Doechii Shines on ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’

Doechii – known for her fierce and fearless lyricism and her ability to adapt – has become Top Dawg Entertainment’s first female rapper following Kendrick Lamar’s departure from the label. Her signing came shortly after that of young Long Beach rapper Ray Vaughn, yet she rapidly gained a broader audience with viral hits like “What It Is (Block Boy)” and “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake.” The former is a sultry nod to early 2000s R&B featuring a sample of TLC’s “No Scrubs,” while the latter blends high-energy school-yard bars with dreamy 90s hip-hop vibes. Performing as an opening act for SZA and Doja Cat, Doechii turned these opportunities into major moments, crushing Coachella, and garnering admiration from prominent women in Black music such as Janelle Monae and JT of City Girls. With SZA currently as the leading artist on TDE’s roster, there’s speculation about whether she and Doechii will shape the future of the label’s prestige.

With her full-length debut album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, Doechii establishes herself not just as a successor to TDE’s legacy but as an artist fully realized. The album is a testament to her immense technical and curatorial skill, justifying its 19-track length. She effortlessly navigates through gritty boom-bap, sensual electronic, dance music, Miami jook, and earnest soul, armed with a sharp pen and captivating charisma. Her vocal tics and beat selections bear a resemblance to Lamar’s style, such as in the track “Skipp,” which echoes the vibes of Untitled Unmastered. Yet, her music also reflects influences from A Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliott, and Nicki Minaj, all while showcasing her unique originality.

Doechii’s standout track, “Denial is a River,” gives a brilliant performance as she takes on dual roles of herself and a metaphorical therapist. In this track, she discusses her struggles with depression, failed relationships, and a pesky drug habit picked up in Hollywood, before transitioning into “Catfish,” a track declaring why she deserves her place in the industry. Despite her often brash and reckless demeanor, the mixtape’s core reveals her gentle heart, fears, vices, and dreams as she evolves into the artist she always aspired to be.

In Alligator Bites, she addresses any doubts about her rap credibility with hardcore spitting on beats reminiscent of hip-hop’s Golden Era. On the ironic single “Boom Bap,” featuring retro scratching by her DJ Miss Milan, Doechii jests that her ability to master this style is not what defines her worth. The song features fart noises and playful scatting, while she proudly declares, “Get Top on the phone/ Tell him it’s all rap nigga.” This serves as a bold nod to Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered while asserting her multidimensional talent.

Throughout Alligator Bites, Doechii confronts the expectations placed upon her by the label as a central source of tension. She expresses frustration about being pushed towards creating TikTok-friendly music, while also showing respect for TDE co-president Moosa Tiffith, who signed her. In the track “Profit,” she reveals a conversation with Tiffith where he reassures her, saying, “I just wanna tell you that I’m proud of you… go be the icon that you are.” This recalls the historically productive yet strained relationship between SZA and her manager Terrance “Punch” Henderson, resulting in remarkable music. For Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal stands out as one of the year’s best albums, capturing the essence of her artistic journey and potential for future impact.

Source: Rolling Stone