Doechii is kicking off 2024 on a high note, making waves as the latest featured artist in NPR’s Tiny Desk Series. Accompanied by an ensemble of talented Black women sporting stylish cornrows, she delivered an exhilarating performance that showcased her versatile sound.
The set began smoothly with “Boom Bap,” a witty track from her debut mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, released under Top Dawg Entertainment. Doechii infused her jazz-inflected interpretations of songs like “Boiled Peanuts” and “Hide and Seek,” even offering a chill rendition of the second verse of “Denial is a River,” a rapid-fire narrative of her challenging past that has garnered praise from Rolling Stone as one of the best songs of the year.
Transitioning into a hard rock vibe, she unleashed her fierce energy with “Catfish,” punctuated by a robust horn section that gave a nod to C-Murda’s classic track. In a stunning display of her speed and skill, Doechii performed parts of “Nissan Altima” a capella, before being accompanied by minimal instrumentation, including a bassist who added flair to the show. The performance culminated in a spirited praise break, amplifying the high energy of the set.
In a poignant moment, Doechii chose to perform “Black Girl Memoir” from her 2020 EP, Oh, The Places You’ll Go, stating, “I wrote this song specifically for Black women,” and dedicating it to the beautiful Black women in attendance as a reflection on the heightened emotions surrounding the current state of affairs in the country.
Her talents have not gone unnoticed, as Doechii has received three Grammy nominations for the 2025 awards, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Performance. Furthermore, Kaytranda’s remix of her song “Alter Ego” featuring JT is nominated for “Best Remixed Recording.”
Alligator Bites Never Heal clinched the No. 9 spot on Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2024 list, highlighting her remarkable impact within the music industry. Recently, she also captivated audiences on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and in November, she held a live conversation with Brittany Howard at Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians event at the Apollo, where both artists delivered compelling performances.
Overall, Doechii’s trajectory continues to rise, and her commitment to celebrating her identity and the experiences of Black women resonates deeply, creating a hopeful narrative for the future of her career and her audience.