Doechii is known for pushing the boundaries of both her sound and style, but at her core, she remains deeply connected to Hip Hop and its foundational elements. In a recent interview with HOT 97’s Ebro Darden with Apple Music, following the release of her project Alligator Bites Never Heal, the Top Dawg Entertainment artist shared how this latest work reflects her renewed passion for the genre and how she has her eye on a future collab.
“When people listen to this project, they’re seeing me reconnect with my roots,” Doechii said. She revealed that her early experiences with rap began with boom bap beats and that her first-ever track was a diss record. This return to her origins helped reignite her love for Hip Hop, which she sees as rooted in tradition.
Now 26, Doechii, who hails from Florida, stressed the significance of staying true to Hip Hop’s core values. “I believe it’s essential to preserve the heart of Hip Hop, which is about lyrical skill, cleverness, and being genuine about our experiences,” she explained. For her, this authenticity is especially important in today’s economic climate, where music can be a vital outlet for connection and expression.
Doechii’s latest release has earned critical praise, scoring 78 out of 100 on Metacritic. Even TDE’s founder, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, compared Alligator Bites Never Heal to Kendrick Lamar’s iconic Section.80 mixtape, declaring Doechii “one of those ones” and hinting at a potential future collab.
Despite the positive reception, Doechii remains humble. On The Joe Budden Podcast, she expressed her aspiration to collab with Kendrick Lamar but acknowledged she isn’t quite ready for it yet. “I don’t think I have the record right now for that opportunity,” she said, with Budden praising her honesty.