Killer Mike has expressed his admiration for Doechii, the talented Florida artist, dubbing her as “the leader in rap right now.” This accolade came during a special event hosted by the Grammy Museum on December 18, where Doechii’s album Alligator Bites Never Heal was recognized as a nominee for Best Rap Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
During the event, Killer Mike engaged in a conversation with Doechii in front of an audience, ensuring to shower her with praise. “You truly are an artist. You’re not just a rapper aspiring to be,” he remarked. “You’ve always been an artist. You use rap to tell your story, and the cover of Alligator Bites Never Heal is visually striking. It serves as a powerful testament to the talent emerging from the South.”
Killer Mike emphasized Doechii’s unique position in the industry, stating, “There are many other artists from Florida, but you are at the forefront. I believe you are leading the rap scene right now.”
In addition to her nomination for Best Rap Album, Doechii has also been recognized in the categories of Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance for her track “Nissan Altima,” and Best Remixed Recording for Kaytranada’s remix of her collaboration with JT, “Alter Ego.”
In an interview with HipHopDX’s Jeremy Hecht last month, Doechii reflected on her nominations, saying it felt “incredible,” yet there was an underlying sense of familiarity. “I’m having déjà vu — it feels like I’ve been here before,” she shared. “I feel aligned.”
Her recent accolades are a validation of the early support she received from Kendrick Lamar, who praised her as the “hardest” rapper in the game during a rare social media post back in October. Accompanying the artwork for Alligator Bites Never Heal, Kendrick shared on his Instagram Stories, “the hardest out [alligator emoji].”
Doechii expressed her gratitude for Kendrick’s praise on her own Instagram, responding, “Thank you Dot. You the greatest.” She further added, “Getting your flowers while you can still smell them >>>.”
Stay tuned for more updates on Doechii and other hip-hop news at hiphopraisedmetheblog.com.
