Doechii Blew Herself Up for "CATWOMAN": Your Hip-Hop Halloween Watchlist Starts Here

If you're looking for something to watch before the party, or instead of the party, we've got you covered. This year's best scary visual in hip-hop came from a rapper who decided the best way to introduce her next era was to blow up her old one. Literally.

Here's your hip-hop Halloween watchlist, starting with Doechii.

Doechii's "CATWOMAN" Is a Horror Short

On October 20, Doechii dropped "CATWOMAN," the latest entry in her revived Swamp Sessions series. As Billboard's Michael Saponara described it, it follows "BOMBS," which came out the week before.

The setup is simple. Doechii walks through a desert in baggy washed denim, a Tap Out waistband and a white sports bra. That's the Swamp Princess, the version of Doechii we all fell for. Then the Catwoman version shows up, Afro out, in black denim, heels, and matching shades, carrying a bazooka. And she blows the Swamp Princess to pieces.

Stereogum's Tom Breihan said he'd seen pop stars do the "kill off the old persona" gimmick before, but never "quite so vividly." Doechii co-directed the roughly two-minute clip with Carlos Acosta. As of Stereogum's write-up, the song wasn't on streaming yet. Watch it on YouTube and see for yourself. Just know it gets graphic.

The Bars Under the Bazooka

It's not just a visual flex. Over what Stereogum called a "tingly boom-bap beat," Doechii throws back to her 2024 track with the same name. She also tips her hat to Busta Rhymes with a "woo-hah" ad-lib and name-drops Sean Connery and his James Bond run. Billboard quoted this stretch:

"B*tch, I get around, I got a little bit of 'Pac in me / Bottega miniskirt got a pocket for the pocket piece / You can't stop me, fire stick like a Taki."

That's the energy she's bringing into her debut album. In a journal entry Billboard shared, she wrote: "I spent the last few years relearning Hip-Hop as a student. Studying its language, history & roots. Now I feel inspired to contribute to evolve it." She added that she wants "to see black womanhood exist at the center of Hip-Hop AND Pop." Killing off the Swamp Princess on camera is one way to say a new chapter is starting.

Hottieween Took Over Vegas

Doechii isn't the only one going all in on spooky season. Megan Thee Stallion's annual Hottieween was set for last night, October 30, at Zouk Nightclub inside Resorts World Las Vegas, starting at 9 PM PT. Billboard and Complex both reported the details.

This year's theme was a circus, with Megan teaming up with Cirque du Soleil. In typical Megan style, she announced: "THEE CIRCUS IS COMING… AND THE RINGLEADER IS A BAD B*TCH." She also told fans to "come dressed to kill."

The party had a purpose, too. Part of the proceeds were set to go to the Pete & Thomas Foundation, which Megan started in 2022 in honor of her late parents, Joseph Pete III and Holly Thomas. GA tickets were $126, and her Chicas Divertidas tequila was part of the night. If you were in the building, tell us how it went.

Three Classics to Run Back Tonight

Once you've watched Doechii, here are three old-school picks to keep the mood going.

Kanye West, "Monster" (2010). The video was directed by Jake Nava and features Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj. It's full of horror imagery, and Nicki's verse is still one of the most famous guest spots ever. The single even hit iTunes on October 23, 2010, right around Halloween.

Tyler, the Creator, "Yonkers" (2011). Tyler directed this one himself. It's a stark black-and-white video, and the cockroach scene is stuck in everyone's memory. It went viral and helped him win Best New Artist at the 2011 MTV VMAs. It's simple, it's disturbing, and it's unforgettable.

Busta Rhymes, "Gimme Some More" (1998). This one's less scary and more cartoon fever dream. Hype Williams directed it with Busta, who's credited as "Busta Remo." It was shot with a fisheye lens and sped up, and it's as chaotic as the E.L.E. era itself. It's perfect for a costume party.

Your Turn

Halloween and hip-hop have always gone together, from horrorcore to visuals that push the line. This year, Doechii raised the bar by blowing up her own persona on camera.

So what's the scariest rap video of all time, and what are you dressing up as tonight? Let us know.