Early Beginnings: From Tampa to Stardom
Doechii was born Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon in Tampa, Florida, and represents her city’s rich culture seamlessly. Her lyrics shine a light on the Sunshine State’s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture and craft her musical identity that feels like no other: “Swamp Princess”.
Music became a part of her life at an early age when she penned her first song in sixth grade with Nicki Minaj as her muse while drawing from her Christian beliefs. At Howard W. Blake High School in Tampa Doechii sharpened her performing arts abilities by studying ballet along with tap dance, acting, gymnastics, and cheerleading before establishing her future stage charisma.
Making her musical debut in 2016, Doechii released “Girls” on SoundCloud as Iamdoechii. Although she faced initial obstacles in her music career she created a loyal fan base that fuelled the growth of her musical development. Her experimental style first emerged in Coven Music Session, Vol. 1, revealing the raw talent that would soon capture industry attention.
The turning point came in 2020 with her self-funded mixtape Oh the Places You’ll Go. Its standout track “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” became a viral TikTok sensation, launching her into the spotlight. The success of her music led to her historic contract signing with Top Dawg Entertainment during 2022 making her the very first female rapper in their artist roster. That same year, her selection for XXL’s Freshman Class placed her among hip-hop’s elite, alongside artists like J. Cole and Megan Thee Stallion.
The Groundbreaking “Alligator Bites Never Heal”
Doechii’s Grammy-winning mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal” was a culmination of years of work and creative exploration. Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records released the project on August 30, 2024, featuring production from Banser, Camper, Childish Major, and Monte Booker. According to Doechii’s engineer Jayda Love, the mixtape combined songs from the “Swamp Sessions” and older tracks that didn’t make it to her debut album. The recording process was intense, with the final background vocals for “FIREFLIES” being recorded the night before submission.
“The alligator’s ‘death roll’ represents my battles with creative burnout and industry pressures. This mixtape is my fight back—I am nobody’s prey; I was born to be the predator.”
The mixtape’s title and concept reflect Doechii’s personal struggles and resilience. She likened her experiences to an alligator’s “death roll,” describing the project as her way of fighting back against challenges in her life and career. The cover art, featuring Doechii holding an albino alligator, pays homage to her Florida roots and her nickname “Swamp Princess”. The album’s 19 tracks showcase Doechii’s versatility, with songs like “BOOM BAP” honoring hip-hop traditions and “Denial is a River” revealing her vulnerability and sobriety journey.
The Florida “Swamp Princess” Legacy
Miami tends to control most Florida hip-hop conversations but Doechii now represents Tampa as she promotes its authentic uncut creative expressions through her platform. Her self-proclaimed “Swamp Princess” persona—a nod to Florida’s misunderstood resilience—challenges industry norms while celebrating her roots.
Roots in Tampa’s Cultural Scene
Doechii’s artistry is deeply influenced by Tampa’s vibrant cultural landscape, particularly the historic Ybor City district. The legendary LGBTQ+ community and drag ballroom scene in the neighborhood have strongly influenced her daring performance style. In her own words shared with Billboard: “I draw inspiration from the resilience and artistry of drag queens in Ybor City.”
Through her openly bisexual stance, Doechii combines the musical elements of her Southern roots with expressions of her queer identity. This unique perspective shines through in tracks like “Persuasive” and “Alter Ego,” where Southern grit meets queer defiance, creating a sound that’s distinctly her own.
Grammy Award Nominated, Performance and Industry Recognition
Triple nominated. At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Doechii’s artistic excellence was recognized with three nominations – Best Rap Album, Best New Artist, and Best Rap Song for “Denial Is a River.” Her Best Rap Album win during the ceremony became a historic moment because she became one of the youngest artists and only the 3rd female artist to achieve this distinction.
Doechii’s Grammys performance
Doechii’s groundbreaking performance at the Grammy Awards showcased her artistic evolution, delivering a powerful medley of “Catfish” and “Denial is a River” from her award-winning album Alligator Bites Never Heal. The Best Rap Album award victory became an important milestone because it demonstrated both career advancement and personal achievement in her sobriety. During her acceptance speech, she powerfully connected these threads, stating, “I dedicated myself to sobriety, and God told me that I would be rewarded and that he would show me just how good it could get.” Through her openness about battling depression and addiction, particularly in tracks like “Denial is a River,” Doechii has emerged as an influential voice challenging hip-hop’s stereotypes around substance use while proving that creativity can flourish in sobriety.
Championing Tomorrow’s Artists
The recent success of winning a Grammy award has fueled Doechii’s dedication to serving new musical artists and creating more diversity in the music business. Her transformation from a struggling artist into a successful rapper allows her to understand the obstacles that new musicians experience especially those who belong to underrepresented communities.
Doechii chose her Grammy acceptance speech moment to praise Black women and young aspiring artists in the music industry by saying “I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there that are watching me right now, and I want to tell you: You can do it. Anything is possible.“
In addition to motivational words, Doechii dedicates substantial efforts toward helping up-and-coming artists. Through her involvement, she participates in both mentorship programs and industry events, which serve to advance new musical talents within hip-hop and R&B.
Catch Doechii Performance Live in 2025
Experience Doechii’s electrifying rap performance on her current tour, featuring tracks from Alligator Bites Never Heal and her earlier hits.
Upcoming Shows:
- London, England @ Victoria Park | All Points East Festival 2025 (August 23, 2025)
- Perth, Australia @ Jack Rabbit Slim’s (April 4, 2025)
- Roskilde, Denmark @ Roskilde Festival 2025 (July 6, 2025)
Don’t miss your chance to witness the “Swamp Princess” in her element as she continues to redefine the boundaries of contemporary hip-hop.Visit TicketX for tickets and exclusive discounts, or check their official website for more info.
