“Don’t allow…don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark, or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic, or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony.” – Doechii, Grammy Awards, 2025
This year, brilliant musician Doechii won her first Grammy. Her victory for Best Rap Album with Alligator Bites Never Heal was significant because she became only the third woman to win this award in the category’s 36-year history, following Lauryn Hill (with The Fugees) and Cardi B. Doechii’s noteworthy achievement underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating female artists in a genre that is often dominated by men. Her journey of overcoming adversity and achieving success serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists, particularly women in hip-hop.
Doechii’s music often explores her experiences, including overcoming personal struggles and addiction. As a darkskinned, queer woman, Doechii has thrived while staying authentically true to herself. She serves as a reminder that our authenticity is our greatest strength.
Doechii, whose real name is Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, is a Tampa-born rapper and singer-songwriter who rose to fame after her debut EP Oh the Places You’ll Go (2020) and TikTok viral success with her song Yucky Blucky Fruitcake. She has since gained recognition, performing at music festivals like Governors Ball and Coachella, and winning the Rising Star award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards. In August 2024, she released her album, Alligator Bites Never Heal.
Doechii’s name originated when she was 11 years old. She wrote the persona in her diary after being bullied, prompting her to write, “I am Doechii.” The name came to her as a way to express herself and embrace a new, fearless persona. Her Florida roots play a significant role in her identity. In recent interviews and social media posts, she often refers to herself as “Swamp Princess” to connect with her origins and showcase her unique style. The title also reinforces this theme, cementing her connection to the imagery and symbolism of alligators and the swamps. Doechii says, “I am nobody’s prey; I was born to be the predator.”
Doechii is a game changer. A shift in culture. A movement in beauty and style. Her appearances in the front rows at International Fashion Weeks and the countless think-pieces written about her beauty looks — from her signature exposed face tapes to every lip color she wears — tell us Doechii has already become a fashion and beauty icon and continues to shift the perspective on what is beautiful.
Without the usual over-styled appearance common among many young celebrities and without committing to a single aesthetic, Doechii is imaginative and experimental. She and her glam team, which has included hairstylist Malcolm Marquez, makeup artists Dee Carrion and Chelsea Uchenna, and manicurist Rachel Sun, embrace her unique style with an approach that serves as an inspiration for many who have not seen themselves represented in music, major fashion labels, or makeup lines.
One makeup signature that stands out is her previously mentioned use of face tape as a fashion statement to enhance her features and express her individuality. She’s not afraid to show the tape, which she places on the sides of her face and over her hair. Read the comments from professional makeup artists after any award show she appears at, and it is evident she is forcing the old guard to rethink what we consider acceptable and inspiring so many to embrace their individuality. When interviewed about the signature face tape, makeup artist Dee Carion says, “We loved the idea of exposing something that’s usually supposed to be hidden. In the beginning, we were using them because we loved the editorial look it gave, and from then on we wanted to begin incorporating them into her regular style. I began thinking of ways to elevate and bring a unique style to them. The Grammy rhinestone tapes were just the beginning.”
Doechii is not concerned about what detractors have to say. She is committed to her people and uses her platform to spotlight causes she cares about and inspire her communities. In her now-famous Grammy acceptance speech, Doechii expressed profound gratitude to her family, her label Top Dawg Entertainment, her communities, and her dedicated fanbase, affectionately known as the Swamp. But it was her deeply personal reflection on her unapologetic blackness, queerness and on her sobriety that left the audience in awe.
“This win is for anyone out there who feels lost—know that transformation is possible, and your dreams are valid.” Her words struck a chord with millions, particularly those from traditionally marginalized communities who have not been made to feel safe, seen, or celebrated as they share their art and passion, proving that success and creativity can flourish without conforming to the role society expects you to play. In the queer lexicon, Doechii may be referred to as an up-and coming legend, but she is already a game-changer and an instant icon.
Words James Vincent
Illustration David Gilmore
