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Photo: Samuel Valdivia

Paying homage to the 2000s anthem, Doechii repurposes “Some Cut” by Trillville to put the ball back in women’s court on “What It Is (Block Boy).”

Named Billboard’s “Rising Star,” Doechii walks with an understated sense of security. She knows she’s an “it” girl in the hip-hop industry and doesn’t need performative tactics to prove it: she wears her outfits, raps her verses, and leaves a trail of fire behind her as she exits.

Much more vocally forward than her previous singles, “What It Is (Block Boy)” feels like the modern-day “Soldier” by Destiny’s Child, reminding us that there aren’t enough tracks where women platform their assets and demand their desires. It’s more pop from her than we’re used to, and with it, we're greeted by a nostalgically playful single that gives Doechii a chance to dance with her vocal range over a “No Scrubs” by TLC sample.

The song originally features a verse from Kodak Black, which earned some pushback from fans and prompted the artist to release a solo version alongside it. While it was a choice most likely in honor of their shared Floridian upbringing, many found it to be tone-deaf, though truthfully, the biggest takeaway from the debacle was that Doechiii doesn’t need a feature and can hold attention on her own without much of a sweat. Though we’re grateful for it, even SZA’s version of “Persuasive” still didn’t outshine the solo cut.

Describing her sound as alternative hip-hop, Doechii continues to shapeshift, from rap to R&B to crowning herself a provocative dance-pop seductress. It’s not often that an artist comes out the gate so willing to be experimental, clearly indicating that the 24-year-old rising star is only just getting started.

Listen to every version of "What It Is" below: