Doechii is joining Kendrick Lamar in defending Hip Hop against critics who question its status as a legitimate and intellectual art form. In a recent interview with The Cut, the Grammy Award-winner passionately argued that the idea of Hip Hop not being intellectual is rooted in racism. She reflected on her deep connection to the genre, citing her love for old-school Hip Hop and the vulnerability it embodies.
“I’m gravitating towards the pure skill that was incorporated,” Doechii said. She also spoke about how Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill shaped her musical journey, expressing that the feeling she gets from the album is something she wants to inspire in others, especially young Black girls. “I have to talk about my feelings” to achieve that, she explained.
Doechii’s comments mirror those of Kendrick Lamar, who also emphasized Hip Hop’s artistic depth in a pre-Super Bowl interview. Lamar, fresh off his 2025 Grammy wins, praised the genre’s impact, saying, “This is a true artform.” Both artists are pushing back against the misconception that rap is anything less than intellectual, solidifying its place in the cultural and artistic landscape.
