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How Doechii became the most exciting rapper of the moment
Propelled by her songs that have become a flagship on TikTok, Doechii has established herself as one of the big names in contemporary music. At just 27, the Florida-born rapper stands out with her corrosive punchlines, acclaimed by Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Tyler, The Creator. The artist unveiled her third mixtape, titled Alligator Bites Never Heal, which earned her the award for ‘Best Rap Album of the Year’ at the 2025 Grammy Awards. As Doechii has just released a new single featuring SZA, Numéro dives into the journey of the new sensation of American rap.
by Violaine Schütz. Jordan Bako.
Published on 4 February 2025. Updated on 5 January 2026.
A sensational performance at the Grand Dîner du Louvre
Doechii gave her fans a heads-up on Twitter on March 5th, 2025: “Swamp [the nickname she uses for her fans], I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I’ve got so many gems for you tonight.” A few hours after posting that message, the coolest rapper of the moment dropped a new single titled Anxiety, which took social media by storm.
And she didn’t stop there. Doechii made a standout appearance at the Grand Dîner du Louvre. The fundraising dinner was held at the Louvre on March 4th, 2025, during Paris Fashion Week. Gigi Hadid, Keira Knightley, and Naomi Campbell were present too. That night, the rapper turned heads in a jewel-encrusted yellow couture Valentino gown.
Later that night, for the after-party beneath the museum’s iconic glass pyramid, Doechii delivered a surprise, high-energy performance. She sang some of the biggest hits, dressed in a denim Schiaparelli look adorned with gold buttons. There, the artist cemented her status as the icon of the moment.
Grammy Awards 2025: A consecration for rapper Doechii
Doechii clearly has a talent for performance. On October 25th, 2024, she gave an exceptional show at the Alhambra in Paris. Both a stage beast and a new age therapist, the rapper twirled in a Vivienne Westood ensemble, dressed in a plaid skirt and a white shirt with a scruffy button placket.
She took off her shoes, burnt a sage stick, invited her fans to perform with her and encouraged her audience to chant mantras at the end of the concert. A concert that was undoubtedly one of the best experiences of last year.
2025 was synonymous with consecration for the rapper, who released a new single featuring SZA in December. Winner of the Rising Star award at the Billboard Women in Music 2023 ceremony, Doechii continues her rise with no less than three nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards and a win for Best Rap Album, thus establishing herself as the most nominated female rap artist of that edition.
She was in the running for the Best New Artist award, alongside other rising artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Raye. She also competed for Best Rap Album, a well-deserved recognition, and Best Rap Performance with her single Nissan Altima. We know who our favorite was…
Alligator Bites Never Heal, the mixtape praised by Kendrick Lamar
It must be said that Doechii hit hard with Alligator Bites Never Heal, her second mixtape released in 2024. A title that hints at one of Florida’s most iconic animals – the region in the United States where she was born. Across the 19 tracks that make up the album, Doechii lays herself bare with both defiance and vulnerability. Blending ego trips with intrusive thoughts, she delves into her path to sobriety and her doubts about a fickle music industry — always with biting cynicism and flair. In Denial is a River and Boom Bap, for instance, the artist makes hilarious parodies – including one of her therapist – against wildly energetic beats.
The sharp lyrics of Alligator Bites Never Heal finally established Doechii as a storytelling master and caught the attention of Kendrick Lamar. The rapper even published an Instagram story with the cover of the rising star’s album. “The hardest out,” he wrote as a caption.
Doechii, from gymnastics to the stage
Now based in Los Angeles, Doechii has come a long way from her native Florida. Born Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, the 27-year-old artist from Tampa had to create a shell for herself in the face of the racist bullying she suffered from in elementary school, according to her own words shared in Gay Times.
When she started college, she created Doechii, her stage persona, from the most confident part of her personality. The fearless part of herself with a sharp tongue. Very demanding with herself, the young Jaylah received an education in performing arts as a teenager, including gymnastics, theater and tap dancing.
A dazzling breakthrough on social networks
While she became known under the pseudonym “Iamdoechii” on Soundcloud in 2016, it was the track Yucky Blucky Fruitcake that put Doechii, a year later, in the spotlight. Little by little, the rapper sharpened an artistic universe that flirted with electro. As abrasive as they are poetic, his elaborate punchlines quickly conquer the web.
She has had a string of successes, especially on TikTok and YouTube. On that last platform, she launched her “Swamp Sessions”, a series of singles often isolated from her mixtapes. It was how several of her songs became global phenomena, from the house anthem Persuasive (2022) to the R&B track What It Is (Block Boy) (2023).
Regarding her meteoric breakthrough, Doechii makes ironic comments in Stanka Pooh, a track from Alligator Bites Never Heal (2024): “And if I died today, I would die a bastard. TikTok rapper, part-time YouTube actress .”
From SZA to Tyler, The Creator, prestigious collaborations
Janelle Monaé, SZA, JT, Sleepy Hallow… As her career took off, the rapper multiplied featurings with artists from various musical backgrounds. From pop to R’n’B, via soul, Doechii easily takes on all the productions she touches.
Against the backdrop of Kaytranada‘s floating bass, the rapper offered a haunting remix of Ravyn Lenae’s track Xtasy. More so, she stole the show from Katy Perry and Smino on their respective tracks I’m his, He’s mine (2024) and Pro Freak (2022). Last year, one could hear the artist alongside singer Banks and Tyler, The Creator. So many big names that confirm that Doechii is indeed an artist to watch closely in 2026…
Girl, get up (2025) by Doechii featuring SZA, available now.
