She just won’t stop winning! After securing a Grammy and being named Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year, it’s clear Doechii is here to stay. The rapper, whose real name is Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, recently dropped her highly anticipated song titled "Anxiety." With the track going viral, particularly on TikTok, it appears we could be witnessing Doechii’s biggest hit yet, amplified by endorsements from none other than stars of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," Will Smith and Tatyana Ali.
Diving deep, the backstory of "Anxiety" reveals it was crafted over four years ago. The song prominently samples Gotye’s 2011 hit, "Somebody That I Used to Know." Doechii explained her creative process: "I took That Beat, ‘Somebody I Used To Know,’ and I made my own song on top of it called ‘Anxiety.’ So then I dropped That Song on YouTube.” Yet, after initially not hitting streaming platforms, another artist, Sleepy Hallow, sampled her work, which skyrocketed its visibility. Doechii noted, "Now, people are finding the original version... and that's blowing up on TikTok.”
The rise of the "Anxiety" song was largely fueled by fans, with one TikTok user, @mobraun, creating a fan edit featuring footage from the iconic '90s sitcom. This clip, showcasing Ali and Smith dancing together, significantly expanded the song's reach, accumulating over 2.3 million views.
Such popularity inspired the "Anxiety trend," with numerous TikTok users recre ating the carefree dance featured in the sitcom scene. Notably, another user, @viral_.arcadia, compiled the most popular videos from this trend, topping the list with one video boasting over 50 million views. This reflects how the blend of nostalgia and contemporary music can create explosive engagement on social media platforms.
On March 5, 2025, Will Smith himself publicly acknowledged the trend, praising Doechii through his post: “I’ve been watching y’all, and every video has been getting Better than The Last!! Love That Track @Doechii. @Tatyana Ali, Remember This?” This nod from such a prominent figure reinvigorated the song's buzz.
Fuelled by their shared enthusiasm for the trend, Doechii and Will Smith linked up to create their personal rendition of the "Anxiety" video, rekindling the beloved moment from their sitcom days. This collaboration culminated with another spin on the classic scene, even reuniting Will Smith with Tatyana Ali, creating new memories for longtime fans of the show.
Their collaborative video has now amassed 211.3 million views, solidifying it as the most viewed video featuring the song. Fans reveling through the nostalgic throwback paired with Doechii’s fresh new sound have combined to create something truly special.
"We love this," Ali remarked during the video, encapsulating the joyful spirit surrounding the revival of this classic moment. The encouragement received from social media and the viral popularity of the trend has enabled Doechii not only to reclaim the narrative of her long-past work but to shine brighter than ever.
With her name on the lips of countless fans, Doechii’s "Anxiety" hasn’t just climbed the charts; it has taken them by storm. It's become clear—Doechii is solidifying her place within the music industry and cultural zeitgeist alike, driving home the idea of how social media continues to play pivotal roles in the success of new artists today. Her ability to adapt and thrive within the ever-changing landscapes of music and engagement platforms are what fuel exciting futures for her and artists alike.
