Latest news with #DenialIsaRiver
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hayley Williams Celebrates Doechii's ‘Bold, Unmistakable Talent' in Heartfelt Tribute
Real recognizes real. According to Hayley Williams of Paramore, rising rap star Doechii is as real as it gets. In a touching tribute penned for Them, the 'Ain't It Fun' singer offered plenty of praise for the 'Denial Is a River' rapper, sharing that she's been closely watching her career since her performance at the 2022 BET Awards. 'Watching her on that stage, I had the same feeling I did the first time I saw Missy Elliott on MTV as a kid,' Williams said. 'It was raw, bold, unmistakable talent — the kind that doesn't wait for permission. She came out swinging, and I remember thinking, Oh, she's taking it. This is hers.' More from Billboard Meet the Drag Performers Teaching Everyone How to Fight Back Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Threats in 2025 You Can Shop Addison Rae's 2000s-Inspired Look From Her 'Times Like These' Music Video Now with Free People Mariah Carey Celebrates Pride Month in Style With Rainbow Merch Available on Amazon Prior to Williams' discovery of Doechii, the rapper had already paid tribute to Paramore through a sample of the band's hit ballad 'The Only Exception' on her 2020 single 'Yucky Blucky Fruitcake.' Williams pointed out in her tribute that she 'hadn't even caught' the interpolation when she first saw Doechii's performance. The singer went on to praise Doechii's self-assured artistry, and even added that she still aspires to that level of confidence more than 20 years into her career as a performer. 'People sometimes assume because of how I am onstage, that I carry that same confidence. But the truth is, that kind of boldness is something I still have to work to access,' she said. 'With Doechii, though, that energy feels inherent. When I listen to her, I feel it — like it transfers through the speakers. And I think a lot of her listeners feel the same way.' Williams added that the rapper's openness about her sexuality is just another example of how Doechii is doing music stardom on her own terms. 'It's powerful to watch an artist like her speak openly about identity in the public eye,' she said. 'We need that. We need women who are unapologetic about who they are, who they love, what they believe.' Closing her tribute, Williams thanked Doechii for giving performers everywhere — including herself — something to aspire to. 'Watching someone emerge with that kind of confidence, that kind of clarity, is a gift,' she said. 'She reminds me — and probably a lot of people — that moving through the world with certainty doesn't mean you stop learning or growing. It just means you know your worth as you go. And that, to me, is something to look up to.' Doechii is coming off yet another big win, this time at the 2025 BET Awards, where she took home the trophy for best female hip hop artist. During her speech at the ceremony, Doechii called out President Donald Trump activating the National Guard in response to the ongoing Los Angeles protests around ICE raids in the city. 'I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' she asked the crowd. 'People are being swept up and torn from their families, and I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people.' Best of Billboard Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train Will Bring Their Holiday Hits to iHeart Christmas Concert Fox Plans NFT Debut With $20 'Masked Singer' Collectibles 14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doechii condemns Trump for 'ruthless attacks' on Los Angeles in BET Awards acceptance speech
Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii denounced the "ruthless attacks" on Los Angeles by the federal government while accepting the BET Award for female hip-hop artist on Monday night. 'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest,' the "Denial Is a River" singer said. 'And I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' Read more: What businesses are the feds targeting during L.A. immigration sweeps? Here's what we know On Friday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted workplace raids in L.A.'s garment district. Agents detained workers inside Ambiance Apparel, prompting protests. On Saturday morning, ICE agents gathered inside a gated industrial park in Paramount near a Home Depot. Word of their presence spread on social medial, which prompted protesters to arrive. Federal agents and sheriff's deputies fired tear gas and flash-bang rounds at the demonstrators, who threw items toward them. In response, President Trump deployed roughly 2,000 National Guard and 700 active-duty U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton to protect federal agents. 'People are being swept up and torn from their families and I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people,' Doechii said. 'For Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza, we all deserve to live in hope and not in fear.' Doechii was not the only artist to publicly criticize the president and the federal government during the ceremony. Before singer Ledisi took the stage, actor, writer and producer Tyler Perry called out Hollywood studios for their silence in times when "politicians are removing books from libraries, history and names from government buildings." 'This is not the time to be silent, this is not the time to give up — this is the time to dig in and keep leaving footprints everywhere you go.' Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Doechii condemns Trump for ‘ruthless attacks' on Los Angeles in BET Awards acceptance speech
Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii denounced the 'ruthless attacks' on Los Angeles by the federal government while accepting the BET Award for female hip-hop artist on Monday night. 'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest,' the 'Denial Is a River' singer said. 'And I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' On Friday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted workplace raids in L.A.'s garment district. Agents detained workers inside Ambiance Apparel, prompting protests. On Saturday morning, ICE agents gathered inside a gated industrial park in Paramount near a Home Depot. Word of their presence spread on social medial, which prompted protesters to arrive. Federal agents and sheriff's deputies fired tear gas and flash-bang rounds at the demonstrators, who threw items toward them. In response, President Trump deployed roughly 2,000 National Guard and 700 active-duty U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton to protect federal agents. 'People are being swept up and torn from their families and I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people,' Doechii said. 'For Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza, we all deserve to live in hope and not in fear.' Doechii was not the only artist to publicly criticize the president and the federal government during the ceremony. Before singer Ledisi took the stage, actor, writer and producer Tyler Perry called out Hollywood studios for their silence in times when 'politicians are removing books from libraries, history and names from government buildings.' 'This is not the time to be silent, this is not the time to give up — this is the time to dig in and keep leaving footprints everywhere you go.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doechii Calls Out Donald Trump's "Ruthless" Immigration Policies in BET Awards Speech
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Doechii used her BET Awards acceptance speech to call out President Donald Trump and his aggressive immigration policies, those which have led to massive protests across the country, and particularly in Los Angeles. Last night at the BET Awards in L.A., the 'Denial Is a River' rapper—dressed in a bright-red Miu Miu set—took home the prize for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. After noting how 'honored' she was for the recognition, she pivoted to 'address what's happening right now outside of the building.' Just down the street from the award show, protestors had shut down streets to stand up against the Trump administration's immigration raids, mass deportations, and ongoing attack on migrants. In response to the uproar, Trump called in the National Guard—2,000 of them. 'There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,' Doechii said. 'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' 'What type of government is that?' she asked. Los Angeles's population is famously varied due to its close proximity to Mexico. According to the 2024 U.S. Census, 33 percent of Angelenos were born outside of the United States. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called for Trump to halt the raids in the city. 'I can't emphasize enough the level of fear and terror that is in Angelenos right now, not knowing if tomorrow or tonight it might be where they live, it might be their workplace, should you send your kids to school, should you go to work,' she said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, is suing the Trump administration for its 'illegal takeover' of the California National Guard, which the Democratic leader notes has 'escalated chaos and violence in L.A.' You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doechii Styles Floor-length Braids With Miu Miu Look for 2025 BET Awards
Doechii was honored for her musical prowess and innovation on Monday at the 2025 BET Awards in Los Angeles, during which she received the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. The 26-year-old rapper and singer, who earlier this year took home the Grammy for Best New Artist, celebrated the night with floor-length braids styled by her longtime hair architect, Malcolm Marquez. The 'Denial Is a River' creator collaborated with Marquez, drawing on her signature style and persona to create a fresh take. While the spiral braids on top of her head felt particularly familiar, the five-foot extensions swinging across her left shoulder were something new. More from WWD Rebag Expands Access to Pre-loved Luxury Goods With New Amazon Collaboration Jennifer Hudson Shines With $270,000 Jared Atelier Diamonds on 2025 BET Awards Red Carpet, Styles Vera Wang-collaborated Necklace for Performance Mariah Carey is the 'Ultimate Icon' in White and Gold Dresses at the 2025 BET Awards The elongated braids were low-key in comparison to the abstract, sculpted hair Marquez has created for her in the past. However, Marquez typically adds a braided element in many of her looks. Doechii's hair for the Grammy Awards was a braided crown extension tied on top of her head. Oppositely, Marquez put her in an afro for the 2025 Met Gala and flattened her hair, adding a front fringe and folding the spikey ends on top of her head for her Dazed cover shoot. Her BET Awards makeup was light, consisting of full brows, lash extensions, brown lip liner and a clear gloss. Doechii has famously worked with artist Dee, whose client list includes Ayo Edebiri, but it's not certain whether they were responsible for this glam. Doechii was also a Miu Miu girl on Monday, posing in an all-red, two-piece skirt and bandeau top set with the brand's yellow suede Arcadie bag, layered belts, colorful bangles and a Renato Cipullo Amethyst and Emerald Lucido Ring. Her acrylic nails were also the star of the show, square-cut and painted in an ombré red and gold on one hand and an iridescent amber on the other. Doechii's stylist Sam Woolf also put her in see-through, orange shades, wood hoops and Jimmy Choo sandals with purple flower accents. Back in February, Doechii made her rounds through fashion week, attending all of the major shows and opening the runway for Dsquared2's fall 2025 Milan presentation. Her runway debut saw her emerge out of an armored truck to her own track, 'Nissan Altima.' Instead of braids, Doechii's hair was teased up, blown out and curled, shining as the flood lights hit her. View Gallery Launch Gallery: BET Awards 2025 Red Carpet Arrivals, Live Updates Best of WWD Mia Threapleton's Red Carpet Style Through the Years [PHOTOS] Princess Charlene of Monaco's Grand Prix Style Through the Years: Louis Vuitton, Akris and More, Photos Princess Charlene's Monaco Grand Prix Style Evolution at Full Speed: Shades of Blue in Louis Vuitton, Playful Patterning in Akris and More
