh song to top Billboard
Elsewhere, the song was a commercial success in Asia and Oceania, becoming a top 10 hit in Malaysia, India, Lebanon, Singapore, and the Philippines. It earned platinum certification status in Australia (by the Australian Recording Industry Association), and New Zealand (by Recorded Music NZ), where it peaked at number four on the NZ Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2023-12-01|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=December 4, 2023|access-date=December 1, 2023|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202042315/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5719|url-status=live}}
Live performances
Doja Cat first performed "Agora Hills" among two other songs for the Live Lounge series by BBC Radio 1 in late October 2023.{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=October 26, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Paints the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Red With Her Performance |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-bbc-radio-live-lounge-performance-1235454952/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224160232/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-paint-the-town-red-bbc-radio-live-lounge-performance-1235454952/ |url-status=live }} The song was included as the fifth track in the setlist of Doja Cat's The Scarlet Tour in North America in late 2023.{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Alex |date=November 1, 2023 |title=Here Is Doja Cat's 'Scarlet Tour' Setlist |url=https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-scarlet-tour-setlist/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=Uproxx |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226140359/https://uproxx.com/music/doja-cat-scarlet-tour-setlist/ |url-status=live }}
Awards and nominations
Charts
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=Weekly charts=
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Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Agora Hills"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=March 10, 2024|refname=AUScert}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|artist=Doja Cat|title=Agora Hills|access-date=May 20, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Doja Cat|title=Agora Hills|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=September 4, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Doja Cat|title=Agora Hills|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|access-date=January 19, 2025|source=radioscope|refname=NZcert}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Doja Cat|title=Agora Hills|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=August 28, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Doja Cat|title=Agora Hills|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|id=19716-5208-1|access-date=June 20, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Doja Cat|title=Agora Hills|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=October 18, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Agora Hills" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| October 3, 2023 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | RCA | style="text-align:center;"| {{cite web|url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D337829|title=A Recap of Radio Adds Recaps|work=Hits|date=October 3, 2023|access-date=November 19, 2023|archive-date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119222227/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D337829|url-status=live}} |
|---|
| October 27, 2023
| {{hlist|Kemosabe|RCA}} | style="text-align:center;"| {{cite web|url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/pop_mart&id=338189&title=HOT-NEW-RELEASES|title=Hot New Releases|website=Hits|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=May 6, 2024}} |