With Grammy nominations and one of the year’s standout albums, TDE’s Doechii has cemented her place as one of music’s most exciting rising stars. However, her latest project, a collaboration with actress Issa Rae for Genius’ acclaimed Open Mic series, delves deeper than accolades, blending performance art with raw introspection. The partnership presents a staged therapy session that unfolds like a one-act play, featuring Doechii’s powerful lyrical delivery paired with Rae’s poised and empathetic presence.
This innovative performance, inspired by Doechii’s song “Denial Is A River,” has garnered widespread praise for its emotional depth and creative brilliance. Genius producer Andrés Tardio shared the concept’s origins on social media, revealing, “One day, while listening to Doechii’s ‘Denial Is A River,’ I had this wild idea: What if Issa Rae took on the role of Doechii’s therapist in a live version of the song? That idea is now a reality, thanks to their unmatched talent and charisma. Watching these two create magic together was incredible.”
The collaboration not only underscores Doechii’s artistic versatility but also highlights her ability to push creative boundaries. “Denial Is A River” is a standout track from her Grammy-nominated mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. The project has been supported by a nationwide tour that received critical acclaim, following her memorable debut on NPR’s Tiny Desk series.
Doechii, who signed with Top Dawg Entertainment in March 2022, joins a roster of heavyweights, including SZA, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and formerly Kendrick Lamar. In 2024, she collaborated with Tyler, The Creator, on the Chromokopia track “Balloon,” further solidifying her position as a boundary-pushing artist. Lamar himself dubbed Doechii his “favorite new artist” over the summer, and rumors suggest she could join him and SZA on their upcoming tour in support of Lamar’s GNX album.
Issa Rae, known as the Emmy-nominated creator of HBO’s Insecure, brings her trademark poise to the performance. She is also keeping busy with two new projects as a producer, according to IMDb, and her classic series Insecure was recently made available on Netflix, introducing her work to a new audience.
Doechii continues to prove why she’s one of the most compelling artists of her generation, pushing the limits of music and performance with collaborations like this one. Tardio even teased a surprise after the credits, leaving fans eager to see what’s next from the rising star.
