Doechii is the rising trailblazer shaking up rap’s future. But how did she establish herself as a part of the canon of contemporary rap?
Rap music thrives on innovation, self-expression, and pushing cultural boundaries. Doechii embodies this. An electric presence who has carved her own lane in hip-hop with a distinct voice, unapologetic style and clever creative direction. Whether you’ve been following her from the start or are just discovered her with her Grammy win, one thing is clear: Doechii is on the fast track to becoming one of rap’s most influential voices.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Doechii’s rise, from her humble beginnings to becoming a member of the revered Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) roster, her breakout moments, and her game-changing 2024 mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, which has set the stage for her ascension to rap stardom.
Who Is Doechii?
Born Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon in Tampa, Florida, Doechii was drawn to creativity and self-expression from a young age. Music quickly became her outlet. Surrounded by a mix of sounds—rap, R&B, pop, and alternative—she soaked in inspiration from many genres. This eclectic taste would later become a hallmark of her music.
Her family recognized her natural talent and encouraged her love for performing. She started dancing as a child and soon developed a passion for theater and poetry. These interests sharpened her ability to write vivid lyrics and deliver captivating performances. During high school, she began recording her own music, using any resources she could find to release her early tracks on SoundCloud and YouTube.
Doechii’s entry into music and early career
Before becoming Doechii, Jaylah Hickmon was experimenting with her artistic identity. Her early music blended trap beats, alternative sounds, and hints of pop, creating a style all her own. During this time, she sharpened her skills by releasing independent tracks on SoundCloud, where she stood out for her ability to combine catchy hooks with sharp, clever lyrics. As far back as 2015, she started sharing content to her YouTube channel, building up a fanbase who followed her journey along. Her content was distinctive for her refreshing transparency, creativity and authentic ‘quirky’ personality.
In 2019, she shared her first project, Coven Music Session, Vol. 1. But her breakthrough came in 2020 with the release of Yucky Blucky Fruitcake on Oh The Places You’ll Go. The track introduced more fans to her eccentric style, confident lyricism and a visually striking music video.
As her audience grew on SoundCloud and YouTube, so did her reputation in underground music circles. What made Doechii unique was her ability to balance fun and depth. Her music was playful and energetic, yet layered with deeper themes like self-discovery, gender, race, and mental health. This mix of style and substance made her a rising force in hip-hop, drawing attention from fans and industry insiders alike.
Doechii’s Signing by TDE and Early Hits
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is the label home to some of this generation’s most influential artists from Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Schoolboy Q and Isaiah Rashad. In 2021, Doechii joined their ranks. Her signing was seen as a bold move by the label, signalling their continued commitment to fresh, innovative talent. She joined the label as their first female rapper signing.
Doechii quickly proved she belonged at TDE. Her first singles after signing, showcased Doechii’s pop influences with songs like What It Is, Crazy and Persuasive, growing her reputation for melodic hits that blend rap, R&B and pop. What It Is was a viral hit, blowing up across social media and peaking at number 63 on the US official singles chart.
Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal Mixtape
On August 30, 2024, Doechii released the mixtape that changed her career’s trajectory, Alligator Bites Never Heal. Remarkably, Doechii recorded the entire mixtape in just one month, an impressive feat for what became one of 2024’s most acclaimed rap releases. Alligator Bites Never Heal quickly pushed her to the forefront of conversations about rap’s future. On tracks like BOOM BAP, she playfully but clearly signals the mixtape’s purpose: to silence any claims that she’s just a ‘TikTok artist’ and firmly establish herself in the canon of contemporary rap.
Staying true to her versatile style, the mixtape blends traditional hip-hop, trap, alt-pop, R&B, and even jazz, making it a dynamic listen that defies simple categorization. Themes of identity, self-love, and empowerment run through the project. But Doechii also explores deeper topics like mental health struggles and the challenges of being a dark-skinned black woman navigating the music industry. Still, the mixtape feels fun and engaging, thanks to her witty, playful, yet hard-hitting lyricism. One standout track, DENIAL IS A RIVER, features Doechii playing out a therapy session.
In interviews, she shared that the mixtape’s title, Alligator Bites Never Heal, was inspired by her upbringing in Florida, where alligators are common. For Doechii, the alligator bite represents emotional, mental, and physical wounds that leave permanent scars.
Spanning 19 tracks over 47 minutes, the mixtape is dynamic and packed with standouts. For example, DENIAL IS A RIVER, CATFISH, NISSAN ALTIMA and BOILED PEANUTS. Whether she’s flexing her rap skills or in more melodic territory, Doechii commands attention by showcasing her ability to experiment while staying rooted in lyrical authenticity.
The future
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Doechii won Best Rap Album. Notably, this placed her in an elite club alongside Lauryn Hill and Cardi B who have previously won in the category. With Alligator Bites Never Heal, Doechii has solidified her place as one of the most innovative and influential voices in modern rap.
Whether you’re drawn to her unique sound, her powerful lyricism, or her dynamic persona, there’s no denying that Doechii is a force to be reckoned with. And it’s clear that for Doechii, the journey is only just beginning.
