Azealia Banks has launched a scathing attack on Doechii, saying that her success is “giving DEI hire”.
The New York rapper and singer shared her thoughts on the rising artist and BBC Sound Of 2025 nominee in a post on X/Twitter last week (January 2). Banks was responding to a follower who had hailed Doechii as “one of the hardest rappers out there” currently.
READ MORE: Doechii – ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’ review: a candid sonic diary of struggle and resilience
“Absolutely not. Lmao. She got def jam poetry slam newyorican cafe music/TDE writing camp shit. It’s giving DEI [Diversity, equity and inclusion] hire,” she wrote. “Everybody has convinced themselves she’s good because she’s dark-skinned and if u tell the truth and admit she’s boring – ur automatically colourist or whatever.”
Banks went on to criticise Doechii’s fashion sense, saying that “she looks horrible in them outfits, the hyperpigmentation around her coochie and butt is SO CRUNCHY but she loooove showing it lmao”.
She continued, explaining that she believed that the Dallas rapper Asian Doll should be receiving the hype Doechii has been enjoying of late: “Honestly all [these] sympathy accolades she’s getting could have gone to ASIAN DOLL.
“Asian Doll is dark-skinned and gorgeous and her music is fire and Asian been hot for a MINUTE. The girls don’t wanna give her her 10’s cause they’re all jealous of her she’s fucking FAB.”
Absolutely not. Lmao. She got def jam poetry slam newyorican cafe music/TDE writing camp shit. It’s giving DEI hire. Everybody has convinced themselves she’s good because she’s dark skinned and if u tell the truth and admit she’s boring – ur automatically colorist or whatever.… https://t.co/shmZG5BIP9
— Azealia Banks (@azealiaslacewig) January 2, 2025
In a follow-up post, Banks said: “Like how did hip hop really overlook CupcakKe and Asian Doll for Ice Spice and Doechii??? Be serious yall come on. I’m definitely a hater but I’m not a liar. I’m not gonna lie to you and tell u Doechii got one song that isn’t some corny Issa Rae playlist black girl magic algorithm unexcitingness.”
Explaining that Doechii “does nothing for [her]”, Banks claimed that someone at the artist’s label Top Dawg Entertainment “sucked some dick” to land her Grammys 2025 nominations – including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album (‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’).
“No one knows any of them songs lol,” she said. “Plus I really fuck with Flo Milli too. Plenty of fabulous dark-skinned girls getting overlooked for not being ugly enough to give sympathy support.”
Later, Banks wrote: “I really wish she was fab so I could agree with you all in saying I’m a hater but ……. It’s not giving, and all the cunts in the industry agree. Lmao the gays be saying she look like a bag of rocks.”
I really wish she was fab so I could agree with you all in saying I’m a hater but ……. It’s not giving, and all the cunts in the industry agree. Lmao the gays be saying she look like a bag of rocks
— Azealia Banks (@azealiaslacewig) January 2, 2025
Last year, Banks hit out at Doechii on Instagram – where the latter had asked what her fanbase should be called (like Taylor Swift‘s ‘Swifties’ or Beyoncé‘s ‘Beehive’). “Definitely should call them ‘wannabe’s’,” Banks fired back.
Doechii then responded to the dig, commenting: “The first time you came for me I let it slide outta respect for my elders. It’s not my fault you sellin bussy soap and I’m sellin platinum records. Leave me alone PLEASE.”
Doechii claps back at Azealia Banks under a post about what she should name her fans. pic.twitter.com/nzWEsZMxAZ
— Rap Alert (@rapalert6) April 10, 2024
Last month, Doechii revealed that her “genre-bending” debut album would be released in 2025 while reflecting on how 2024 became her breakout year: “All I can think about is this album, so I’m just looking forward to making more hits, making more music and achieving more of my goals. That’s it.”
Since the release of her acclaimed ‘Alligator Bites Never Heal’ mixtape last summer, Doechii has achieved numerous career milestones, such as embarking on a sold-out tour, performing on the main stage at Camp Flog Gnaw with SZA, and collaborating with Katy Perry and Tyler, The Creator on their respective albums, ‘143’ and ‘Chromakopia’. Additionally, she appeared live on stage with Perry at the 2024 MTV VMAs.
More recently, Doechii won the praise of Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams. This followed the rapper saying that Williams’ band had “made a huge impression on me and my style”.
Elsewhere, Doechii’s track ‘Nissan Altima’ went in at Number 23 on NME‘s 50 best songs of 2024 list.
Azealia Banks threatened to sue The 1975’s Matty Healy last month after the pair came to blows over comments Banks made about the frontman’s friend and collaborator Charli XCX. During the heated exchange, Healy threatened physical violence against Banks. He subsequently deleted the post and apologised, writing: “I really let myself down.”
Banks then issued a cease & desist letter to Healy and demanded $1million (£790,000) in damages.
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