For the first time in her career, Doechii stepped onto the stage to perform at the Grammy Awards tonight. The Florida-born rapper and self-proclaimed “Swamp Princess” celebrated her Best Rap Album win with remarkable renditions of “Catfish” and “Denial Is a River,” for which she stripped down to underwear and danced as she rapped.
Tonight’s Grammy Awards is a significant one for Doechii, as she also celebrates her first nominations—and historic win. The artist has been recognized in three categories, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (Alligator Bites Never Heal), and Best Rap Performance (“Nissan Altima”).
Doechii’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Her album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, has drawn comparisons to well-known works like Kendrick Lamar’s Section.80 and SZA’s CTRL for its rawness and sharp lyricism. Speaking to Rolling Stone last year, Doechii referred to her music as “therapy,” tackling themes of infidelity, self-doubt, and growth.
Doechii has also recently garnered attention with high-profile collaborations, including features on Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia and Jennie Kim’s upcoming debut album, Ruby. She also headlined her own sold-out tour and put on viral performances at NPR’s Tiny Desk and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Reflecting on her process working on Alligator Bites Never Heal, and addressing personal topics throughout the album, Doechii told Variety, “It’s scary, and it’s very vulnerable, but I have to do it, because I’m an artist.”
In her Best Rap Album award speech tonight, she addressed the audience, saying, “Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, to 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 right now.”
