However, the song wasn't without its controversies. In 2022, following the release of Netflix's "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," the song faced a public backlash for Juicy J's lyric, "She eats your heart out like Jeffrey Dahmer," which many critics and fans found tone-deaf and disrespectful given the serial killer's horrific crimes. Separately, the song was also at the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Christian rapper Flame, who claimed "Dark Horse" copied his 2008 song "Joyful Noise".
To give the track its signature urban edge, Perry reached out to rapper dark horse katy perry ft douth dj jepzkie work
A dive into DJ Jepzkie's portfolio reveals a tendency to work with: However, the song wasn't without its controversies
The confusion surrounding the track’s collaboration with "DJ Dajae Jepzkie Work" likely stems from misheard lyrics or a conflation of Polish DJ Dajae Jepzkie, known for his electronic music work, with the track’s producers. While no official ties exist, the error underscores how fans sometimes blend artistic influences, especially when a song’s genre-defying nature invites such assumptions. Regardless, Dark Horse stands as a testament to pop’s ability to absorb and repackage diverse musical elements. To give the track its signature urban edge,
The DJ Jepzkie Work production completely flips the moody, slow-burning tension of Perry’s original pop-trap arrangement. It accelerates the tempo, replacing the sparse urban beats with high-bpm electronic percussion, rapid-fire snare rolls, and aggressive synth stabs. This style draws heavily from Budots—a homegrown electronic dance music genre originating from Davao City, Philippines. Budots is characterized by its raw, loop-driven, and repetitive electronic beats, often accompanied by distinct whistle sound effects, hyperactive basslines, and a distinct lack of traditional song structure. By overlaying the recognizable vocals of Katy Perry onto this fast-paced, rhythmic framework, the remix creates a jarring yet highly addictive juxtaposition. The dark, ominous warnings of the lyrics transform into high-energy club fodder.
Tracks engineered by DJ Jepzkie typically include long intro and outro drum sequences. These segments allow club DJs to seamlessly blend the track into live sets without disrupting the energy of the dance floor. Why Underground Pop-Rap Mashups Go Viral