From Doechii to Data: Rap Life Review Explores Streaming’s Grip on the Culture

On the latest episode of Apple Music’s Rap Life Review, Ebro Darden, Lowkey, and Eddie Francis kicked off the conversation with a deep dive into DDG’s surprising rise. Once known primarily as a YouTuber and streamer, DDG has now cemented his presence in the rap game. His latest album, Blame the Chat, boasts features from Offset, DaBaby, Ty Dolla $ign, and BIA, reflecting just how far his reach has extended.

The crew highlighted how DDG leveraged his online popularity into musical traction, racking up impressive streaming numbers that pushed the album into the top three overall on Apple Music. Ebro likened the internet to the modern-day streets, noting that just as artists used to hand out CDs at barbershops, DDG has tapped into a new kind of grassroots movement—digital hustle.

Still, there was some pushback. Lowkey questioned the rapid pace of DDG’s development, asking if the music matched the hype. He raised a broader point: is DDG aiming to be an artist in the traditional sense or simply a charismatic content creator dropping catchy tracks? Eddie weighed in, suggesting that DDG’s evolution feels more character-driven than artist-focused—a persona first, musician second.

Doechii’s Moment: Grimy Bars and Industry Grace

The conversation then shifted to the remarkable rise of Doechii, a genre-defying artist whose trajectory defies the conventional blueprint. After breaking through with Alligator Bites Never Heal last August, Doechii’s consistency, coupled with mainstream accolades—including a Grammy win and a Met Gala appearance—cements her as a force.

What stood out most, however, was her commitment to hip-hop culture. Her appreciation for artists like MF DOOM and Westside Gunn recently led to a collaboration remix with the latter—an organic result of an interview Ebro conducted. The hosts celebrated not only the track itself but what it represents: a rising pop star maintaining deep roots in underground rap.

Ebro emphasized that this is Doechii’s story, not just a co-sign situation. Her awareness, reverence, and desire to get grimy with her bars set her apart in a time when commercial success often comes at the expense of authenticity. For the Rap Life hosts, Doechii’s versatility and integrity are signs that hip-hop’s future is in secure hands.

From Glock to Ghostface: New Drops Keep Bars Alive

The trio also took time to salute some of the most lyrical projects currently making waves. Key Glock’s Glockaveli: The Don received high praise, particularly for its use of well-curated samples from artists like Keith Sweat and Three 6 Mafia. Eddie called the album “18 for 18,” and the hosts nodded in agreement on the project’s quality and cohesion.

Other albums that got flowers included Benny the Butcher’s Everybody Can’t Go, Boldy James, Styles P, Lloyd Banks, and Ghostface Killah. They also highlighted Ransom’s continued grind, noting his appearances on recent Dave East projects. These shoutouts reflect the ongoing vitality of lyric-driven rap, a genre space that, while often underground, continues to push forward thanks to artists staying true to craft.

Westside Gunn, MF DOOM, and the Griselda Blueprint

One major thread running through the show was the impact of Westside Gunn and the broader Griselda aesthetic. The crew gave Westside his props for bringing a certain kind of rawness back to the game. This conversation led to a nod to Rock Marciano and the 15th anniversary of Marcberg, a seminal project that laid the groundwork for much of Griselda’s sonic DNA.

The conversation helped illustrate how lineage matters in hip-hop. From MF DOOM to Rock Marciano to Westside Gunn to Doechii, the through-line is clear: detailed bars, moody samples, and cultural integrity still hold weight.

The Met Gala and the Elegance of Black Art

Naturally, fashion and cultural representation came up as the hosts transitioned to the Met Gala. This year’s theme, a tribute to the dandies movement, celebrated Black excellence and style. With Pharrell, ASAP Rocky, LeBron James, Colman Domingo, and Lewis Hamilton serving as key figures in the event, the hosts reflected on the evolution of Black style from church pews to couture runways.

Eddie spoke passionately about the need to protect and celebrate Black creativity, cautioning against shallow consumption. “They love our art, but they don’t always love us,” he said. The Gala’s embrace of Black men’s fashion is an opportunity—but one that should come with acknowledgment and credit.

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour: A Reclamation of Sound

Another major highlight was Eddie’s recap of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, which he called “1A and 1B” next to Renaissance in terms of performance quality. While the album veers into country and Americana—genres with complicated relationships to Black audiences—Beyoncé’s message was clear: this is our music too.

Opening with a rendition of "American Requiem," she flipped traditional imagery on its head, forcing audiences to reflect on ownership, identity, and inclusion. Ebro pointed out that Beyoncé isn’t just performing—she’s archiving Black history and making a statement about presence and permanence in every genre.

Russ on Streaming Metrics: Kill the Numbers, Save the Music?

To close the episode, the team discussed Russ’ recent comments about streaming platforms. The independent rapper called for Spotify and others to remove public stream counts, claiming they distort music appreciation by emphasizing popularity over quality.

Russ’s critique landed well with the hosts, who drew parallels to sports. Hip-hop, like sports, is competitive by nature. But when numbers become the only metric, the culture suffers. Ebro pointed out that this obsession with quantifying success dates back to the Bad Boy era, when hip-hop first started competing with pop for mainstream validation.

The takeaway? Numbers matter, but they shouldn’t be the only measure. Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Beyoncé—these artists all thrive within the system but also redefine it. Russ’s call is less about eliminating competition and more about re-centering the art.

Hip-Hop’s Pulse: Still Strong, Still Evolving

The latest Rap Life Review proves the genre remains as multifaceted and vibrant as ever. From DDG’s unconventional rise, to Doechii’s lyrical growth, to Beyoncé’s cultural reclamation, the episode covered artists pushing boundaries while staying rooted in tradition.

As Ebro put it best, “Hip-hop’s in great hands.”