Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal Cracks Top 10 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart

In early 2025, Doechii reached a significant career milestone as her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal ascended into the top 10 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The mixtape jumped 24 spots to land at No. 9 on the chart dated January 18, 2025, earning 18,000 equivalent album units during the tracking week of January 3-9, marking a 30% increase from the previous week. According to data from Luminate, streaming was the dominant contributor to the mixtape’s rise, accounting for 17,000 of those 18,000 units. This translates to 22.8 million official U.S. on-demand audio and video streams. The remaining 1,000 units came primarily from traditional album sales, with a small contribution from track-equivalent units.

Alligator Bites Never Heal, released in late August 2024 under the Top Dawg/Capitol/ICLG labels, initially debuted on the chart at No. 41 on September 14, 2024. However, it exited the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ranking after its first week. The mixtape made a triumphant return to the chart on December 21, 2024, following a surge in interest surrounding Doechii’s catalog. This newfound attention was driven by standout performances on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on December 5, 2024, and NPR’s Tiny Desk series on December 6, 2024. Additionally, Doechii’s collaboration with Issa Rae on the mixtape’s track “Denial Is a River” (released December 19) further contributed to the revitalization of the project.

The mixtape’s success was not limited to the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. On the Top Rap Albums chart, Alligator Bites Never Heal skyrocketed from No. 20 to No. 8, marking its first appearance in the top 10. The project also made an impressive jump on the all-genre Billboard 200, rising from No. 69 to No. 33, achieving a new peak for the artist.

In addition to the success of the mixtape itself, the track “Denial Is a River” has also seen considerable growth. In its third week on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, “Denial Is a River” soared from No. 33 to No. 20. The song’s surge in streaming activity played a pivotal role in its rise, with the track earning 8.1 million official U.S. streams during the tracking week—a significant 77% increase from the previous week’s 4.6 million streams. This jump helped “Denial Is a River” tie for Doechii’s second-highest peak on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The artist had previously featured on Tyler, The Creator’s track “Balloon” from his album Chromakopia, which peaked at No. 20 in November 2024. Additionally, Doechii’s collaboration with Kodak Black on “What It Is (Block Boy)” reached a No. 8 peak in October 2023.

“Denial Is a River” is also making waves on other charts. It moved from No. 20 to No. 17 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, reflecting its growing popularity. The song also made its debut on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, entering the chart at No. 76. This marks Doechii’s third charting title on the Hot 100, following the success of “What It Is (Block Boy)” (No. 29) and “Balloon” (No. 56). The ascent of “Denial Is a River” on multiple charts highlights Doechii’s expanding presence in the music industry and her ability to resonate with a wide audience across various genres.

The rapid rise of Alligator Bites Never Heal and its standout track “Denial Is a River” demonstrates Doechii’s growing influence in the music scene. The mixtape’s success comes at a pivotal moment in her career, establishing her as one of the leading voices in contemporary hip-hop and R&B. The increased attention to her music, coupled with her successful performances and high-profile collaborations, positions Doechii for even greater accomplishments in the years to come.

As Doechii continues to break new ground, her increasing chart success is a testament to the hard work and creativity she has poured into her craft. The mixtape’s success on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and the Hot 100 is just the beginning of what promises to be a long and prosperous career. Fans can expect more from the artist as she solidifies her place in the upper echelons of the music industry, while continuing to deliver powerful and impactful music that resonates with listeners around the world.