DENIAL IS A RIVER
by DOECHII

Doechii is on fine form on DENIAL IS A RIVER - her breakout UK chart hit, although nothing about the song signposts it as a commercial hit record. 

The track's beat - inspired by MF Doom - was first posted by its producer, IanJames, on YouTube in 2022, and it takes its title from a viral meme of The Wendy Williams Experience radio show, with Williams coining the saying 'denial is not just a river in Egypt,' after talking to a listener who believes her husband is secretly gay.

Written by Doechii alongside its producers, IanJames and Joey Hamcock, DENIAL IS A RIVER (released as a single January 14 2025 via TDE/Capitol) functions as something of a two-way conversation between Doechii and her therapist. The song dissects several events in Doechii's life; from the discovery her boyfriend cheated on her with another man, to her reckless drug use and partying in Hollywood. 

Exorcising these anxieties, the track ends with Doechii practicing a breathing exercise, mirrored in the track's excellent music video (set to resemble a classic sitcom) as the set around her collapses in flames. 

Despite its more avante-garde structure, DENIAL IS A RIVER met the moment where Doechii became a true sensation well. Thanks to its viral music video (and a sterling, stirring performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards), it became Doechii's first UK Top 10 hit, climbing to Number 9 on February 14 2025.

With this feat, Doechii not only became the first female rapper to be present on a UK Top 10 hit since Sexyy Red (in 2024, as a featured artist on Drake's Rich Baby Daddy alongside SZA), but also the first solo female rap Top 10 single since Doja Cat's 2023 Number 1 hit Paint The Town Red.

Turns out? Therapy is worth it!