Doechii

Known for her brash, animated style, Tampa, Florida-born rapper and singer Doechii is equally likely to make aggressive club tracks and introspective narratives. After releasing music independently for several years, her confessional song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” became a viral hit in 2021, leading to performances on the BET Hip Hop Awards and a major-label deal. Her 2022 EP she / her / black bitch included collaborations with SZA and Rico Nasty. “What It Is (Block Boy)” with Kodak Black appeared in 2023 and became her first Billboard Top 40 hit. In 2024, she collaborated with City Girls’ JT on “Alter Ego” and released additional songs like “Nissan Altima” before she offered her multifaceted first mixtape for Top Dawg Entertainment, the Grammy-winning Alligator Bites Never Heal. Jaylah Hickmon was born and raised in Tampa, where she took up dancing and acting, and attended a performing arts high school. She started making music as Iamdoechii in 2015 (later shortening her name to just Doechii), and began releasing songs on SoundCloud in 2016. Her single “Girls” was officially released in 2018, and her debut EP, Coven Music Session, Vol. 1, appeared in 2019, followed by the single “Spookie Coochie.” “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” was released as the first single from Doechii’s 2020 EP Oh the Places You’ll Go. The song became a viral hit in 2021, leading to attention from several record labels. Doechii released her third EP, Bra-Less, and performed at the BET Hip-Hop Awards with Isaiah Rashad, additionally appearing on his song “Wat U Sed.” She also opened for SZA during her 2021 tour. Doechii signed with Capitol Records and Top Dawg Entertainment (making her the imprint’s first female rapper) in 2022. The marijuana ode “Persuasive” was her first single on the labels, and she made a guest appearance on David Guetta and Afrojack’s single “Trampoline,” which also featured Missy Elliott and Bia. The track reached number 26 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Doechii released the aggressive single “Crazy,” which gained attention for its violent, nudity-filled video. Doechii’s she / her / black bitch EP appeared in August and included a remix of “Persuasive” featuring SZA, as well as an appearance by Rico Nasty on first track “Swamp Bitches.” “Stressed” followed in October. Doechii collaborated with Kodak Black on the 2023 single “What It Is (Block Boy),” additionally releasing a solo version. The song reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. Doechii then released “Universal Swamp Anthem,” “Booty Drop,” and “Pacer.” “Alter Ego,” a collaboration with JT of City Girls, appeared in 2024 along with several remixes, including one by Kaytranada. Doechii then released the solo singles “MPH,” “Rocket,” and “Nissan Altima,” the last of which appeared on Alligator Bites Never Heal, which arrived that August and entered the Billboard 200 at number 117. Assisted by production from the likes of Childish Maejor, Camper, and Kal Banx, Doechii laid bare her paradoxical qualities — declarations of dominance, examinations of self-doubt, both the pressures and exploits of her fame brought to light — in vivid style. Alligator Bites Never Heal earned Doechii three nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album and Best New Artist. At the 2025 ceremony, she won Best Rap Album, becoming the third woman to take home that prize. ~ Paul Simpson & Andy Kellman