Only three women in Grammys history have taken home the award for Best Rap Album: Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and—as of tonight—Doechii. The Alligator Bites Never Heal artist was visibly emotional as she ascended the stage during tonight’s ceremony, for which she wore Thom Browne and Pandora earrings. Cardi B herself presented Doechii with the award as she brought her mother onstage with her.
“I put my heart and soul into this mixtape,” she told the audience from the stage. “I dedicated myself to sobriety, and God told me that I would be rewarded and that he would show me just how good it can get.”
Read Doechii’s full acceptance speech below:
“I don’t want to make this long. But this category was introduced in 1989, and two women have won. Lauryn Hill—three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii. I put my heart and my soul into this mixtape. I bared my life. I went through so much. I dedicated myself to sobriety, and God told me that I would be rewarded and that he would show me just how good it can get. I have to thank God.
I need to thank my beautiful mother for coaching me. I want to thank my label, my engineer, Jada, for everything she did. My fans! To the Swamp! There’s so many people out there who probably don’t know who I am. I call myself the Swamp Princess because I’m from Tampa, Florida! There’s 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’s talent there, okay?
Thank you so much to my label, TDE. To everybody that helped put this together, all the producers on the project, I thank you. Thank you to hip-hop.
The last thing I want to say...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 anybody to project any stereotypes on you, to 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. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony right now. Good night!”
