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Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece
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HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.
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February 21, 2023
Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe
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February 21, 2023
Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...
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February 20, 2023
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February 23, 2023
Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s
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February 18, 2023
Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work. Kaytranada has
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February 17, 2023
What happens when a famous music producer takes an interest in self-help books? The Creative Act is your answer. But who is Rick Rubin? Without a doubt, Rubin has an impressive track record in the
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February 14, 2023
The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close
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February 14, 2023
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February 8, 2023
Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.
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February 8, 2023
“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are
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On February 2, 2025, rapper Doechii achieved a historic milestone by winning Best Rap Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards for her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. This accolade made her only the third woman to ever receive this honor, following in the footsteps of Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. However, her rise to success was anything but overnight. Doechii’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-belief, and relentless dedication to her craft.
Just five years ago, in 2020, Doechii—born Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon—found herself at a crossroads. After being fired from her job as a student advisor at a medical college in New York City, she took a bold leap of faith. Using her unemployment benefits as a makeshift grant, she self-funded and released her debut EP, Oh, The Places You'll Go, in November 2020. The EP included the track Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, an autobiographical song that went viral on TikTok in 2021, catapulting her into the public eye.
This breakthrough moment led to her signing with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2022, making her the label’s first female rapper. Over the next few years, Doechii refined her sound, experimented with different styles, and ultimately created Alligator Bites Never Heal, a mixtape that seamlessly blended rap, R&B, and experimental hip-hop. Released in August 2024, the project showcased her dynamic flow and fearless creativity, earning her widespread critical acclaim.
When Doechii took the stage to accept her Grammy, she delivered a heartfelt speech that resonated with many. She acknowledged the rarity of women winning in the Best Rap Album category and dedicated her award to her journey toward sobriety, faith, and self-discovery. She also made sure to shout out her hometown of Tampa, Florida, urging the industry to recognize the talent emerging from the city.
Beyond the award, Doechii also delivered one of the most electrifying performances of the night, performing Catfish and Denial Is a River despite battling bronchitis and the flu. Her high-energy, acrobatic set had the crowd in awe, and when rumors surfaced about lip-syncing, she was quick to shut them down, emphasizing that the performance was 100% live.
Doechii’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring music creators everywhere. Her journey from an uncertain future in 2020 to a Grammy win in 2025 highlights the importance of resilience, self-investment, and the ability to turn setbacks into stepping stones.
Here are a few key takeaways from her story:
To celebrate her Grammy win, Doechii released a new track, Nosebleeds, produced in collaboration with Jonas Jeberg. The song serves as a reminder that success is never an endpoint but rather a stepping stone to even greater achievements.
Doechii’s story is proof that perseverance pays off. For anyone dreaming of making it in music, her journey is a shining example of what’s possible when you believe in yourself, embrace challenges, and refuse to give up.
For those who missed her Grammy-winning moment, you can watch her acceptance speech here:
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