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Tampa rapper Doechii named 2025 Woman of the Year by Billboard

Doechii poses before the Chloe Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Womenswear collection presented Thursday, March 6, 2025. in Paris. The Grammy winner has earned the title of Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year.
Scott A Garfitt
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Invision via AP
Doechii poses before the Chloe Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Womenswear collection presented Thursday, March 6, 2025. in Paris. The Grammy winner has earned the title of Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year.

The award lands the Blake High School grad in the same company as Taylor Swift, SZA, Lady Gaga and Karol G. The news arrives a month after Doechii won the Grammy for best rap album.

The rising rapper Doechii has earned the title of Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year, landing her in the same company as Taylor Swift, SZA, Lady Gaga and as last year's honoree, Karol G.

The news arrives just one month after the Tampa native won the Grammy for best rap album, only the third woman to win in that category.

When it came time to give her award speech, the tears were immediate. “This category was introduced in 1989. Two women have won, Lauryn Hill —” she said, correcting herself. “Three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”

As she accepted her Grammy, the Blake High School alum bragged about her hometown's culture and musical talent.

Doechiee, 26, will be honored as Woman of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music Awards on March 29.

Previous honorees include Madonna, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande.

In 2024, The Associated Press named Doechii's breakout mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” one of the best albums of the year — a versatile album that teeters from the romance of her smooth R&B and the acuity of her flows.

"Doechii is taking pop culture by storm, this year becoming the third woman in history to win a Grammy best rap album, and dazzling fans of every musical genre with her breathtaking performances, ultra-candid lyrics and utterly unique sound, style and spirit,” Hannah Karp, editor-in-chief of Billboard, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to celebrate Doechii and cheer on her continued success.”

Other award recipients at the Billboard Women in Music Awards include aespa, Angela Aguilar, Erykah Badu, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Blackpink's Jennie, Megan Moroney, Meghan Trainor, Muni Long and Tyla.

The awards show will be held at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, hosted by Laverne Cox.

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