‘Tampa has so much talent’: Blake High School grad Doechii wins Grammy for ‘Best Rap Album’

Tampa native and Howard W. Blake High School graduate Doechii won Best Rap Album at the 67th Grammy Awards last night and didn’t waste any time giving a shoutout to her hometown.

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, was full of emotion while receiving her first ever Grammy from Cardi B for her album Alligator Bites Never Heal; she expressed gratitude toward her mother, label, and fans, while also emphasizing the untapped talent in Tampa.

“There’s so many people out there who probably don’t know who I am,” said Doechii, “I call myself the Swamp Princess because I’m from Tampa, Florida! There is so much culture in Tampa. Whenever people think about Florida they only think about, like Miami, but Tampa has so much talent. Labels, go to Tampa. There is talent there.”

Ahead of the ceremonies, the “Swamp Princess” was nominated for four categories, including Best New Artist, Best Remixed Recording, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album. She celebrated those nominations last November during a visit to her alma mater.

“This category was introduced in 1989. Two women have won, Lauryn Hill —” said, Doechii cutting herself off. “Three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”

The Tampa rapper—who’ played local venues as small as The Bricks and The Ritz—has experienced an incredibly rapid rise to success, after her 2020 single “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” became the soundtrack of a popular Tik Tok trend called the “why don’t you introduce yourself to the class?” challenge. She was also featured in 2022’s XXL Freshman Class.

Chick Corea—who called Clearwater home at the time of his death—won a posthumous Best Jazz Instrumental album award, but it’s hard to think of any artist from Tampa who’s won such a significant award at the Grammys. Hardcore band Underoath was nominated in 2007, 2019, and 2024. Jazz composer Chuck Owen has been nominated five times.

“I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there that are watching me right now, and I want to tell you, you can do it. Anything is possible. Anything is possible. Don’t allow, don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you that you can’t be here that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud,” she added. “You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony.”

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This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2025.