Looks like Doechii’s taking charge of her narrative with a fierce new collab.
In an assertive move ahead of 2026, Doechii has released a bold new single titled “girl, get up.” featuring SZA. Dropped on December 31, this track marks the second collaboration between the two artists, following their earlier partnership on Doechii’s 2022 hit “Persuasive.” With this single, Doechii addresses ongoing speculation about her authenticity in the music industry, particularly the label of “industry plant,” which has been thrown around by various critics.
The term “industry plant” refers to artists who are perceived as being manufactured or overly supported by major music executives to ensure commercial success. Doechii directly challenges these claims in her lyrics, stating, “All that industry plant shit whack. Y’all can’t fathom that I worked this hard. And y’all can’t fathom that I earned this chart.” This strong declaration reflects her determination to assert her credibility and hard work in the competitive music scene.
In just over a year, Doechii has skyrocketed to mainstream recognition. Her 2024 release, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” won the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2025 and set the stage for her sold-out “Live from the Swamp Tour.” Moreover, her collaboration on Tyler, the Creator’s track “Balloon” further solidified her rising status.
This year, the artist garnered five Grammy nominations for her single “Anxiety,” including prestigious categories such as Song of the Year and Record of the Year. However, not all attention has been positive. In a social media video, Kanye West, while discussing the rap scene, questioned Doechii’s emergence, echoing claims of her being an industry plant. He wasn’t alone; reactions from video game streamers like Rani Netz and Adin Ross have fueled the narrative, suggesting that the music industry often promotes certain artists to influence public perception.
Despite the negativity, Doechii’s fans have rallied to support her. One fan remarked on her Instagram post about the new single, expressing their enthusiasm for the track. Others have pushed back against the critiques, emphasizing how white content creators shouldn’t be the ones defining a Black woman’s place in the music industry. Creator LoLo Vonz spoke out, highlighting Doechii’s long tenure in the industry, suggesting that her journey has been mischaracterized by those unaware of her history.
In response to the allegations, many fans point to Doechii’s extensive YouTube content dating back to 2015, which showcases her artistic evolution long before her recent fame. The single “girl, get up.” is now available for streaming across all major music platforms, and its accompanying music video, directed by James Mackel, is creating further buzz after his previous work on the Grammy-nominated “Anxiety.”
