doechii
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Quite often some of the most serious conversations are presented on social media through viral clips and tweets. Still, in most cases, online responses rarely receive the benefit of the care and nuance needed to be transformative.
In the case of the most recent viral clip from rap phenom and Billboard Woman of the Year, Doechii, this couldn’t be closer to the truth. Her most recent soundbite, in which she shared with DJ Miss Milan that her top “red flag” was “heterosexual men,” generated quite the buzz from rap critics and fans alike who saw her honest quip as confirmation of her hatred for mankind.
https://x.com/Glock_Topickz/status/1898100042839314548
Admittedly, my knee-jerk response was to feel the same way. For many male rap fans who champion the music of what the genre would deem as lyrical music, we saw her comments as hurtful and divisive, a reflection of a growing multitude of society that views heteronormative mannerisms as oppressive. But after some reflection, I had to begrudgingly concede that feelings aside, the sentiment of her words were true. For many Black women who’ve been caught in the crosshairs of the misogyny of rap and popular media, queer people and, in particular, queer Black women, were often fodder for the endless flame of insults and criticism churned out.
Just last month, Doechii, who identifies as bisexual, shared her experience as a middle school student with bullying, a commonality that other Black women and Black people in the LGTQBIA community have spoken about at length, which ties back into the central theme that Black men deserve rightful skepticism for their intentional and sometimes unintentional reinforcement of oppressive conditions.
An article titled, The Status of Black Women in the United States from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research shows that “more than 4 out of 10 Black women suffer violence at the hand of an intimate partner in their lives” while also sharing that they tend to suffer psychological abuse at a higher rate than women from other racial groups. Most of the violence that affects women comes at the hands of men, often stemming from archaic ideas about what a woman should do and be. Add to that the historic elements of racism and in the case of many darker-skinned women like Doechii—colorism—and you have a culture that openly celebrates otherizing people. With all of the violent ideas and actions Black women encounter in a lifetime then, it makes perfect sense for Doechii to feel that way.
It may sting to hear, but somewhere deep inside it reminds us that we have the power to positively affect people and shape their perceptions for better or worse. Instead of condemning her for her opinion, we should choose to focus on her work and the importance of the moment she’s in. She made history just this year when she became the third woman to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album and has not stopped breaking ground in areas where her creativity and innovation can be fully celebrated.
So for others who may have felt as I did when I heard her comments, I would implore you to do what I had to, which is appreciate her thoughts for what they were and continue the work of making a safer world for other Black people who are also geniuses.
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Doechii is really coming up in the world these days as she’s already a Grammy Award winner and well on her way to household name recognition, but nothing says “I made it” like a co-sign from one of the biggest music icons from the previous generation, Lauryn Hill.
Over the weekend the “Ex-Factor” singer was performing at the Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) music festival when she surprised fans during her set by bringing out Doechii to help her perform a rendition of her classic ’90s hit, “Doo Wop (That Thing).” Rapping Lauryn Hill’s verses while Ms. Hill performed the background vocals, Doechii was obviously motivated to show out during the set, as she knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to share the stage with a music legend that rarely pops out, and on the rare occasions when she does, she’s usually hours late (no shots).
Taking to X to express her gratitude over the moment, Doechii thanked the multi-platinum-selling artist and wrote, “Thank you Miss Lauryn Hill. Thank you. My heart is so full. She is my hero. This is the greatest honor hip hop could give me. Praise God 🤎 … my entire body is vibrating with joy right now. I’ll never forget this day! EVER!”
Still on cloud nine from the moment, Doechii tweeted another post in which she said, “I never been so nervous in my life 😭 she is a QUEEN.”
You gotta love it.
Whether or not this will lead to a collaboration between the two women at some point is anyone’s guess (we hope it does), but for now we’re just glad to see these two marvels sharing the same space for the culture.
What do y’all think about Lauryn Hill and Doechii linking up in concert? Would y’all want to hear a cut featuring these two artists? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Doechii’s preferences regarding dating are no secret, but that didn’t stop straight men from blowing a gasket on social media over the weekend.
During an episode of Hot Ones Versus featuring DJ Miss Milan, the “What It Is” crafter revealed that her biggest red flag was heterosexual men when asked what some of her dealbreakers were.
“Is it being on the DL?” Milan first asked. The rapper also touched on this situation in her latest album, Denial Is A River. Doecii responded “You’re on the right track,” urging her DJ to take another guess, leading to her saying “Bad music taste?” which the rapper admitted “That is a good one, but that’s not what I put.”
She finally flipped over her board, revealing her answer as “A straight man.”
“You know what’s so crazy? I was going to say men,” Milan said as the two laughed.
https://x.com/Glock_Topickz/status/1898100042839314548
For many, Doechii’s joke isn’t shocking because she has been quite open about her bisexuality. On the song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake,” the Swamp Princess rapped, “I think I like girls, but I think I like men/ Doechii is a d**k, I never fit in.”
Still that didn’t stop straight men from losing their collective sh*t over the rapper’s personal preference.
“And this is where my Doechii train stops at. Good luck out there,” one person wrote in response to a Glock Topickz post sharing the now viral clip.
Another hater used the moment to talk about Doechii’s looks, “That her preference & that’s cool. But can I finally say this bitch is ugly as HELL without getting backlash for it???”
Though they are wrong, because Doechii is far from ugly, allow us to present some evidence.
But with all the bellyaching from sensitive straight men and “pick me’s” there are plenty of people defending Doechii as well.
“They could NEVER make me hate you Doechii. How is straight women not wanting to date queer men okay for y’all but queer women not wanting to date straight men isn’t? Let’s unpack that rq. Yall mad about nothing,” one user on X, formerly Twitter wrote.
Another Doechii defender added, “If you’ve ever been with an openly bi sexual / pan sexual man you know EXACTLY why a straight man is a red flag for a QUEER woman. From the spaces she hangs to the community she builds.”
Basically, folks are losing their minds over absolutely nothing.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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After five long years, Doechii has finally blessed us with ‘Anxiety,’ and the streets are eating it up.
This one’s been a long time coming, and if you’ve been rocking with her since the early days, you already know the backstory. Way back, Doechii put out a fire cover of Gotye & Kimbra’s classic hit ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ on YouTube. She flipped it in her own way, lacing it with emotion and raw energy, and the internet went crazy. But despite the buzz, she never put it on streaming platforms—so unless you had that YouTube link saved, you were out of luck.
Then a few years later, Sleepy Hallow stumbled across her version, sampled it, and turned it into his own track, ‘Anxiety.’ That joint went up, and suddenly, everybody thought Doechii’s version was out there too. At this time, the OG song never officially dropped.
Now, five years later, the Swamp Princess finally came through. And let’s be real, she didn’t disappoint. ‘Anxiety’ still hits just as hard, with those haunting melodies and the signature Doechii vibe that makes her one of the most unique voices in the game. For the day-one fans, this release is everything we’ve been waiting for. And for the new ones? Welcome to the wave—Doechii season is in full effect.
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Super Bowl LIX was not only about the game, but also about the star power that filled the stands with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Celebrities like Jay-Z, Summer Walker, Ice Spice, Doechii, and many more made their mark at the event, bringing their drip and undeniable presence to the spotlight. As the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed with a commanding 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the energy wasn’t just coming from the field. The celebrity crowd added to the electric atmosphere, offering their support and soaking in the excitement of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Rappers Glorilla and Megan Thee Stallion were among the notable attendees, but their presence came with a bit of drama (well, atleast for Glo). The two had made a high-stakes bet on the game, with Big Glo putting down $128,000 on the Chiefs, while Megan backed the Eagles. Unfortunately for Glorilla, her bet didn’t pay off, and she left the stadium upset after the Eagles’ victory, making it a memorable moment off the field.
Beyond the excitement of the game, the event showcased the fusion of sports, music, and fashion. some of our favorite artists brought out all their signature styles, further solidifying the Super Bowl as a gathering not just for football fans but for those with a passion for entertainment and pop culture. Super Bowl LIX wasn’t just about the Eagles’ victory—it was a night where the worlds of music, fashion, and celebrity collided, leaving fans with unforgettable memories both on and off the field.
Doechii isn’t wasting any time celebrating her big night at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
Fresh off winning Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal, the Tampa rapper surprised fans with a brand-new single, “Nosebleeds,” just hours after her emotional victory.
The track, released via Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records, was written and recorded specifically for the occasion with producer Jonas Jeberg. Executive produced by Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith and Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith, “Nosebleeds” finds Doechii at her sharpest—balancing confidence, humor, and raw storytelling as she addresses her rise, her doubters, and the whirlwind of speculation surrounding her Grammy nominations.
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Her Best Rap Album win made history, as Doechii became only the third female artist to take home the award since its introduction in 1989.
In her acceptance speech, she reflected on the significance of the moment. “This category was introduced in 1989, and two women have won,” she started, before correcting herself: “three women have won — Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”
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She then took the opportunity to introduce herself to a wider audience and shine a light on her city’s talent. “There’s so many people out there who probably don’t know who I am. I call myself the Swamp Princess because I’m from Tampa, Florida. Tampa has so much talent… labels, go to Tampa.”
She ended her speech by shouting out the kids watching who might see themselves in her: “I know there is some Black girl out there [watching] and I want to tell you that you can do it. Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes onto you… you are exactly who you need to be to where you are, and I am a testimony [to that].”
In addition to her Best Rap Album win, Doechii was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance for “Nissan Altima.”
Her 2024 mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, earned critical acclaim, and the project was supported by a sold-out tour across the U.S., Europe, and the U.K., along with high-profile performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.
Stream “Nosebleeds” below.
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And the winner is…Doechii. On Saturday, February 2, the MC sensation out of Tampa won Best Rap Album for her proper debut, Alligator Bites Never Heal, at the 2025 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Doechii accepted her award by noting that two women before had won in the category, Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. It was the latter who present her with the award.
From the stage, she dedicated the win to her sobriety and “God told me he would reward me and show me just how good it can get.”
The “Denial Is A River” rapper also thanked TDE and her mother, show she brought up on stage and made sure to big up her Tampa roots.
Doechii won in a hyper-competitive field that included projects from J. Cole, Eminem, Common & Pete Rock and Future & Metro Boomin.
Hip-Hop is in great hands with Doechii.
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The music industry’s biggest night is shaping to be something special. Doechii has been confirmed to perform at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
As spotted on Rap-Up, the Recording Academy made their first round of announcements of musicians who will perform at the upcoming ceremony. Set to hit the stage are Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, and Teddy Swims. All the aforementioned musicians are currently nominated for awards.
Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal is up for the Best Rap Album and her song “NISSAN ALTIMA” is competing for Best Rap Performance. She also has the chance to take home the honor of Best New Artist. 2024 marked her breakthrough year with the success of her mixtape. Doechii’s 19-track effort was her first-ever project on Top Dawg Entertainment and featured several breakout singles including “Boom Bap,” and “Denial Is a River.”
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will not only honor the very best in music but will also raise funds to help those who were impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. “The upcoming Grammy Awards won’t just be about celebrating and honoring the best in music this year, it will also show how the power of music can help rebuild, uplift and support those in need,” said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “We are thrilled that so many artists in our community are banding together at this time to show support for their fellow music makers and others impacted by the recent wildfires.”
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will air Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS Television Network.
First-time Coachella performer Doechii caught up with Billboard News’ Tetris Kelly to discuss her historic set, a possible “mini tour” this year spanning major cities, collabing with SZA, and her upcoming album. The Tampa, Fla.-born artist is the first female rapper on the TDE roster and views the role as “a huge responsibility.”
“I know that after me, there’s going to be more female rappers that are a part of TDE,” she says. “I want to make sure that I do everything, so that the next girl feels comfortable doing everything.”
Doechii, who joins SZA on the TDE roster, was honored alongside the “Kill Bill” singer at Billboard‘s 2023 Women In Music event. “She actually gave me a shout-out that night,” Doechii recalls. “To even be peers with her, to be getting honored along with artists as big as SZA is amazing.”
Propelled into music by her mother at a young age, Doechii is trained in ballet, tap dance, jazz, contemporary dance and gymnastics, which explains the rapper’s vibrant stage presence and involvement in the creative direction of her visuals and performances.
“I’ve just always been creative and my mom gave me the freedom to be an artist ever since I was young,” she tells Billboard.
In March, Doechii released her single “What It Is (Block Boy),” sampling “Some Cut” and TLC’s “No Scrubs.” Initially released with a feature from Kodak Black, a solo version without the “Super Gremlin” rapper was released after fan backlash. The solo version is trending and has been used in more than 40,000 TikTok videos.
“When [producer J White Did It] played it for me, I was like, ‘This is the summer bop, this is exactly what I’m looking for,’” she explains. “I wanted a fun song, I wanted a hit. And that’s what we got.”
When it comes to her upcoming album, Doechii is leaning into a “genre-bending” style, specifying, “a little bit of alternative hip-hop, rock, pop, rap, it’s a lot.”
In a fun game of “What’s Floating Inside?” Tampa rapper, Doechii’s skills and knowledge are put to the test to answer as many random questions about fashion, music and all in between in under :60 seconds. Watch it here, brought to you by Billboard and Honda.