Genre: Rap / Pop/R&B Label: Top Dawg Entertainment / Capitol
Doechii’s, stage name for Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon Alligator Bites Never Heal is more than just an album- it’s a statement of fearlessness, authenticity, and resilience in the face of adversity. With a voice that cuts through the noise and beats that refuse to be confined to one genre, the album pushed the boundaries of what hip-hop and R&B can be, making it a pivotal moment in her career.
The mixtape features a variety of producers such as Camper, Childish Major, Kal Banx, Devin Malik, and Monte Booker. Each producer brings their own unique style to the album which makes it very cohesive. There is only one feature and it is from Atlanta rapper Kuntfetish.
Doechii hails from Tampa and she clarifies in her songs about her background and struggles. Boiled Peanuts brings an introspective exploration all while she is rapping over a light-hearted and fun beat, “I’m a dying sunflower, leaving my trail of seeds” is what sells Doechii’s personality. Denial Is A River and Bloom are also in this theme of self-discovery. “Found a place to bloom, I feel beautiful” is an affirmation that Doechi recites in Bloom and something that listeners should say to themselves in the future, Denial Is A River features a “voice” that narrates Doechii’s unhealthy lifestyle and mental health struggles diving deeper into her self-reflection and growth. Diechii confronts her flaws and learns how to shed past versions of herself. Wait is more of an R&B-style song and Doechi has a pleasant singing voice. It is an emotional moment of stillness, a plea to stop rushing and to embrace the beauty of the present, “Eat what’s on your plate” is what Doechii suggests. These songs create a string narrative of reinvention, sort of how Doechii is reinventing the hip-hop/rap genre.
Some songs on the album are less vulnerable regarding her fame journey and focus more on bragging about her success. Bullfrog and Catfish flex her fame with confidence and swagger. She was even bold enough to say this on Catfish, “I showed the b—h my pen and I schooled her”. Skipp, Hide N’ Seek, and Profit serve as her declaration of her success. There is one bar on Profit that especially stood out, “Flowin' on the beat, my engineer gon' mute the talkback. Black bitches always bendin' backward on a soft mat. Doin acrobatics, fallin' face first, ass down, I was playin' father figure, now I'm makin' six now”. This perfectly illustrates how much harder Black artist has to work to even get half the credit and success as their white counterparts. However, success is a success no matter what, and Doechii highlights that is how every Black artist should use their platform.
With fame comes criticism, but Doechii took that criticism and reclaimed it on Boom Bap. The track’s bold, confident energy serves as a rebuttal to those who questioned her versatility, showing that she’s not only capable of mastering multiple genres but of doing so with undeniable flair. The line between rap, R&B, and experimental sounds is blurred in this track, establishing Doechii as an artist who refuses to be boxed in. It’s aggressive but it fits the message that Doechi is not the one to be overlooked.
Her playful energy shines through in Nissan Altima, where she shows off her fast rapping skills, and GTFO with Kuntfestish as she brushes off haters and challenges anyone who doubts her. HUH has a similar brashness, letting Doechii fully step into her irreverence and style.
“ I'd swallow my pride before I choke on my greed Show you my cards before I'd gamble my seat, uh”. Doechii flips the coin on fame and spotlights its dark side. Stanka Pooh and Death Roll, Doechii lays bare the darker side of fame, painting a picture of the intense scrutiny and inner conflict that come with being thrust into the public eye. The anxiety and pressure she faces are palpable, as she confronts the complexities of being in a space where trust is scarce and every move is analyzed.
Love is central in Slide and Fireflies. Doechii is openly bisexual, so her perspective on love includes both genders, which adds depth to her experiences. Doechii reflects on both the euphoric and complicated nature of romance. Meanwhile, Alligator Bites Never Heal, captures the struggle of falling out of love, where she wrestles with scars from lost love. Beverly Hills echoes the bittersweet end to a relationship, where disillusionment sets in as reality fails to meet expectations. Alligator Bites Never Heal is a masterclass in raw, honest artistry and she ends the album with one question, “Won’t you dance with me?”
The Metacritic score for this alum is 79% and I would bump that up to 83%. If you would like to follow my playlist for all my favorite songs from the albums I reviewed, click here.
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