Doechii, whose real name is Jaylah Hickmon, has become a rising star in the music world after winning a Grammy Award and performing at major festivals like Glastonbury. The rapper, hailing from Tampa, Florida, began her music career in 2016 with her song Girls on SoundCloud, eventually rising to global fame.
Despite her success, fans are just now learning the deeply personal reason behind her stage name. In a candid interview with Dazed, Doechii opened up about the bullying she faced as a child, which sent her into a dark place. It was during this time that she created her rap persona to regain her power and confidence.
“I was bullied so bad that I was becoming somebody else for someone else’s comfort,” she shared. “It fed up my head, because I always knew I was ‘that girl.’ I always knew I was dope as f.” She revealed how the bullying led her to contemplate suicide, but a pivotal moment made her rethink that decision: “I realized, ‘OK, what do I really think is important? What do I want here?’ That birthed Doechii.”
Doechii’s career has flourished since then, and her recent Grammy win for Best Rap Album in 2025 solidifies her place in music history. She became only the third woman ever to win this award, following Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. During her acceptance speech, Doechii honored the women who came before her, saying, “This category was introduced in 1989 and only two women have won – Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii!”
She also shared an inspiring message for Black women: “I know there’s some Black girl – so many Black women – watching me right now. And I want to tell you, you can do it… Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you.”
