Welcome to Heat Check, a bimonthly music column where AJC culture reporter DeAsia Paige explores the temperature of Georgia’s buzzing, expansive music scene. The column includes music news, trends and any Georgia-related music that DeAsia is listening to. If you’re a Georgia artist and have music you want to be considered for this column — or if you just want to talk music — feel free to send an email to deasia.paige@ajc.com. Continue reading for a special playlist.
If you caught Doechii’s performance at the Grammy Awards last night, chances are you heard a big, bold voice in the background. With the abundant red braids to match. Her presence wasn’t visible for most of the set. But she became a crucial element of Doechii’s stage presence. She energized the crowd as Doechii masterfully performed a high-octane medley of “Catfish” and “Denial Is a River.”
“Wassup, Doechii,” the woman said as she appeared on stage, dressed in a gray-and-white set. “Why don’t you tell the Grammys what’s been going on.”
The voice is from none other than DJ Miss Milan, the Atlanta resident and hype woman who has helped catapult Doechii’s breakout rap success. Not only did Doechii perform Sunday night, but she won best rap album for her mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal” (for which Milan is credited as a writer and producer). It marked only the third time that a woman has won the award.
“I’m feeling very full of gratitude, a lot of excitement,” DJ Miss Milan told the AJC in January while rehearsing for the Grammys. “I’m super happy this is happening for Doechii, myself and the rest of the team.”
Doechii, a first-time Grammy winner, was also nominated for best new artist, best rap performance and best remixed recording on Sunday night. The string of accolades is a reflection of the stellar run that defined the Florida rapper’s 2024. In August, she dropped the 19-track “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” her first full-length project as a TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) signee. She’s collaborated with Tyler, the Creator and received nods from Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé. Doechii recently scored her first solo Hot 100 entry, thanks to “Denial Is a River.”
Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
She also has performed everywhere from the Renaissance World Tour to NPR Tiny Desk. Doechii has done it all without releasing a proper debut album. And DJ Miss Milan has been along for every step of the ride.
The self-described “Fairy Vibemother,” whose real name is Milan Stoute, has become an essential fixture in Doechii’s thundering rap prowess — from standing alongside her during performances to elevating her sound. Milan cowrote and coproduced “Boom Bap” a standout track from the mixtape that favors hip-hop’s golden age.
Milan said the song was intended for Doechii’s upcoming debut album but noted that the rapper was adamant about dropping a project before then. The DJ is inspired by the artist standing firm in her vision and the hard work that built this Grammy-winning moment.
“Her creative process of just locking in for an hour, writing a song, getting a beat, putting it together, figuring out a visual behind it — she really challenged herself as a true artist to really do something like that. This is how ‘Alligator Bites’ was birthed. As a Black woman DJ, to even be [at] this level is something that’s historic for both of us.”
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Milan has worked as a DJ for nearly nine years. She moved to Atlanta roughly three years ago for a “change of scenery.”
Milan previously collaborated with artists including R&B singer Justine Skye and rapper Saweetie — building a reputation for uplifting the sounds of female artists.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Milan placed Doechii’s 2020 song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” on her curated playlist titled “Girl Gvng Global.” The playlist celebrated nearly 100 female rappers whom Milan felt “weren’t getting their flowers.”
Doechii got wind of the playlist (posted on streaming platforms), reached out to DJ Miss Milan and the rest is history — well, history making.
“We all know that hip-hop, especially the DJ culture, has been a lot of the boys club,” she said. “You’ll more likely see a hype man than you’ll see a hype girl. For me personally, seeing the representation of female DJs like a Spinderella, who worked with Salt-N-Pepa, automatically made me feel like, ‘OK, there’s a possibility for me to do this.’”
That keen awareness of hip-hop history matched with an eager desire to shape its future is clear every time Doechii and Milan hit the stage. It’s a buoyant chemistry that’s been historically reserved for men in the genre (see: DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith or Spliff Star and Busta Rhymes).
“She’s a force by herself, but I do appreciate the fact that she includes me in things like this because she is very dedicated to upholding the essence of hip-hop and truly embodying it in all layers … I’m her as a DJ, she’s me as an artist, and vice versa.”
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Now, for Milan, “Alligator Bites Never Heal” takes on a new meaning: embracing the battle wounds while trusting the process.
“There are many different pains that we go through as creatives, especially when you are self-employed. It ebbs and flows, but I just learned how to go with the flow of wherever the pendulum decides to swing. I have a lot of faith in myself. I have a lot of faith in God who uses me for the things that I’m doing.”
As promised, here’s a February playlist. See you next month!
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