Tampa celebrates Doechii’s historic Grammy win and shoutout – Tampa Bay Times
Tampa’s own Swamp Princess is now a Grammy winner. Doechii, the 26-year-old local rapper born as Jaylah Hickmon, walked away with the best rap album trophy for her mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” She is the third woman to win the award since the category was created in 1989, joining Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. “Labels, go to Tampa. There’s so much talent there,” she said in her acceptance speech. Doechii’s hometown has shown her love right back. “Tampa in the house! Incredible to see your hard work pay off and win BIG, Doechii!” posted Mayor Jane Castor on X. “Tampa is cheering you on!” The Buccaneers also shared their praise on social media, saying “IN THE 813! THIS MY LEGACY! SALUTE TO THE SWAMP PRINCESS, TAMPA’S VERY OWN!” Amalie Arena, where Doechii opened for Doja Cat in 2023, shared a clip on Instagram to celebrate.A post shared by Amalie Arena (@amaliearena)Doechii, a graduate of Howard W. Blake High School‘s arts magnet program, cut her teeth rapping in Ybor City clubs and hookah bars. “My family, we’re very country Southern people. Like typical boiled peanuts, frozen cups, candy lady, pickled eggs. We went strawberry picking. I remember going to school and they would take us to Cracker Country for field trips, like that type of Florida experience,” she told the Tampa Bay Times in 2023. “I’m talking about racing with my shoes off. We would shoot BB guns and jump off of roofs.”Read more about her Tampa roots and rise here.Gabrielle Calise is a culture reporter who covers music, nostalgia and offbeat Florida trends. Reach her at gcalise@tampabay.com. The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.
