The 26-year-old artist won her first Grammy award for best rap album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal.”
By Liz Calvario
Five years ago, Doechii was fired from her job. Now, she’s a first-time Grammy award winner.
In a resurfaced 2020 YouTube video, the rapper, whose real name is Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, shared that she was let go and would look to other ways to make her dreams come true.
“So I got fired today,” the Florida native said, adding she would be OK “and then tomorrow I’m just gonna go to a whole bunch of, like, studios and ask if they have any internships open and also just, like, ask questions.”
She said she would go to studios and record labels and ask for any opportunities.
“I literally have nothing to lose. I have no place, I have no job, I have no children,” she continued. “Who cares?…I’ll let you know how that goes.”
Doechii recording her video saying she got fired, and then the artist winning her first Grammy. YouTube / Getty Images
So, how did it go? Well, in 2021 she captured the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment president Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith Jr., becoming the label’s first female rapper, according to Variety.
At the magazine’s Disrupter’s event last year, where she was honored with the ‘Hip-Hop Disruptor of the Year’ award, Moosa shared how he asked his cousin not to move into his Los Angeles apartment so Doechii could live there.
Fast forward to the 2025 Grammy Awards and Doechii, 26, won the Grammy award for best rap album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” The artist had also been nominated in the best new artist and best rap performance categories.
Doechii, who also performed during the ceremony, became the third woman after Lauryn Hill and Cardi B to win in the best rap album category.
Taking the stage with her mother during the Feb. 2 ceremony in Los Angeles, an emotional Doechii delivered an inspiring speech that went viral.
Doechii accepts the Best Rap Album Award for “Alligator Bites Never Heal” onstage during the 67th GRAMMY Awards.JC Olivera / WireImage
“I put my heart and my soul into this mixtape. I’ve bared my life. I went through so much. I dedicated myself to sobriety and God told me that I would be rewarded and that he would show me just how good it can get,” she said through tears, also thanking her mom, label and fans.
“I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there that are watching me right now and I want to tell you: You can do it. Anything is possible. Anything is possible,” she said. “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. Praise God!”
Backstage after winning her first Grammy, Doechii told reporters the moment felt “incredible” and bigger than herself.
