Doechii the Don.
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Alligator bites never heal, but they do win awards. Doechii made history at the 2025 Grammys by winning Best Rap Album for her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal. After bursting into tears and bringing her mom onstage, the artist born as Jaylah Hickmon pointed out that only two women have won this category since it was introduced in 1989. “Three women have won,” she quickly corrected herself, to audience applause. “Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii.” This year’s other nominees were J. Cole’s Might Delete Later, Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), Future and Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You, and Common and Pete Rock’s The Auditorium, Vol. 1.
In her acceptance speech, Doechii thanked God, her “beautiful mother,” her label, her engineer, her producers, her swamp of fans, and hip-hop as a whole. She also took a moment to introduce herself to the class (or, in this case, the Grammy viewers). “There’s so many people out there who probably don’t know who I am,” she said. “I call myself the Swamp Princess ’cause I’m from Tampa, Florida!” Calling for labels to go explore Tampa talent, Doechii concluded her speech by sending a message of encouragement to Black women who were watching. “Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes onto you that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark, or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic, or you’re too loud,” Doechii finished. “You are exactly who you need to be, to be right where you are. And I am a testimony!”
