How Doechii Is Redefining Female Rap
Courtesy: Instagram/@doechii
Doechii, the vibrant rapper from Florida, is finally getting her long-deserved moment in the spotlight. With her boundless creativity and a deep admiration for old-school hip-hop, she’s crafting a lane entirely her own—while refusing to be confined to just one. Her versatility and hands-on approach have propelled her to historic heights, earning her three Grammy nominations for her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. This milestone makes her the first female rapper to achieve such recognition with a mixtape. A lyricist with bars for days, Doechii proves she has all the makings of rap’s next superstar. Here are three ways she’s redefining female rap and paving her own path.
3 Ways Doechii Is Redefining Black Female Rap:
Doechii Always Puts on a Show
When it comes to performing, Doechii is all about theatrics and energy. Her breath control and dynamic stage presence make every performance unforgettable. On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she performed alongside two Black women dancers, all three sporting matching cornrows that were seamlessly braided together at the ends. Despite their connected hairstyles, they executed every move flawlessly, delivering a performance that brought to mind the polished routines of iconic girl groups like TLC, J.J. Fad, and Salt-N-Pepa. Unlike artists who lean heavily on sex appeal or lackluster choreography, Doechii is animated and brings high-energy creativity to every stage she steps on.
Her Tiny Desk Concert was no exception. With an all-Black female band rocking matching braids with wooden beads, Doechii delivered a powerful and resonant set. Before performing “Black Girl Memoir,” she shared, “I wrote this song specifically for dark-skinned Black women. There’s a very unique experience that I’m trying to internalize, and this is a song that I think other dark-skinned women will relate to.” Her set also featured a deeply moving praise break, where she chanted like a preacher, creating a spiritual and breathtaking moment. Doechii’s collective representation of Black women in her performances makes her a powerful force in contemporary Black female rap.
2. She’s Not Afraid to Be Vulnerable
On Alligator Bites Never Heal, Doechii bares her soul, sharing the highs and lows of her life with refreshing honesty. In a lyric breakdown interview with Genius, she opened up about her struggles with substance abuse, particularly on the track “Denial Is a River.” She revealed how, at one point, she couldn’t create music without alcohol. In the song, she raps:
“I like pills, I like drugs/ I like gettin' money, I like strippers, I like to fuck/ I like day-drinkin' and day parties and Hollywood/ I like doin' Hollywood shit, snort it, probably would (yeah)/ What can I say? The shit works, it feels good/ And my self-worth's at an all-time low.”
This rawness and self-reflection offer a glimpse into her struggles while making her music deeply relatable.
“Denial Is a River,” though just two minutes long, is also layered with themes that could be unpacked for hours. In it, Doechii confronts her ex-boyfriend’s secrecy about being on the down low, exploring how his dishonesty wounded her and awakened a vengeful spirit. By closing the song with a nod to hip-hop pioneers through beatboxing—a tribute to Doug E. Fresh and The Fat Boys—Doechii reminds us she’s just as committed to honoring the genre’s roots as she is to breaking new ground.
3. Black Culture Is Embedded in Everything She Does
From her lyrics to her visuals, Doechii celebrates Black culture in ways that feel both intentional and innovative. In her “Sunday’s Best” music video, she captures the cycle of depression and self-care. The video shows Doechii crying in a cluttered living room (relatable for anyone who’s ever had that kind of day) but she ultimately chooses to pick herself up, clean her space, wash her natural hair, and embrace the day ahead. It’s a powerful depiction of resilience, highlighting the everyday strength of Black women while blending seriousness with a playful touch.
As an artist, Doechii is unafraid to honor those who paved the way while asserting her place in the culture. Her song “Catfish” channels the eccentric energy of Busta Rhymes’ 1996 hit “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check.” With lines like, “Doechii the Don, Doechii the dean/ Doechii supreme, the swamp ruler,” her delivery mirrors Busta’s cocky, animated style, paying homage while making the flow distinctly hers.
In an interview with Apple Music, she explained her approach: “I feel it is important to uphold the heart of hip-hop, which is lyrical composition. It is skill. It is wittiness. But it is also about sharing our feelings, being honest about what we’re going through, and connecting us as people.”
Doechii is a multifaceted artist who prioritizes storytelling. Her music, live performances, and visual concepts are a refreshing celebration of Black women everywhere. By staying true to herself, she reintroduces fun, humor, and depth to female rap, setting herself apart from the competition. As she continues to rise in the world of hip-hop, we’re excited to see where her journey takes her.
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