The world of music is ever evolving, with club classics like Charli XCX, to the pop hits from Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift, right down to the lyrical genius of current-day rappers. In this comprehensive dive into the music industry, I want to mainly focus on that last bit, our current-day rap and hip hop artists, specifically the artist Doechii. Now, Doechii might seem like a new name, but she has been featured with some of your favorite artists, such as Katy Perry, SZA, David Guetta, and JENNIE. Recently, though, Doechii has been getting her flowers, with her Album Alligator Bites Never Heal winning best rap album at the Grammys, and another for her music video for Anxiety. Mainly, I want to talk about Alligator Bites Never Heal as it’s easily one of her most recognizable works.
I had picked out a couple of songs that particularly grabbed my attention, with them varying in placement seen on the album itself.
Boiled Peanuts
The song opens with dialogue from two women, one asking the other if they want to share some boiled peanuts, with the other responding in comedic confusion. A jazzy, saxophone-like beat is layered with the lyrical work Doechii is most known for. Her innate ability to blend storytelling into music is one of the reasons she is so distinct from others. Her blend of humor with the raw, unfiltered thoughts most stray away from not only sets her apart from some modern-day artists, but also pays homage to many rappers before her, with this album drawing heavy comparison to late 80’s and 90’s rap. In Boiled Peanuts, we see this most definitely, as the slower, more drawn-out beat differs from most fast-paced modern-day music. These slow-paced beats, paired with the humorous, intense rapping creates a symphony of music.
Denial is a river
In this infamous hit, Doechii uses her storytelling abilities to the fullest potential. She incorporates a common theme in media, cheating, but is able to make it humorous as well as highlight touchy topics. The song follows her going through the after effects of uncovering her man’s secret, ultimately deciding to avoid the problem, choosing to focus on her success as an artist. We continue with the theme of a ’90s-inspired beat, focusing on splicing classic techniques with newer sounds and methods. The ending segment of Doechii doing “breathing exercises” really is the cherry on top of this amazing song, somehow being able to make these sharp breaths match the beat behind her vocals.
Alligator Bites Never Heal
Sharing the same name as the album itself, “Alligator Bites Never Heal” dives into a deeper, somber tone. With it being the last song on the album, this song shows Doechii confronting all that she has dealt with. Feeling overwhelmed and guilty, this song plays into many of the stressors all of us have to deal with: the fear of being alone, the comfort of being alone, the alienation from others, and the realization that not everything can be played off. The sound shift isn’t the only difference; the way the vocals are delivered changes as well. Many of the previous tracks provide harsh, aggressive lyrics and delivery, opting for raw emotion. However, this last track does the opposite; the delivery is quiet, hushed; the lyrics consist of repeating words, with fuller sentences being background vocals that smooth into the beat.
Overall, this album is Doechii’s way to express the conflicting feelings of success, betrayal, anger, and depression, all coming together through the use of excellent storytelling and humorous moments. A true delight to listen to.
