Doechii is making waves as she heads into 2024, having recently showcased her talent on NPR’s Tiny Desk Series. In an impressive display, she performed alongside an all-female ensemble of Black musicians, all sporting complementary cornrows, creating a powerful visual and auditory experience.
The set began with a smooth rendition of “Boom Bap,” a sarcastic track from her debut mixtape with Top Dawg Entertainment, titled Alligator Bites Never Heal. As she transitioned into songs like “Boiled Peanuts” and “Hide and Seek,” she infused a jazzy flair into her performance. Notably, Doechii introduced a laid-back version of “Denial is a River,” a dynamic song that Rolling Stone has hailed as one of the year’s best.
The energy shifted dramatically with “Catfish,” where Doechii embraced a hard rock vibe, growling fiercely and delivering her potent lyrics backed by a lively horn section reminiscent of C-Murda’s “Down for My Niggaz.” A standout moment included her impressive a capella performance of “Nissan Altima,” complemented by a minimalistic arrangement featuring her talented bassist, who added to the performance with sheer enthusiasm. The set culminated with a high-energy praise break, showcasing the band’s dynamic synchronization.
In a thoughtful moment, Doechii chose to perform “Black Girl Memoir,” a track from her 2020 EP, Oh, The Places You’ll Go. She shared her reasoning, stating, “I decided to perform this record because I think there’s been a lot of heightened emotions with the current state of our country. I wrote this song specifically for Black women… So I dedicate this to all the beautiful Black women in the room.”
Currently, Doechii is recognized with three Grammy nominations for the 2025 awards, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Performance. Additionally, Kaytranada’s remix of her song “Alter Ego” featuring JT is nominated for Best Remixed Recording.
Her debut mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, has made a mark, landing at No. 9 on Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2024 list. To further solidify her rising status, she recently delivered a captivating performance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Last November, Doechii participated in a live conversation with Brittany Howard at Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians event at the Apollo, both artists delivering striking performances that left a lasting impression.
This momentum not only highlights Doechii’s artistic versatility but also her commitment to celebrating the lived experiences of Black women through her music, making her a compelling figure to watch as she continues to ascend in the industry.
As Doechii moves forward, her artistic expression and acknowledgment of cultural experiences resonate deeply, leaving fans excited for what she will bring in the future.