Phoenix, Arizona is not typically the first city that comes to mind when you think of hip-hop hotbeds. But with his unique blend of clever wordplay, infectious hooks, and a story that spans everything from gospel rap to jail time, Big Doobie is on a mission to change that.
Growing up on the streets, Big Doobie found himself in and out of trouble throughout his youth. But when he moved in with his aunt and uncle in Arizona, they encouraged him to focus his talents on gospel rap. This led to opportunities performing in front of youth audiences all over the country.
As he got older, Big Doobie’s path diverged from his family’s wishes. He found himself in and out of jail for minor offenses, until one day he was facing a life-changing charge. Fortunately, he beat the case in 2008 and began to turn his life around. By 2009, he was working with his cousins in club promotion, and they went on to have a successful decade in Phoenix’s nightlife scene.
But it wasn’t until 2019 that Big Doobie decided to get serious about his rap career again. He had lost touch with his old music industry connections, so he had to start from scratch. He began building his brand on Instagram just as COVID was shutting everything down. While it was a challenging time, it forced him to learn how to navigate social media and get his business in order. By the time things started reopening, he was ready to hit the ground running.
Since then, Big Doobie has been performing all over the country, networking, and building a solid foundation for his career. His hard work has paid off, with him being named Arizona Lyricist of the Year by AZMT in both 2022 and 2023.
Big Doobie’s biggest challenge has been learning to manage expectations. You can pour your heart and soul into a project, but you never know how it will be received by others. But with each new release and each new milestone, he is getting better at trusting his instincts and believing in himself.
Looking to the future, Big Doobie has big dreams. He wants to become one of the most successful artists to ever come out of Arizona, and to use his platform to uplift other artists from his region. He hopes to make music his full-time career, and to make a positive impact on the communities where he grew up.
One of the keys to Big Doobie’s success has been his ability to showcase Arizona to the world through his music. While the Southwest has a thriving music scene, it has not yet produced a nationally recognized star. Big Doobie is determined to be one of the artists who changes that.
In mid-June, Big Doobie released a new song called “My Boi,” which has been gaining a lot of attention. He originally recorded the track as a thank you for the fans who bought his first album, The Biggest Cactus. But once he started performing it live and saw the reaction, he knew he had to share it with the world. The song features his signature clever wordplay paired with a catchy hook that will stick in your head.
As Big Doobie continues to release new music and tour the country, he is getting closer to realizing his dreams every day. With his talent, his drive, and his dedication, it is only a matter of time before he puts Arizona on the hip-hop map for good.
You can keep up with Big Doobie on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. Be sure to check out “My Boi” and his other music, and keep an eye out for what he does next.