Before this year’s Grammy Awards, Doechii was already a rising force in hip-hop. But with her win for Best Rap Album, she has cemented herself as one of the genre’s most fearless and innovative voices. Now, the Florida-born rapper graces the cover of The Cut’s February issue, reflecting on her journey, her signature audacity, and why she refuses to compromise her artistry—even as industry pressures mount.
Doechii, whose real name is Jaylah Hickmon, became only the third woman in history to win Best Rap Album, joining the ranks of Cardi B and Lauryn Hill. In a conversation with The Cut writer Danya Issawi, she recalled how her boldness as a child shaped her music. Referencing her 2020 single “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake,” Doechii compared herself to Junie B. Jones, the rebellious protagonist of Barbara Park’s children’s books. “She did what she wanted,” Doechii said. “She was curious, and she just went for it.”
That same fearless approach defines her work today. Songs like “NISSAN ALTIMA” and “DENIAL IS A RIVER” showcase her raw honesty, a trait she insists on preserving despite pressure from labels to craft more commercial sounds. “I don’t like making music just for a moment,” she told The Cut. “I like to make music for therapy, for an inner experience, an inner purpose, and not just for an algorithm.”
For her Cut cover shoot, Doechii embodied that same confidence, wearing a silk leotard with dramatic pouf wings designed by Miss Claire Sullivan. Styled with a silk wig cap, Christian Louboutin Kate Clawmax pumps, and Area plate drop earrings, her look was as bold as her music. She also donned a sharply tailored MISS CLAIRE SULLIVAN Draped Tux Jacket and Corset Trousers, blending elegance with edge.
Despite moments of doubt about how much of herself to reveal in her music, Doechii remains steadfast in her commitment to authenticity. “I don’t give a f*** because I know that in the end, it’s going to pay off more for me to be real,” she said. With a Grammy in hand and an unwavering vision, Doechii is proving that staying true to herself is the most powerful statement she can make.
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