Every year, the Grammys serve as a window into the current state of fashion, music and artists. Featuring performances from respected artists, rappers and singers that have made a mark in the past year, they spark dialogue about who is worthy of the awards being presented. This year, Florida native Jaylah Hickmon, better known as Doechii, surprised the world with her refreshing energy and captivating performances, letting everyone know why she deserved a Grammy.

Taking home the ‘Best New Rap Album’ award for her album, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” Doechii’s unique style incorporates futuristic pop sounds with southern rap influences. The album cover is a homage to the much respected Minni Rippertons’ “Adventures in Paradise” album from 1975. Doechii’s album cover features her sitting in a single chair with a blank background and a traditional carpet. In Ripperton’s cover, the singer is petting a lion, similar to Doechii holding an alligator as a reference to the signature animal of her home state.

Characterized by her signature braids with beads matching her background dancers’, Doechii brought a unique new look to the music scene. Not only was her appearance rare and interesting, her music was something that intrigued many people. Doechii has had a number of catchy songs that have gone viral in Tiktok in the past few years that people may recognize but not have known that Doechii was the artist [like “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” and “Nissan Altima”]. Her nomination for the ‘Best New Artist’ award may have surprised some, but not others who recognized her catchy songs from past years. “She sang that song, ‘What It Is,’ and I did not know that…that song was everywhere,” junior Candice Dondon said. 

Doechii expanded her fanbase when she appeared on fellow artist Tyler the Creator’s 2024 album “Chromakopia” in the track “Balloon”. Her verse had quotable moments that made rounds on TikTok, also making her a fan favorite among the numerous features from that album. From then on, her popularity grew exponentially as another song of hers, “Denial Is A River”, garnered more attention. The vulnerable storytelling seen in the track made the song stand out as it compelled listeners, with alternating dialogue between Doechii’s fictional therapist and her response; the track fills fans in on the chaotic events regarding a former partner and her struggle with self worth she had been dealing with in the past years. The conversational component of the song made listeners interested in her music. “I feel like she really is a true artist and showcases a new music style that people really like,” junior Ansuya Bisbey said.

Many times, especially in recent years, when old archives are still accessible, the existence of a prior digital footprint hasn’t done any good to people that gain fame quickly. For Doechii, however, her digital footprint only made fans feel more connected to her. After her Grammys win, many fans discovered her Youtube channel where she frequently posted on a few years ago. One of the videos, dating back 5 years ago, was titled, “I got fired thank God.” The documentation of her journey has been public, inspiring others that they too can achieve great things and that no point in life is temporary. “It shows the true side of her and it humanizes her…it truly shows how manifestation goes a long way,” junior Matthew Dominguez said.

Doechiis journey doesn’t stop at the Grammy stage as she continues to elevate her music career, pushing boundaries by experimenting with new styles, sounds and artists. On Feb. 21, 2025, “ExtraL” with JENNIE of BLACKPINK showcased her versatility while Doechii continued to stay true to her signature sound. 

Most recently, Doechii released a remastered version of the song “Anxiety”. A track that came out when she was still an independent artist, “Anxiety” samples “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye. While reception of the track was unimpressive at first, the song later went viral on TikTok. Outside of new music, Doechii continues to further her legacy with a feature in an upcoming issue of The CUT magazine, and planned appearances with Tyler, the Creator on his world tour for Chromakopia.