Doechii made it clear to everyone that women are just as crucial to the music industry as men during her Woman of the Year acceptance speech at Billboard’s Women in Music event on Saturday.
Speaking to the crowd at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, Doechii emphasized women’s essential role in an industry where men typically hold more powerful positions.
“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 highlighted how “lack of inclusion and sexism are still issues in this industry.”
Later in her speech, Doechii looked back on receiving the Billboard Rising Star award two years earlier.
“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 moving speech comes just days after she called out discrimination against the LGBTQ community while accepting a 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 pointed out how GLAAD champions “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.”
