Doechii’s record-shattering Best Rap Album win. Born in Tampa, Doechii took home the prize for her fan-favorite mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, becoming only the third female artist ever to win in a field that began in 1989. As she addressed the sea of faces, tears streaming down her face, she faltered for a beat over a little matter of history—only to regain her footing in a defiant affirmation of her place in hip-hop lore.
The Best Rap Album category was a closely contested one, with competition for a group of the biggest in the field, including Eminem, Common & Pete Rock, and Future & Metro Boomin, but Doechii’s unapologetic, boundary-pushing work took the prize, seeing her name in an illustrious book with female winners including Lauryn Hill and Cardi B.
As she took the stage to collect her prize, Doechii began, “This one, I believe, began in 1989, and two girls have won.” She almost at once retracted, then, with determination, retracted and shouted, “THREE girls have won! Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii!”
Doechii’s speech not only represented a triumph for her but a boost of hope and determination for everyone else, too. She displayed deep gratitude for her mom, whom she invited onto stage, and record label and producer. Her message testified to her journey—one of travail, dedication, and unrelenting drive towards her work.
“I stand here today in living, breathing testimony that you can,” she exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. “Anything can and will work out. Don’t let anyone foist a stereotype onto you. You are precisely who you have to be, in order to stand in your current position.”
The audience rose in a thunderous ovation, a testimony to her message and win’s value and worthiness. Fans and performers alike took to social media to congratulate her, praising Doechii’s genuity and message of hope.
Doechii’s Grammy win is not an individual success but an affirmation of a changing face of hip-hop and increased acceptance of female presence in a long-male-dominated field. Doechii’s win comes in a long shadow of a path cleared for him by Lauryn Hill and Cardi B, and it signifies a new era in which female rappers gain increased prominence and consideration in the field.
Music critics and professionals have enjoyed Alligator Bites Never Heal for its new school R&B, braggart rap, and deep introspective lyrics mix. Not only did the mixtape resonate with fanboys, but it showed Doechii’s diversity in terms of artwork, setting her apart from her counterparts.
“Doechii’s win is a breaker,” a source in the industry added. “Her album not only broke records but smashed barriers.”