Doechii is carving out her place in the music industry as she showcases her undeniable talent. On Friday, December 6, the rapper from Top Dawg Entertainment made her debut at NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
The performance was nothing short of mesmerizing, as Doechii infused her set with a powerful display of Black Girl magic, accompanied by an all-female nine-piece band featuring horns and vocalists whose braided hairstyles matched her signature look. This jazz-infused concert beautifully highlighted her creative versatility.
Throughout the performance, Doechii primarily drew from her critically acclaimed mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” The 26-year-old treated her audience to smooth renditions of tracks including “Boom Bap,” “Boiled Peanuts,” “Denial Is a River,” “Catfish,” and the crowd favorite “Nissan Altima,” culminating in a powerful performance of “Black Girl Memoir” from her 2020 release, “Oh the Places You’ll Go.”
Before concluding her set, Doechii took a moment to address the significance of her music, particularly for Black women. “I wrote this song specifically for Black women,” she stated. “As a dark-skinned woman, there’s a very unique experience I’m trying to internalize.” Her heartfelt message resonated with the audience, emphasizing the importance of representation and connection in music.
2023 has been a phenomenal year for Doechii, highlighted by the success of her mixtape, which earned a spot at No. 10 on Billboard’s Best Albums of 2024 list. Additionally, her rising star power has propelled her to No. 6 on the Hottest Female Rappers list for 2024, a remarkable leap for an artist who wasn’t even on the list earlier this year.
This performance not only marks a significant moment in Doechii’s career but also signals the emergence of a thoughtful voice in hip-hop resonating deeply with diverse experiences. As she continues to grow and inspire, there is hope for her future contributions to the music industry, particularly in uplifting and empowering women through her art.
Overall, Doechii’s Tiny Desk performance underscores her dedication and passion, making it clear that she is an artist we should all keep an eye on in the years to come.