As if being nominated for four Grammy Awards wasn’t enough, Doechii received a warm homecoming at her alma mater.
Before a very special tour in Tampa, Florida, the 26-year-old rapper stopped by Howard W. Blake High School to hold an assembly for students. In a recap posted on social media, Doechii was greeted by the school’s marching band and cheerleaders, the Yellow Jackets, and immediately danced with them.
“Wow, you all are so incredibly talented and it feels so good to be back. Thank you for welcoming me like this!” she said. “I know you all love the military, can’t say anything but good job, everyone!”
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The students cheered her as she walked across the school yard to the assembly. Dancers and singers also performed for Doechii.
“I haven’t been to Tampa in a long time and it’s really warm to be back in this movie theater,” she told the students.
The “Persuasive” rapper then opened the floor for questions. When a student asked if she ever felt like “giving up,” Doechii immediately responded, “100%. There was a point in my career where I wanted to give up. What changed was that I stayed surrounded by people who were good to me and who I was, and that I was grounded in the fact that I love music.”
She continued: “I think when you’re a real musician, the music always follows you and you can’t escape it no matter how hard you try.”
Doechii with Blake Middle School students on November 13, 2024.
Courtesy of Blake High School
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In the caption, she further reflected on her musical journey, writing, “I remember auditioning for the Chorus program with no training and no ability to read or compose music. I remember my choir teacher asking me if I came with sheet music and all I had was the instrumental of ‘At Last’ from YouTube (the Beyoncé version of course) and an auxiliary chord.”
“I was accepted into the program because of my talent and because my mentors saw the seed and planted it. When I left performing arts school, I wrote and read music. More than ready to become independent as an artist!”
For those who couldn’t hear her talk, Doechii shared some of the wisdom she imparted to students at Howard W. Blake High School: “Take advantage of the resources available to you right now (because it costs a lot of money to get trained when you’re older lol) come to class on time, practice at home while others sleep and collaborate with your peers.”
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Doechii in Tampa, Florida on November 13, 2024.
Courtesy of Blake High School
Doechii is up for four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. Her third mixtape, Alligator bites never healwas released in August, and the accompanying tour wraps up later this month in New York.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education