Five years ago, Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, known as Doechii, was just a young woman from Tampa, Florida, struggling to survive without stable income or housing. Today, with a Grammy, millions of streams, and a record deal with Kendrick Lamar’s label, she is one of the most powerful names in the rap scene.
From Nothing to Stardom
A viral video that resurfaced after her 2025 Grammy win shows Doechii staring into the camera in 2020, shortly after being fired from her job, saying:
“I literally have nothing to lose. No home, no job… Who cares?”
Instead of giving up, she poured everything into her music.
Moving to Los Angeles and Signing with TDE
In 2021, Doechii caught the attention of Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith Jr., president of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Impressed by her talent, he invited her to move to Los Angeles. By 2022, she officially signed with TDE, becoming the first female rapper in the label’s history, joining artists like SZA and Kendrick Lamar.
“Alligator Bites Never Heal” – A Raw Soul Confession
In 2024, Doechii released “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” a mixtape that was not just a debut but a deeply personal musical confession. Through tracks like “Denial is a River,” she addresses pain, depression, recovery, and loss.
“I bared my soul in this mixtape. God told me I would be rewarded for everything I’ve been through – and He was right.”
Critics praised it as “authentic and deeply personal,” blending ‘90s boom bap beats with unfiltered rap aesthetics.
A Historic Grammy Win
On February 2, 2025, Doechii made history by winning the Grammy for Best Rap Album. She was the only woman competing against legends like J. Cole, Future, and Eminem and became just the third female artist ever to win this award, following Lauryn Hill and Cardi B.
“I know there’s a little Black girl out there watching me right now. I want to tell her: Anything is possible.”
With tears in her eyes and her mother by her side, she delivered a powerful message of empowerment:
“Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong here. You are exactly who you’re meant to be.”
From TikTok to the Global Stage
Doechii’s rise began on TikTok when “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” went viral in 2021.
- Her Tiny Desk Concert on NPR in 2023 surpassed 13 million views and was hailed as triumphant by Rolling Stone.
- Her song “Anxiety” resurged in 2025 after a viral TikTok linked it to Will Smith and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
- With choreographed performances on The Late Show and other programs, she shattered stereotypes about women in rap.
An Artist Who Fearlessly Embraces Authenticity
Doechii doesn’t follow rules. Openly bisexual, she challenges racial and gender stereotypes while bringing a fresh voice to female rap.
- She is unafraid to speak about mental health.
- She is unafraid to show vulnerability.
- She is unafraid to claim her space in the industry.
Her journey from unemployment to global recognition proves that she’s not just the next rising rapper—she’s a phenomenon that’s only just begun.
