The 9-year-old girl who went viral for her karaoke rendition of Project Pat’s “Chickenhead” performed alongside the Memphis rapper on stage for a 901 Day that she is unlikely to forget.
The July video of Alaynna Doty performing karaoke inside her favorite restaurant, Crazy Cactus in Olive Branch, was reposted countless times across the internet and amassed more than 5 million views. Project Pat even reposted the video.
That viral video ultimately led to the Byhalia, Mississippi, girl teaming up with the rapper at the 901 Day on Beale event on Sept. 1.
As Alaynna predicted in an interview with The Commercial Appeal in August, the 10,000-strong crowd didn’t faze her one bit — she rapped the song word for word, with a confident stage presence that would seem as though she’s done it a hundred times before.
Alaynna’s mom, Lauren Durham, told The Commercial Appeal she was proud of her daughter and was happy with the positivity the video generated from strangers around the world.
“It meant a lot to see everybody come together… and not so much hate on having so many different cultures together,” Durham said. “It made my heart very very happy to see everyone hype her up on the internet as well.”
While finding out that she’s now recognizable by millions was shocking, it was also a pleasant surprise for Alaynna, who hopes to be a singer when she grows up. That, or a doctor or nurse. She’s got big plans, and the moment on stage with one of her favorite rappers is a great start.
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering DeSoto County, as well as Dining in the Memphis area. You can reach him at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Watch Mississippi girl rap ‘Chickenhead’ with Project Pat at 901 Day