Doechii: Unparalleled Artistry, Authenticity, and Style
Doechii at the Variety Hitmaker Awards, 2024
Since the release of her August 2024 mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, rapper-singer-songwriter extraordinaire Doechii has been the center of attention. In an Instagram post announcing the album, Doechii wrote, “This mixtape embodies my resurgence, my reclaiming of power… it is my fight back. I am nobody’s prey; I was born to be the predator.” And fight fiercely, she has: the empowered mixtape encapsulates themes of resilience and resistance in the face of depression, discrimination, and degradation.
Originally from Tampa, Florida, the 26-year-old gained viral popularity in 2023 with the single “What It Is (Block Boy),” which went platinum. Doechii’s other EPs are Oh the Places You’ll Go (2020) and She / Her / Black Bitch (2022), but her latest project has catapulted her into stardom, earning a cult following of fans and gaining positive reviews from major music journals Rolling Stone and Stereogum. Truly distinct from her peers, Doechii’s animated physical, vocal, and lyrical presentation, coupled with narrative-driven songs reminiscent of old-school hip-hop, make her a standout artist in her genre(s). There are so many things to love about this record: Doechii’s ability to craft catchy hooks, her darkly witty lyricism, and a strong stylistic range proven by a unique blend of rap, pop, alternative hip-hop, and R&B. But perhaps the most intriguing element of Doechii’s recent meteoric rise to the mainstream is the sheer artistry: her live performances, styling, social media presence, and charismatic public image are equal parts captivating and refreshing.
Live Performances: Style, Substance, and Everything In-Between
In the final weeks of 2024, Doechii gave two of her most iconic and well-known live performances, firmly cementing her position on many critics’ year-end lists –– and solidifying a spot as a promising nominee for the upcoming Grammy Awards. Her early December appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert remains one of my favorite performances I’ve ever seen: Doechii’s commitment to both the visuals and the vision, as well as her electric stage presence, theatricality, and talented crew of backup dancers and stylists makes this 2-song medley a powerhouse production. Doechii and her two backup dancers have identical outfits and sharp, dynamic choreography. The added element of being tethered together by their hair makes Doechii’s movements around the set logistically challenging and visually striking. You can’t take your eyes off of her. Her smooth transition from “BOILED PEANUTS” to “DENIAL IS A RIVER,” one of the most popular tracks from Alligator Bites Never Heal, showcases the artist’s ability to segue from not only one song’s mood or theme to another, but from one persona to another –– the ‘character’ of Doechii evolves throughout the performance. It’s truly mesmerizing to pick up on her intentional choices surrounding facial expressions, annunciation, precise movements, and the flawless execution of a creative concept: connectivity.
Around the same time, Doechii dropped a Tiny Desk Concert, part of the NPR Music series, complete with a full band and a fresh interpretation of some of her biggest hits. Always on-point with her personal styling, Doechii sported baggy beige pants, a shirt and tie, and a white jacket. Elements of retro academia and school uniforms have become a staple for the artist and her entourage in several public appearances and social media posts. I’m consistently impressed by the rapper’s effortless range, from feminine to androgynous looks. Ahead of her ABNH tour, Doechii posted “style guides” to her Instagram, promoting both camo-heavy, sexy ‘swamp’-core ’fits and preppy, masculine ensembles reminiscent of Tyler, the Creator’s trademark colorful suits and sweaters; Doechii does it all. Her confidence in donning masc presentations, such as a wide-shouldered pinstriped suit at the Variety Hitmaker Awards, is a subtle yet important portrayal of diversity and individualized expression in the rap scene, within queer communities, and, particularly, in response to the pressures women in the entertainment industry face. In both aforementioned live performances, and at the Variety Awards and other events, Doechii challenges assumptions and expectations of hyperfemininity, while maintaining her signature fashion flair. While Doechii’s lyricism spotlights harmful stigmas and judgments cast on female rappers, her self-expression –– musically and in terms of clothing –– is undeniably proud: “I think that’s why a lot of my fans are gay, because we have great taste… we get it.”
Aside from a casual yet eye-catching wardrobe, another standout piece of the Tiny Desk Concert is Doechii’s dedication to featuring a broad range of sonic influences. Her band incorporates jazz riffs, funky electric guitar solos, and softer tones during a smooth R&B spin on “HIDE N SEEK.” At one point, the singer calls for a “praise break,” as the keyboardist transitions into a gospel-inspired solo and the whole crew begins clapping: the joy is infectious. The rapper’s lyrical prowess and appreciation for musical theater, satire, genre-bending, and creative visuals shine through, even while ending the show with a song from an earlier project. Doechii and her band transform the Tiny Desk Concert into a space that is intimate and electrifying all at once. As the NPR live studio audience applauds enthusiastically at each break, Doechii’s wide grin is genuine –– and contagious.
Highlighting Authenticity and Emotional Intimacy on Alligator Bites Never Heal
The beats, melodies, and ingenious production on the Alligator Bites Never Heal tracklist speak for themselves. But Doechii’s lyrics, from the more earnest meditations on identity, self-worth, and harsh expectations of the music industry, to playful, sex-positive, and downright genius-level lines, are surely expediting her well-deserved rise to the top of the charts. On “CATFISH,” Doechii flows, “Creepin’ on me, speakin’ on me, sleepin’ on me, mattress / Now I got some bands to burn and bars to bend ‘em backwards / It’s time to wake ‘em up ‘cuz they been sleepin’ on the tracklist,” clever tongue-in-cheek wit perfectly encapsulating a larger-than-life persona. Presenting a stark contrast from contemporary “mumble rap,” Doechii’s articulation and intentional voice inflection seem well-suited for other cross-disciplinary arts such as spoken-word slam poetry or theater. On tracks like “BOOM BAP,” the rapper critiques the stereotypes and assumptions surrounding the genre: she doesn’t shy away from crediting her hip-hop roots, but Doechii is headstrong and determined to pave her own way in the current climate of music, seamlessly blending styles and enhancing her craft with relatable stories of rebirth.
With the perfect recipe –– a robust talent for storytelling, a deliberate approach to vulnerability, and the courage to publicly process self-doubt, insecurities, and lackluster relationships –– Alligator Bites Never Heal has received critical acclaim. In a September interview with Rolling Stone, Doechii notes, “There’s a space that I feel like we need to fill in hip-hop right now. This project, sonically, feels nostalgic, but it also feels forward… ” Although unpacking deeply personal trauma on a hit mixtape can be daunting and overwhelming, Doechii has repeatedly emphasized that the project’s chronological series of events follows her rise and fall through dark periods and attempts to heal. Simply put, her songwriting process is therapeutic. The self-proclaimed “Swamp Princess,” an alias that pays homage to her hometown’s gator-ridden wetlands, doesn’t disregard her complex relationship with her upbringing, her path to sobriety, and her true emotions. Instead, she has learned to channel that trauma into truth. Even on social media accounts that reach over 1.5 million followers, and in interviews with premier music journalism outlets, Doechii doesn’t hide behind a tough-guy facade, admitting in an interview “I like [exploring heavy themes through humor] because it makes other people digest it better… They can face themselves through my music in a comedic way. It’s easily digestible that way.” She has spoken about getting sober from alcohol and drugs, her mental health journey, and the dichotomy between being comfortable with her queerness and feeling accepted by the religious environment in which she was raised. For Doechii, authenticity means erasing outside distractions –– being willing to bare one’s true emotions and confront what seems impossible to face. Regarding sobriety and adapting to a more relaxed lifestyle, the artist shared with a writer at Gay Times, “...It was a little bit difficult… but when you get a grip on your environment… it’s actually quite simple.” The album, as well as Doechii’s entire creative ethos, is grounded in being authentic –– which sometimes requires laughing at oneself, using dark humor to cope, and having the courage to stand up and face internal and external ‘predators’ alike. Even on the more lighthearted songs, Doechii handles serious issues gracefully, responding to negativity with positive affirmations and reassuring herself that the hard work is worthwhile.
Collaborations and Other Projects
Doechii’s command of both the page and the stage carries over to collaborations with other artists, where she leans into cheeky humor in response to the pain she’s encountered. Tyler, the Creator’s “Balloon,” from his latest record CHROMAKOPIA, features a killer verse from Doechii, and fans have been going wild over footage of the pair’s rousing, dynamic performance at Camp Flog Gnaw. Doechii’s lines “...Where the swamp is? / Flyest bitch up in the room, I need a cockpit / I need some PETA for this p*ssy, they want the croc print…” incorporate her knack for wordplay, puns, and lyrics that don’t take themselves too seriously. The animated, self-assured verse showcases a different side of Doechii: one that sets aside personal doubts, instead capitalizing on a confident, ultra-positive self-view.
So, what’s the trailblazing Swamp Princess up to now, more than four months after the release of ABNH? Doechii’s latest release is the “DENIAL IS A RIVER” music video, inspired by family sitcom sets from the late 1990s to the 2010s. Although the video opens with Doechii portrayed as a stereotypical ‘woman of the house’ preparing dinner, she quickly changes outfits with each ‘era,’ signaling personal growth and burgeoning creative independence. She narrates events from her life while simultaneously breaking the fourth wall to reveal a studio audience contributing to the laugh track. From the filming and direction to Doechii’s fluidity in portraying different characters, to the evident joy and innovation poured into the project, it’s one of the most unique and inventive music videos I’ve seen in a long time. The originality of the idea, the nod to ‘90s TV and pop culture, the creative promotional methods, and the production of the video itself (which feels, at times, more like an artsy short film) all culminate in a fresh, fun translation of Doechii’s rawest emotions. In other news, her hit song “NISSAN ALTIMA” appears on the soundtrack for the 2025 film One of Them Days, starring SZA and Keke Palmer, and her Instagram stays up to date with fit pics, snippets from her ABNH tour documentary footage, and photoshoots from magazine interviews. Journals big and small are eager to talk to Doechii about her rapidly developing popularity –– and a career that seems like it’s only getting started. A fashion icon, an artistic visionary, a star on the rise, and a wildly charming and engaging live performer, Doechii sums it up perfectly on the banger “BOOM BAP:” “It's everything! / I’m everythingggg!” And, who are we to disagree with her?