How Doechii Transforms The Meaning of “Bitch” in Her New EP

You might have heard her unique voice trending on TikTok or seen her wild and artistic fashion choices on the red carpet, but the studio is where Doechii shines. In her music, she goes by many names: Swamp Princess, The Don Diva, Doechii with two IIs, and most recently addressing herself (and other alter egos) as a “Black Bitch”. In her most recent EP, She/ Her/Black Bitch, Doechii makes the genius decision to turn disdain into an accolade, knighting herself with this brash label to embrace her Blackness. On each track, she demonstrates how versatile her skills are, switching from slow jams to flashy bars. In doing so, she transforms the meaning of “bitch” and paints a vibrant story of her time in the music industry as a Black woman.

Swamp. This is the start of Doechii’s story, patting herself on the back for not only making it out of the muddy, murky, conditions of the “Swamp,” but also owning it and rubbing it in her opps’s faces.

BY IMMANUELLA GABRIEL

Making quite the entrance, “Swamp Bitches” demonstrates Doechii’s growth as an artist, finding her own style through her roots and musical inspirations. Throughout the track, her inspirations are self-evident, reloading Nicki Minaj’s iconic Roman persona and being as unapologetic and profane as Azealia Banks. Thus, Doechii transforms herself into the “Don Diva”. Using vulgar imagery, she says eyebrow-raising lyrics like “I piss fifties and leave the seat up” as well as acknowledging her beginnings as “Doechii Bottom Feeder.” She’s rich and famous now, and she’s proud to flaunt it! So proud that she makes a song for all her haters, to kiss her ass and watch her revel in her self-proclaimed kingdom: The

Whatever you may call them - the envious, the lames, the nobodies, the haters Doechii refers to them simply as “bitches.” The lames get shouted out over 18 times on this track with Rico Nasty joining in on Doechii’s brutal honesty, and man does it hurt. Doechii and Rico take turns throwing punches at these bitches, saying things like “n*ggas smoke dick, cause Doechii too blunt” and “I wish death to all you bitches.” It was already brilliant to collaborate with the Black punk queen herself, but to use “bitch” in a way that was most likely used towards her when she was at her low was even more genius. Keeping the same energy now that she’s at an all-time high, “Swamp Bitches” is for the low down, dirty bitches that would probably pine for Doechii’s attention now.

“Bitch I’m Nice” is the second track of Doechii’s EP and the scene is set. Thanks to the visualizer, this song takes place on Doechii’s road to stardom, showcasing her sold-out performances and pop-star lifestyle. She makes outfit changes, gets all dolled up, and rolls out on stage to spit vile words at welcoming audiences. This is a classic hype song to assert herself as “that bitch.” If it’s not already evident in the visuals, then it definitely is in the lyrics - this might be the most technical track on the EP despite it being one of the shortest. In just a little over a minute, the diva flexes her impeccable ability to switch flows, utilize her breath control skills, and of course, deliver clever bars. Let’s be clear though: this is nothing to her. She even says it herself: “No sweat, I’m the heavyweight champ,” solidifying her mastery.

If any of the bitches from the previous track were still doubting her, they definitely aren’t now. In this song, she specifically uses “bitch” in a demeaning and condescending way, specifically targeting people that think they’re the shit. No longer are these people losers or lames, but now they’re her rivals. Like a true southern woman calling her frenemy “hun,” Doechii calls her possible equals “bitches.” There can only be one and according to her, “when the bitch send shots, I whip it and I’ma duck it.”

In the third track and climax of this story “Bitches Be,” Doechii takes a bit of a turn. With the reality of fame rearing its ugly head, she starts to feel low. Despite constantly being surrounded by people, Doechii dives into the dangers of her psyche, overthinking and dosing herself with the pleasures of this rockstar world to cope. Repeating tragic lines like “Fading (slow), faded (slow), I’m drinking (slow), Oh, I’ve been thinking (slow),” she internalizes her detachment with her environment and stifles a cry for help. Here we see Doechii more vulnerable with herself, making “Bitches Be” a sad diary entry.

The bitches Doechii refers to in this track, however, are not limited to others she turns inward and includes herself. This is the first time she feels like she has become one of the people she worked so hard not to be. In this all-time low, she is everyone but still no one, stating “all of these bitches be me.” It’s completely contradictory, and yet, it speaks thousands of words: the diva has surpassed the lows of bottom feeder and has simply sunk, like a fallen angel. She’s gotten so wound up in the glory of it all but is convinced it’s fine and is just “taking it slow.” Towards the end of the song, however, we see her self-identify with her toxic surroundings, and take accountability. She acknowledges the constant dishonesty around her and decides to be better, saying “Bitches be talking, ain’t got nothing in common.” At the bitter end, we see her separate herself from her environment and walk away from a destructive path.

The more upbeat “This Bitch Matters,’’ however, highlights the fallout of Doechii’s fall from grace and her choice to rehabilitate herself. Instead of being brutally honest towards her haters, she’s brutally honest with herself. She tries to extend herself grace and ask for help, speaking in third person when referring to herself as “this bitch.” This grace is seen in the chorus as Doechii says, “This bitch needs more loving, needs more hugging…this bitch cold, but this bitch matters.” It is in this falling action that we see Doechii resonate the most with her identity: freeing herself from the expectations of being a Super Black Woman, she is vulnerable and vocal about her issues. She relies on other Black women to guide her through her aimlessness, and while it remains a daunting, independent journey, she prefers it over a purposeless one as outlined in “Bitches Be.” This is a love letter to herself and her situation, no matter how hard it may be.

In the final part of this story, we go back to where we began: on a high. Doechii’s last song “Persuasive” with SZA, is an epic tale of a much needed girls night out, a form of recovery from the last two tracks. This collab oozes femininity and flirtation, and is sealed with a kiss with a (not so hidden) analogy: weed. As seen in “Swamp Bitches,” Doechii compares herself to smoking a blunt, something n so n uncomfortable and scorching. This time around, however, we see this comparison in a more positive light as she emphasizes the intimacy and sexiness of Mary Jane. She says, “she’s so persuasive, that marijuana, she’s so flirtatious,” appreciating the feeling of ecstasy she gets from smoking and having an unforgettable night. Purposefully, Doechii only uses the word “bitch” three times as she’s surpassed the need for it: she’s at an all time high (literally), living her life, and enjoying it. How does it feel to be that bitch? At this point, ask Doechii.

BY MADI KOESLER

BY WALTER NELSON