Singer-songwriter and rapper Doechii’s rise has been as steady as her flow.
The Tampa, Florida native has long been a star to watch, from her 2019 compilation Coven Music Session, Vol. 1 to her 2023 hit single What It Is (Block Boy).
But it was the 26-year-old’s critically acclaimed 2024 mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. It was a lyrical exhibition that was equal parts contemporary R&B (“Slide”) and introspective “real hip-hop” (a metaphor Doechii enjoys). “Boom Bap”) and boastful raps (“Nissan Altima”, “Catfish”) – which earned Doechii her first rights to Best Rap Album and Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards It was nominated in three categories, including
Along with Benson Boone, Khruangbin, RAYE and Teddy Swims, Doechii faces stiff competition from the likes of meteoric powerhouse Chapel Lawn, diminutive “Espresso” hitmaker Sabrina Carpenter and “Bar Song” breakout Shaboozy. facing. But the rapper and singer has some impressive co-signs.
Former Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate Kendrick Lamar gave her props on the release of her latest album, calling her “the most difficult person.” In 2023, she opened for both Beyoncé on the record-breaking Renaissance World Tour and Doja Cat on the Scarlet Tour.
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The former named Doechii (and Memphis MC GloRilla) as one of his favorite rappers right now, while the latter said of Doechii’s position in the music industry, “We need you.”
Not to mention her standout feature on Katy Perry’s “I’m His, He’s Mine” (she debuted the song in a racy performance at the VMAs) and her passionate performance on Tyler, the Creator’s “Balloons.” It boasts a high verse.
The self-proclaimed “Princess of the Swamp” also performed in a series of viral live performances in late 2024. At Tyler’s Camp Frog Gnaw, NPR’s Tiny Desk performed her song “Denial Is a River” and an interpretation of her song (and choreographed by herself). “Boiled Peanuts” on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” turned casual fans into believers.
Learn more about the rap star ahead of the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Why is her name Doechi?
Doechii, born Jayla Hickmon, created an alter ego in her diary after being bullied at the age of 11. “‘It’s Doechii.’ That literally just came to me,” she told Vulture in 2022.
This persona gave her confidence that fans could still listen to her music.
“Jayla may have been bullied, but Doech didn’t think she could handle that (expletive),” she continued. “My attitude was completely different, and it stuck.”
How was Doechii discovered? What is Doechii’s famous song?
After the release of “Coven Music” and 2020’s “Oh The Places You’ll Go,” Doechii achieved viral fame on TikTok in 2021 with the viral track “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake.” The attention from this record led to her signing with TDE. There she released the singles “What It Is (Block Boy)” and “Persuasive” (with a SZA remix), as well as her first single. Major label EP “She / Her / Black b—-)”.
Since then, social media buzz has continued to highlight the rap singer as someone to watch, culminating in the release of the full-throttle single “Nissan Altima” from “Alligator Bites.” This mixtape was her first project to chart on the Billboard 200 and is one of the few mixtapes to be nominated for a Grammy Award.
The video for her melodramatic “Alligator Bites” track “Denial is a River” features the rapper talking about her therapist alter ego, her secret boyfriend affair, and other personal struggles while in the spotlight. This is something that goes back and forth. It parodies the classic sitcom of the 1990s, features cameos from Zack Fox and labelmates SiR and ScHoolboy Q, and is just as popular.
