As if emerging from the murky depths of a bog, rapper Doechii’s piercing eyes, flowing tresses, and meticulously coiffed eyebrows feel, appropriately, out of this world.

Weaving the essence of her swampy Florida roots into her public persona, the artist’s smash-hit singles (including the playful and witty “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake’’ and infectious “What It Is”) have catapulted her from lyrical master on the rise, into a new role as the musical doyenne of the swamp. Subsequent touring (with Doja Cat, among others) and noteworthy performances at Coachella, the Billboard Music Awards, plus a pride run slated for this summer, have only served to further her marshy mythology. “It’s about pushing narratives and telling stories,” she tells V. The most recent example of her signature genre-blending, energizing sound is also a collaboration with rapper and close confidant JT, called “Alter Ego.” The club-primed track is a testament to her ability to merge delightful contrast and originality. JT injects the track with raucous, celebratory thrill.

V MAGAZINE: I heard you had a great night out with JT and V Magazine. Tell us about it!

DOECHII: It was a fun, spontaneous night. We went to a gay club first. Somebody was straddling down from the ceiling—that was crazy. We had some bottles, they played “Alter Ego.” Then we went to karaoke, and finally to the spot where JT was. She’s a superstar. We ran “Alter Ego” back like three times! The girls were outside, the gays were outside, and everyone was having so much fun.

V: Your look was incredible. How does fashion contribute to your identity as a performer?

D: I’m a theater kid! I love to wear costumes, [which] are used to tell stories. A lot of what I do when I’m getting dressed for performances is building characters for my music, and it’s more than just putting on an outfit.

V: Outside of music, what goals drive you forward?

D: I have this desire in my heart… I want to get into cosmetics and makeup, but not regular makeup. I want to get into special effects makeup and build a company that caters to that. It’s a super limited space, so I’d love to come out with a brand that is accessible to the average person, and allows people to experiment and afford special effects makeup in a day-to-day way.

V: As a self-crowned “Swamp Princess”—could you tell us about the swamp aesthetic?

D: When you grow up in Florida, you make it part of your personal- ity. I also think that in the fashion world, I haven’t seen the swamp “aesthetic” embraced or integrated yet, so I thought it was a unique opportunity to build a world in the swamp and carry it with me every- where I go, while also representing where I’m from.

V: I know JT is from Florida too, and you just came out with a collaboration. How did you work through that together?

D: I made the song when I was in Miami. I was finishing my album out there. And with “Alter Ego,” it just kind of happened. The producer Zach Witness revamped an older version, and I was still thinking, this beat needs something and I love contrast. I wanted to integrate a voice that felt like the opposite of the style, but still belonged. JT immediately came to mind. I knew she would kill it and she did!

V: Do you have other projects coming up that you’re excited for?

D: I have a tour coming up for Pride Month in June. I wanted all of the venues to be gay clubs, gay festivals. We’re going to be organizing donations to different foundations in the LGBTQ+ community to ensure that, not only am I providing a good show, but I’m giving back to the community that has given me so much. They’ve supported me throughout my whole career, and I’m proud to be part of it as a bisexual woman.

This story appears in the pages of V149: now available for purchase!

Photography Eliza Jouin