Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, known professionally as Doechii (/ˈdoʊtʃi/), is a rapper, singer, and songwriter. She is a dynamic force in contemporary music, who blends hip-hop, R&B, and pop into a sound that is uniquely her own. Though she explored various art forms, including ballet, tap dancing, acting, cheerleading, and gymnastics during high school, her passion for poetry and storytelling ultimately drew her to music.
Doechii’s career as an independent artist began with the 2016 release of her debut track, “Girls”, on SoundCloud under the moniker Iamdoechii. This was followed by Coven Music Session, Vol. 1 in 2019, which paved the way for her self-funded debut EP, Oh the Places You’ll Go (2020). The EP, praised by Rolling Stone as a vibrant mix of pop, dance, and hip-hop, included the single “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake”, whose viral success on TikTok in 2021 significantly elevated her profile and garnered attention from major record labels.
In March 2022, Doechii signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in a joint venture with Capitol Records, making history as the first female rapper on the TDE roster, home to acclaimed artists like Kendrick Lamar and SZA. That same month, she released her first TDE single, Persuasive, and featured on David Guetta and Afrojack’s Trampoline alongside Missy Elliott and Bia.
Doechii continued her momentum in April 2022 with the release of the single “Crazy” and its accompanying music video. On August 5, 2022, she released her second EP and major label debut, She / Her / Black Bitch. That year, her performance of “Persuasive” at the MTV Video Music Awards earned her a nomination for Push Performance of the Year. In April 2023, Doechii performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, further solidifying her presence in the music scene. She also made her acting debut in Savanah Leaf’s drama film, Earth Mama.
In August 2024, Doechii released her widely acclaimed third mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. Pitchfork hailed it as “her most ambitious and musically diverse release”, praising its blend of playful melodies and hard-hitting hip-hop. Thanks to Alligator Bites, Doechii would also receive his first Grammy for Best Rap Album of the Year at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony. Also notably, in October 2024, Doechii would appear on Tyler, the Creator‘s track “Balloon” from his album Chromakopia.
Doechii is openly bi. In a 2022 GQ interview, Doechii’s discussion of her sexuality offers crucial context for understanding her artistic expression. She states that while she “always knew” she was queer and bisexual, she only became comfortable speaking about it publicly after forming stronger connections with other LGBT people. In 2022 she stated for GQ:
“I always knew that I was queer, and I was bisexual. But I didn’t really feel comfortable talking about it, because nobody around me was gay.”
Doechii links this development to her music, observing that the LGBT community, especially the trans community, connected with her sound, particularly “Yucky Blucky”, finding empowerment in it.
Later in 2024, in an interview with Gay Times, Doechii explicitly addresses her attraction to women, stating she “always knew” and has been “very, very aware from an early age”.