As a proud Floridian and a dedicated fan of Doechii, I can confidently say that 2024 has been the year of the Swamp Princess! From her explosive entrance onto the scene with “Alter Ego” to her critically acclaimed album “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” it’s safe to say that Jaylah Hickman has left an unforgettable mark on hip-hop.
2023 was undeniably a remarkable year for Doechii, wrapping up as the opening act for Doja Cat’s The Scarlett Tour. At the start of 2024, she took a brief break under the radar as Top Dawg Entertainment’s self-styled Swamp Princess, Jaylah Hickman. In March, she offered a sneak peek into her talents with “Alter Ego,” collaborating with JT, and since then, has been releasing a string of singles derived from her “Swamp Sessions.” This prolific series has given birth to tracks such as “NISSAN ALTIMA,” “BULLFROG,” “CATFISH” and “SUNDAY’S BEST.
In August, she definitively marked her influence on the year by releasing her third studio mixtape and first major label album titled “Alligator Bites Never Heal“. This work pays tribute to Florida, helping her solidify her unique “editorial rap” genre. During an interview with TopMob earlier this year, she defined this self-coined hip-hop subgenre as a blend of “house music, anger, and rap… It’s similar to high-fashion rap.
Stepping onto the stage for my first-ever headlining tour, I could feel the rhythm coursing through me, knowing that this album was making waves in the cultural landscape. With heavyweight endorsements from legends like Kendrick Lamar, I took each city by storm, performing in iconic U.S. hotspots such as New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Oakland, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Tampa, along with captivating audiences overseas in Paris, Berlin, London, and Amsterdam.
This year, amid the bustle of various performances, the Grammy nominations were announced, featuring TDE’s rising star earning nominations in several categories. These include Best Rap Album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal“, Best Rap Performance for “NISSAN ALTIMA”, and Best New Artist.
High Fashion
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Guest Stars
During her tour, unlike many others that rely heavily on surprise guests, Doechii chose to perform alone. The rapper didn’t invite any special guests throughout the entire tour, except for Chana Hughes at her Los Angeles El Rey show and more recently, SZA during her set at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival. Instead, the audience was filled with stars such as Jhené Aiko, actor Damson Idris, Telfar Clemens, Jonte Moaning, and Honey Balenciaga, who didn’t join her on stage.
Opening Acts
The Swamp Princess chose to highlight local DJs by organizing a competition where they could vie for the opening act position at each performance. This not only gave her a fresh lineup for every show, but also served as a platform to promote local talent and up-and-coming artists, with names like Annabelle Klein from New York City making a notable impression.
The Swampy Set
One way of paraphrasing this passage could be: Throughout the year, Doechii has made it a point to bring the vibrant energy of her hometown to every stage she performs on. As she put it, “Florida is one of the best places I’ve ever been – it’s chaotic but so much fun!” She carries her roots with her wherever she goes and, truthfully, not many people have ventured to where she’s from in the Everglades. Few know about the culture down there, but it’s a truly unique place – the land, the environment, the people, all contribute to an extraordinary experience that she wants her audience to feel. This mindset was reflected in every show’s decor, which was adorned with lush greenery and hanging vines.
The Album Itself
Let’s not forget why we’re here: the album itself. Alligator Bites Never Heal is an exemplary ode to Doechii’s home state, deeply immersing listeners into the depths of the state’s swampland via slick production and some of the sharpest wordplay we’ve seen all year.
Needless to say, we’re thankful for The Swamp Princess.
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2024-11-30 02:56