Hayley Williams reacts to Doechii praising Paramore: “She better win every Grammy”

Hayley Williams has reacted to Doechii citing Paramore as an influence on her work, saying she wants the singer to win “every Grammy”.

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

Earlier this week, the ‘Denial Is A River’ rapper opened up about the impact that the pop-punk band have had on her as an artist, pointing to her days as an art-school teenager.

“Paramore was my first introduction to rock music,” Doechii said in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald. “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.”

Now, Williams has returned the compliment, replying to Doechii’s comments on an Instagram Stories update on her social media.

Over a freezeframe of the rapper’s quotes, Williams wrote: “This is my laaaadyyyyy. Don’t ever hurt her. We go all the way back even tho we only ever met one time. She better win every Grammy too.”

Back in 2020, Doechii sampled Paramore’s 2010 single ‘The Only Exception’ in her viral TikTok hit 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)”. 

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’ was named as one of 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.