Doechii Sobs During Inspiring Grammy Speech

Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, better known by her stage name Doechii, is a 27-year-old American rapper and songwriter.

As a rising hip-hop artist, Doechii won the Best Rap Album award at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 2nd.

She became well-known on TikTok after her song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” went viral in 2021, and in a joint venture with Capitol Records, she signed with Top Dawg Entertainment.

The emcee from Tampa, Florida, was the third woman to win the award in the show’s history, after Lauryn Hill (1997) and Cardi B (2019).

“I put my heart and my soul into this mixtape,” Doechii said with tears in her eyes as Cardi B herself gave her the award for Best Rap Album, “Alligator Bites Never Heal.”

“I revealed my life. I endured a lot. I committed myself to sobriety, and God promised to repay me and demonstrate to me how wonderful sobriety may be,” she added.

Doechii’s speech continued as she made the most of her opportunity to encourage others, particularly Black women.

“I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there are watching me right now, and I want to tell you: You can do it. Anything is possible. Anything is possible,” she said.

Other Big Wins For Rising Talents

Major firsts were among the many significant aspects of the 2025 Grammy Awards, with a total of 18 artists, including rising stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, and Chapelle Roan.

Sabrina Carpenter’s true Cinderella moment came when her 2024 breakthrough album, Short n’ Sweet, won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Technically, she was already a Grammy winner going into Sunday night’s telecast because her song “Espresso” had already won the golden gramophone for Best Pop Solo Performance.

Just minutes after captivating the crowd with a performance of songs “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” that was full of slapstick humor and showgirl slickness, Carpenter was called for her award.

“I’m still out of breath from the performance!” Carpenter joked as she went back on stage to collect her Grammy.

With nominations for Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Pop Solo Performance following her successful 2023 debut, no newcomer has had a breakout year like Chappell Roan.

The Midwest Princess used her moment in the spotlight to fulfill a self-promise she made when Victoria Monét, the BNA champion from the previous year, declared Roan the winner.