Rapper Doechii made history at the Grammy Awards by winning the Grammy for Best Rap Album, but it is another inspiring story that has social media buzzing.
Following her Grammy victory, a video from five years ago titled ‘I got fired thank god,” resurfaced online. In the YouTube clip from 2020, in which she candidly spoke about losing her job went viral online with fans hailing her success story.
In the video, Doechii, whose real name is Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, shared, “So I got fired today,” but remained optimistic, stating her intention to visit recording studios in search of internships and opportunities. According to reports, she went on to catch the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment president Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith Jr, who signed her as the label’s first female rapper in 2021.
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Doechii, 26, won Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal, making her only the third Black female artist to win the award after Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. She was also nominated for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance.
Social media erupted with praise, with fans celebrating her rise from adversity. “Five years ago, Doechii got fired from her job… today she is a Grammy award winner!” one user commented. Others applauded her resilience, calling her an “icon.”
Doechii also delivered a moving acceptance speech that quickly went viral. Fighting back tears, she said, “I’ve 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.” She thanked her mother, her label, and her fans, before offering a message of encouragement: “I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there watching me right now, and I want to tell you: You can do it. Anything is possible.”
