Killer Mike Crowns Doechii ‘The Leader In Rap Right Now’: ‘You Truly Are An Artist’

Killer Mike, a Grammy-winning rapper and influential voice in hip-hop, has declared Doechii as “the leader in rap right now.” The praise came during a special Grammy Museum spotlight event on December 18, celebrating Doechii’s critically acclaimed album, Alligator Bites Never Heal.

The event featured an engaging conversation between Killer Mike and the Florida-born rapper, during which Mike lavished praise on her artistry and impact.

“You Truly Are an Artist”

Killer Mike didn’t hold back in acknowledging Doechii’s unique artistry. Speaking directly to her, he said:
“You truly are an artist. You’re not a rapper aspiring to be. You’ve been an artist. You choose rap to tell a story but visually, [the cover of Alligator Bites Never Heal] is striking. It is absolutely a testimony to me that the South has produced an artist like you.”

He continued: “There are many other artists out of Florida, but you are the tip of the spear right now. I think you are the leader in rap right now.”, crowning the Florida-bred artist as “the leader in rap right now.”

Grammy Recognition for Doechii

Doechii’s breakout year has been punctuated by an impressive four Grammy nominations for the 2025 awards:

• Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal.
• Best New Artist, spotlighting her meteoric rise in the music industry.
• Best Rap Performance for the hit track “Nissan Altima.”
• Best Remixed Recording for Kaytranada’s remix of her song “Alter Ego” featuring JT.

The recognition places Doechii among the most celebrated figures in rap today, further validating her artistry and influence.

Kendrick Lamar Endorses Doechii

The praise for Doechii doesn’t stop with Killer Mike. In October, none other than Kendrick Lamar crowned her the “hardest” rapper in the game. Lamar posted the artwork for Alligator Bites Never Heal on Instagram Stories, writing:
“The hardest out [alligator emoji].”

Doechii expressed her gratitude on Instagram, replying:
“Thank you Dot. You the greatest.”

Later, she reflected on the significance of receiving recognition from her peers:
“Getting your flowers while you can still smell them >>>.”

Doechii’s Reflections on Her Success

In an interview with HipHopDX, Doechii described the emotional and surreal experience of receiving her Grammy nominations:
“I’m having déjà vu — it feels like I’ve been here before. I feel like I’ve received this before. So I feel aligned.”

A New Era in Rap

With endorsements from hip-hop heavyweights like Killer Mike and Kendrick Lamar, along with Grammy recognition, Doechii is solidifying her position as a transformative artist in the genre. As Mike stated, she is more than a rapper—she is a full-fledged artist whose work pushes boundaries and sets new standards in the industry.

Alongside the artwork for Alligator Bites Never Heal, Kendrick wrote on his Instagram Stories: “the hardest out [alligator emoji].”
Unsurprisingly, Doechii was very appreciative of the lofty praise and replied via her own Instagram page: “Thank you Dot. You the greatest.”

Doechii’s rise is a testament to the evolving landscape of hip-hop, where fresh voices and bold creativity continue to reshape the genre.