Doechii Says Women Are Essential to Music Industry: 'We Are the Innovators'

Doechii let the world know that women are as essential to the music industry as men during her acceptance speech for 2025's Woman of the Year at Billboard’s Women in Music event on Saturday.

Doechii told the audience at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, how important women are in an industry that so often has men in higher seats of power.

“We are the creatives, we are the executives, and we are the innovators who are just as central to this industry as the men—clock it,” she said. “And I want everyone to hear me clearly when I say it is not a button, it is our brain. It is not a machine, it is our leadership. It is not a conspiracy, it’s our vulnerability. It is not an agenda, it’s God.”

The rapper also discussed how “lack of inclusion and sexism are still issues in this industry.”

Elsewhere in her speech, Doechii reflected on accepting the award for Billboard Rising Star two years ago.

“I cannot believe it was just two years ago I stood on this stage right here and accepted the Billboard Rising Star Award,” she said. “I had literally performed so hard I danced my shoes off and had to hop up to the mic.”

Doechii’s powerful speech comes just days after she spoke out against discrimination toward the LGBTQ community while accepting the GLAAD Media Award. 

"I am thrilled at being recognized with such a prestigious award by GLAAD and to be joining prior honorees such as Renee [Rapp], Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Sam Smith and Janelle Monáe," she said.

Doechii then highlighted how GLAAD promotes “acceptance, inclusiveness, and empowerment."

"Those are the same things I strongly believe in and advocate for and that continue to propel me forward, especially now that hard-won cultural change and rights for transgender people and the LGBTQ community have been threatened," she said. "And I am disgusted. Disgusted. But I want to say that we are here and we are not going anywhere."