Doechii

Early Life

Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon, known professionally as Doechii, was born on August 14, 1998, in Tampa, Florida. Growing up in a musical family, her father, Snatcha Da Boss, was a professional rapper, and her uncle was also involved in music. Doechii was raised in a Christian household and attended Howard W. Blake High School, where she engaged in various performing arts, including ballet, tap dancing, and acting. Initially aspiring to be a professional choral singer, she shifted her focus to music after a friend encouraged her to share her work online. In 2016, she made a statement against police brutality by selling hoodies with the phrase "Stay woke. Stay black."

Career

Doechii began her music career in high school, releasing her debut song "Girls" on SoundCloud in 2016. Her first project, "Coven Music Session, Vol. 1," came out in 2019, followed by her self-funded EP "Oh the Places You'll Go" in 2020, which blended pop, dance, and hip-hop. The single "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake" from this EP went viral on TikTok in 2021, leading to her signing with Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records in 2022. Her 2023 single "What It Is" marked her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved platinum certification. In addition to her music career, Doechii made her acting debut in the film "Earth Mama" in 2023.

Musical Style

Critics have described Doechii's rap delivery as animated and her narratives as quirky, drawing comparisons to artists like Nicki Minaj and Doja Cat. She identifies her music as alternative hip-hop and cites Lauryn Hill as her biggest inspiration, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in her work. Doechii's style is characterized by expressive performances, influenced by her background in theater and her admiration for artists like Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott.