Doechii honored with Billboard Woman of the Year award
In a powerful moment that celebrates both individual success and the strength of women in the music industry, Doechii has received the 2025 Woman of the Year award at the Billboard Women in Music event. The ceremony took place on March 29, 2025, at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, marking another major milestone in the rapper’s rapidly rising career.
“It is not a button.
It is our brain.
It is not a machine.
It is our leadership.
It is not a conspiracy.
It is our vulnerability.
It is not an agenda.
It’s God.”— Doechii
Billboard Women In Music
Woman of the Year Speech pic.twitter.com/xEV5JTJck8— Andrés Tardio (@AndresWrites) March 30, 2025
From Rising Star to Woman of the Year: Doechii’s Unstoppable Rise
Just two years ago, Doechii was standing on the same stage accepting the Billboard Rising Star Award, reflecting the early stages of her meteoric rise in the music world. Fast forward to 2025, and she is now a Grammy winner and Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper. With the release of her acclaimed LP Alligator Bites Never Heal, which earned her the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, and the success of her hit single “Anxiety” reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, Doechii has proved her talent and resilience.
Her rapid ascent within the music industry is a testament to her hard work and unapologetic approach to her craft. Doechii has never been one to hold back, both in her performances and in her music. Her energy is unmatched, and her bold style has made her a standout voice in the rap game. During the ceremony, she spoke about how much her journey has meant to her, calling the Woman of the Year honor a “full-circle moment.”
A Personal Connection to the Event
While accepting the award, Doechii took a moment to reflect on her previous appearance at the event, where she was introduced by her collaborators, Jayda Love and DJ Miss Milan. “Where’s the swamp? Do I have any fans in the house?” she asked the crowd, receiving laughs and applause. She then recalled the performance where she danced so hard that her shoes fell off, recalling the energy of the night when she performed songs like Persuasive and Crazy. It was a reflection of how she approaches her career: with passion, persistence, and energy.
Celebrating Women’s Achievements in Music
As Doechii accepted her award, she took the time to thank those who helped her along the way, including her family, God, and the many women on her team. Her speech highlighted the importance of creating space for women in the music industry, noting that Billboard Women in Music exists because women have historically been left out of the conversation in an industry dominated by men.
“This event was created out of a necessity,” she said, reflecting on the reasons why the event was started nearly two decades ago. The event was born from the need to create a platform for women who were often overlooked and underrepresented in the music business. The challenges faced by women in the industry are still present today, and Doechii acknowledged that sexism and the lack of inclusion remain major issues.
Breaking Barriers: The Role of Women in Music
Women have always been at the forefront of musical innovation, but historically, they’ve often had to fight for the recognition they deserve. Doechii’s own music, including Alligator Bites Never Heal, is a clear example of how she has carved out a space for herself in the industry, providing a platform for her voice and the voices of others.
Her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal was born out of a need for space to feel seen and heard. For Doechii, creating music is about more than just entertainment—it’s about creating a space where listeners can connect with her experiences and emotions. This is why the album resonates with so many fans who see themselves reflected in her lyrics.
The Importance of Representation in Music
One of the major takeaways from Doechii’s acceptance speech was her emphasis on the importance of representation in music. She spoke about how vital it is for artists to have the freedom to express their true selves and for the industry to support that freedom. As a woman in rap, a genre often dominated by male voices, Doechii is paving the way for other women to follow in her footsteps. She’s not just an artist; she’s an advocate for other women in the industry who are pushing boundaries and striving to have their voices heard.
The work that Billboard Women in Music has done to amplify women in the music industry cannot be overstated. It’s an event that creates a space for women to come together, celebrate one another’s successes, and foster the support they need to continue breaking barriers.
The Ongoing Fight for Equality in the Industry
Despite progress, the battle for gender equality in the music industry is far from over. Even as more women take the stage and break through with groundbreaking albums and chart-topping hits, there are still significant challenges to overcome. Sexism and a lack of inclusion are ongoing problems that require continued efforts to address.
Diversity and representation in music are essential not only for fairness but also for the health and vitality of the industry itself. Music, like any other form of art, thrives on diversity of experience, perspective, and voice. By elevating the voices of women, we ensure that the industry remains dynamic, evolving, and reflective of the world we live in.
Creating a Legacy of Support and Empowerment
What sets Doechii apart is not just her music but her commitment to supporting other women in the industry. She has used her platform to shine a light on the need for solidarity and mutual support among women, particularly in an industry where competition can often overshadow collaboration. Her speech underscored the importance of unity, saying, “This is our motherf–king night to rightfully come together to acknowledge each other, support each other and to celebrate.”
It’s clear that Doechii views her success not just as a personal achievement, but as part of a larger movement to elevate women in the music business. She understands that the challenges she faces are shared by many other women in the industry, and she uses her position to advocate for them.
Her words were a reminder that the fight for gender equality in the music industry is far from over, but it’s also a call to action for women to stand together, support each other, and demand the recognition and respect they deserve.
The Future of Women in Music
As Doechii’s career continues to evolve, her impact on the music industry will only grow. With a Grammy win, a Billboard Hot 100 hit, and now the prestigious Woman of the Year honor, she’s proving that women in rap and hip hop are just as capable of reaching the top of the charts and breaking down barriers as their male counterparts.
Looking ahead, Doechii’s success serves as an inspiration to other aspiring artists, especially women, who may feel like their voices are not being heard or that they don’t belong in certain spaces. Her journey shows that persistence, confidence, and the courage to be unapologetically yourself can lead to success. And as more women continue to rise to the top, they’ll bring about the change that is long overdue in the music industry.
In the end, Doechii’s recognition as Woman of the Year is not just a celebration of her individual talent but also a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting women in music and creating spaces for them to thrive. The future of the industry depends on it.
