The 26-year-old rapper and singer Doechii from Tampa Florida has taken the rap scene by storm with her new mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal.
A large quantity of music was released in 2024, which led to many of those projects falling into the mix for me, but that is unequivocally untrue for this mixtape. The production, lyrics, visuals, vocals, and concepts were on point. Every aspect of this project is dialed up to 100%, making it one of my favorite music releases of all time.
The overarching concept for the mixtape surrounds all of the hardships that Doechii has experienced in the past few years, especially this most recent year – comparing it to an alligator’s death roll. “This past year I’ve grappled with what felt like a relentless death roll in my life.”
This idea is fully brought to life in the fourth track “DENIAL IS A RIVER” which has quickly become a fan favorite of the mixtape. It feels as though Doechii is filling in an old friend on all the most impactful events that have occurred over the past couple of years with the song’s conversational tone. Relationship issues, career growth, substance abuse, and mental health being discussed in a witty and comical way allows the listener to understand her as an artist.
Other songs such as “BOILED PEANUTS”, “WAIT”, “NISSAN ALTIMA”, and “GTFO” are all fun in their own right and have amazing flows. Doechii can also go in a more sing-song route with songs such as “BLOOM”, ‘BEVERLY HILLS” and “ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL”, showing off her wide range.
Doechii recently performing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, being featured on the song “Balloon” on Tyler, The Creator’s album CHROMAKOPIA, and putting out stunning music videos has greatly widened her audience.
Particularly her most recent music video for “DENIAL IS A RIVER” was amazing. Inspired by 90’s sitcoms, Doechii walks you through the song with enticing visuals and exciting storytelling.
That is what makes Doechii stand out so much. Her creativity, concepts, storytelling, and honesty are appealing and allow the music to really connect with people’s own experiences. It’s a passion that seeps into everything she creates.
She had been recording YouTube videos for more than 6 years where she gave life updates and told stories before shifting her focus on producing music. One video titled I got fired thank God stood out to me, where this decision to chase music is apparent. In this 1:20-long video, she lays out her thoughts on being fired from her job and then ends with telling her audience that she will focus on music and tell them how it goes. With 18 million monthly listeners on Spotify, it’s clear that it went well.
Deochii’s work is inspiring, confident, creative, witty, intellectual, spiritual, and it is art. I strongly encourage you to explore her newest mixtape and past work because it truly is on a different level.
