Doechii Channels Sitcom Nostalgia in Star-Studded “Denial Is a River” Video
Doechii is wasting no time staking her claim on the new year. On January 2, the trailblazing rapper unveiled the music video for “Denial Is a River,” a standout track from her breakthrough mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. A clever nod to classic Black sitcoms like Family Matters, the video fuses comedy, drama, and introspection, making it an early contender for one of 2025’s most memorable visuals. Watch the video below.
Art Imitating Sitcom Life
Co-directed by Carlos Acosta and James Mackel, the video transforms Doechii’s life story into a fictional sitcom. Drawing from the golden era of TV, the clip’s nostalgic vibe is underscored by its playful use of the Family Matters theme song, “As Days Go By,” in its teaser trailer. Within the video, Doechii stars alongside a stacked cast of collaborators and friends, including Zack Fox, Rickey Thompson, ScHoolboy Q, SiR, Teezo Touchdown, Earl Sweatshirt, Baby Tate, and DJ Miss Milan.
The cinematic release builds on anticipation heightened by two skits — inspired by soap operas and telenovelas — released days before. These skits came amid Doechii’s whirlwind promotional appearances at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival.
A Rising Star’s Meteoric Climb
Alligator Bites Never Heal, Doechii’s first mixtape under Top Dawg Entertainment, dropped on August 30, 2023, to widespread acclaim. Powered by infectious tracks like “Denial Is a River,” the project climbed to No. 82 on the Billboard 200 and secured spots on multiple Billboard staff year-end lists.
Her momentum follows her first Billboard Hot 100 hit, the Kodak Black-assisted “What It Is (Block Boy),” which peaked at No. 29 in 2023. This steady ascent culminates with three Grammy nominations: Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (Alligator Bites Never Heal), and Best Rap Performance (“Nissan Altima”).
Collaboration in the Spotlight
Doechii’s creative partnerships continue to elevate her profile. Kaytranada’s remix of her standalone 2024 single, Alter Ego, featuring City Girls’ JT, scored a Grammy nod for Best Remixed Recording, adding yet another milestone to her growing résumé.
The Road Ahead
With a knack for storytelling and boundary-pushing visuals, Doechii’s “Denial Is a River” video is more than a musical moment — it’s a cultural statement. As she gears up for Grammy night on February 2, her innovative artistry shows she’s ready to dominate 2025.
If you haven’t already, watch Denial Is a River — a visual and musical treat that showcases Doechii’s undeniable star power.
