Doechii says Paramore “made a huge impression on me and my style”

Doechii has revealed how Paramore impacted her life, sharing that the band had “made a huge impression” on her and her style.

• READ MORE: Doechii – ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’ review: a candid sonic diary of struggle and resilience

In a new interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the avant-garde rapper opened up about the influence Hayley Williams and co had on her while growing up an how the frontwoman served as an inspiration to her as an art-school teenager.

“Paramore was my first introduction to rock music,” Doechii said. “I know that rock music is popular but where I grew up in the South, in my culture and my radius, it wasn’t so popular. But she kind of changed my life and my perspective, and I learned about different types of music through Paramore. It made a huge impression on me and my style.”

Back in 2020, Doechii sampled Paramore’s 2010 single ‘The Only Exception’ in her track ‘Yucky Blucky Fruitcake’ – with the musician rapping “Singing karaoke while my mom was at the store (you are) / Scared that she would walk in on me singing Paramore (the only exception)”. The song would go on to become viral on the TikTok app.

Doechii’s latest release was her 2024 Mixtape ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal‘. The mixtape was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 67th Grammy Awards which is set to take place on February 2 2025 at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, California. The mixtape’s lead single ‘Nissan Altima’ also earned her a nomination for Best Rap Performance and she herself earned a nomination as Best New Artist.

In a four-star review of ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’, NME shared: “At first, Doechii gets into the nitty gritty on this release, but – by the end – she finds solace and strength, making the mixtape feel more like a sonic diary of her emotional journey. It’ll take time to see if it becomes a standout in her discography, but this boldly brazen record definitely makes a statement.”

In other news, ‘Nissan Altima’ also landed the 23 spot on NME‘s 50 Best Songs Of 2024 list, with writer Seth Pereira sharing: “From the first second on, ‘Nissan Altima’ is a white-knuckled ride of braggadocious brilliance from Top Dawg Entertainment’s heir to the throne. Childish Major’s minimalist production is a perfect playground for Doechii to showcase why she’s undeniably top of the class in 2024.”

Elsewhere, Doechii was one of the acts that was featured on BBC Radio 1’s longlist for their Sound Of 2025 artists alongside the likes of Mk.gee, Chappell Roan, Kneecap and more.