TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — It was an electric night at the Grammys for rapper Doechii, who was a student at Blake High School not too long ago.
The 26-year-old Tampa native won her first Grammy for Best Rap Album and garnered support from both Tampa’s mayor and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She beat out some big names for the historic win with her album ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal,” including Eminem and J Cole.
Standout singles from the album include”‘Denial is a River,” and “Nissan Altima.” She becomes just the third woman to snag the award.
“This category was introduced in 1989, and two women have won. Three women have won! Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii,” she said.
Some big names in Tampa showed Doechii support over Twitter.
“Tampa in the house!” Mayor Jane Castor wrote on social media. “Incredible to see your hard work pay off and win BIG, Doechii! Tampa is cheering you on!”
The Bucs also showed Doechii some Twitter love with a “Salute to the swamp princess!”
After receiving the award, she took a moment to shoutout the place it all started for her.
“I call myself the swamp princess because I’m from Tampa, Florida,” Doechii said. “There’s so much culture in Tampa, whenever people think about Florida they think about Miami, but Tampa has so much talent. Labels go to Tampa. There’s talent there, okay!”
The new Grammy winner, who erupted on TikTok in 2021 with her viral hit “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” was overcome with emotions during her acceptance speech, pointing to her newfound sobriety as a beacon to her success.
“I went through so much,” Doechii said. “I dedicated myself to sobriety, and God told me I would be rewarded and that he would show me just how good it can get.”
The young rapper, whose real name is Jaylah Hickmon, also sharing her grammy moment on stage, hand in hand with her mother.
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