In the ever-evolving world of hip-hop, 2024 is turning out to be quite the year—especially for Doechii, who has taken the industry by storm, proving that talented newcomers can still hit it big! Just take a moment to imagine her debut project—nestled under the revered TDE label—like discovering a hidden gem in a sea of diamonds. Her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, didn’t just make waves; it crashed onto the charts and even snagged a Grammy for Best Rap Album! Now, hold onto your hats, folks, because this is where it gets interesting. Alongside accolades, she’s received some dubious accusations of being an “industry plant,” a term tossed around like confetti at a parade. But instead of crumbling under scrutiny, Doechii has turned the tables, taking these claims in stride and using them as fuel for her fire! With co-signs from giants like Tyler, The Creator and Kendrick Lamar, she’s not just planting her feet in the industry; she’s making it dance to her tune. So, let’s dive deeper into her journey and discover how confidence and authenticity can change the game—one verse at a time!
Doechii really hit it big in 2024. The rapper hit paydirt with her debut project on TDE, Alligator Bites Never Heal. The mixtape was praised by fans and critics alike, and won a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Doechii also scored major co-signs from the likes of Tyler, The Creator and Kendrick Lamar. She is the newly minted star of the moment, which has led to some fans crying foul. There’s been some who’ve accused Doechii of being an industry plant, and benefiting from manufactured label buzz. Well, she’s responded to this criticism.
The rapper actually took the industry plant accusations in stride. She told The Cut that the theory she has been boosted by a label means she is connecting on a level few of her peers are. “Once you get any conspiracies around your career,” Doechii explained. “That’s just confirmation that I’m going somewhere, and I’m doing something right.” The rapper also took the time to point out that she’s been making music for a while. She already had two mixtapes and two EPs under her belt when she signed to TDE. Alligator Bites Never Heal simply exposed her to more people.
“When people aren’t familiar with the history of an artist these days, they get suspicious,” Doechii told the outlet. “I’m pretty detached emotionally from it because I understand where it’s coming from.” She credits her ascension to stardom with her increased confidence as an artist. When she started making music in 2016, Doechii admits she was unsure of herself. The more work she put in, though, the better she got at expressing herself through song. She even likened the process to exercising, and her writing akin to using a muscle over and over again.
“You try things little by little, and then eventually those risks get bigger and bigger and bigger,” she told Rolling Out. “You trust yourself, you build a confidence and that’s kind of how you establish who you are.” Doechii also noted that her skills as a performer have improved since releasing her first mixtape, Coven Music Session, Vol. 1 in 2019. “I like writing by myself, and then I love to perform,” she explained. “And I do all of this for the moment that I’m on stage. It means a lot to me.” It seems to mean a lot to listeners around the world, as well.