Doechii
Biography
Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon, known professionally as Doechii, was born on August 14, 1998, in Tampa, Florida. Raised in a creative environment with a rapper father, she was involved in various artistic pursuits like ballet, tap dancing, and acting during her time at Howard W. Blake High School. She initially planned to be a choral singer but was encouraged by a friend to release her own music online.
Career Beginnings
Doechii began her music career by releasing her first song, "Girls," on SoundCloud in 2016 under the name Iamdoechii. She later released a compilation titled Coven Music Session, Vol. 1 in 2019. In 2020, she self-funded and released her debut EP, Oh the Places You'll Go. A track from this EP, "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake," went viral on TikTok in 2021, which brought her significant attention from record labels.
Rise to Prominence
In March 2022, Doechii signed a joint record deal with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Capitol Records, becoming the first female rapper on the TDE roster. That same year, she released her second EP, She / Her / Black Bitch. Her 2023 single, "What It Is (Block Boy)," featuring Kodak Black, became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2023, she also made her acting debut in the film Earth Mama and performed at Coachella.
Recent Success
Doechii's second mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, was released in August 2024 to critical acclaim and peaked in the top 10 of the Billboard 200. The mixtape won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2025, making her the third woman to win in that category. She was also named a Rising Star by Billboard Women in Music in 2023 and Woman of the Year in 2025. Her accolades also include nominations for MTV Video Music Awards, a BET Award, and multiple NAACP Image Awards, winning for Outstanding New Artist in 2025.