AzChike

Last updated
AZ Chike
Birth nameDamaria Kayshawn Walker
Born (1995-07-28) July 28, 1995 (age 30)
Origin South Central, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2013–present
Labels
Member ofAZ Cult

Damaria Kayshawn Walker, known as AZ Chike (born July 28, 1995) is an American rapper from South Central, Los Angeles. He released his debut album, Rich & Ratchet, in 2019.

Contents

Early life

AZ Chike grew up in South Central of Los Angeles. [1] After high school, he worked several jobs, including one at Sprouts Farmers Market, but quit in 2015 to pursue making music. [2]

Career

AZ Chike has rapped since 2013. [2] Around the same time, he and his friends formed the AZ Cult, a four-member hip-hop collective. In 2017, his song "Burn Rubber Again" went viral and garnered millions of listens on SoundCloud. Shortly after, he received a co-sign from Shoreline Mafia, released his debut mixtape, My World, and performed at Rolling Loud. [1] He also toured with Shoreline Mafia. [2]

In 2019, AZ Chike signed with Atlantic Records, specifically its Machine Works label, and Asylum Records. [3] He also released his debut album, Rich & Ratchet, and went on tour with rapper 1TakeJay. [4] [5] The same year, he released a three-song EP, AlmightyChike, with rapper Almighty Suspect. [6] One year later, in 2020, AZ Chike released Yors Truly EP. [3] From then on, AZ Chike's singles would court attention from publications like Pitchfork, The Fader , and Revolt. [6] [7] [8] In 2022, AZ Chike released the album Chike Different. [9]

In 2024, AZ Chike was featured on Schoolboy Q's album Blue Lips on the song "Movie". [10] At Schoolboy Q and Devin Malik's show at The Roxy Theatre, AZ Chike performed a 30-minute set. [11] He performed at Kendrick Lamar's The Pop Out: Ken & Friends in June at the Kia Forum. [12] The same year, he appeared on Kendrick Lamar's album GNX on the song "Peekaboo". [13]

On 21 February 2025, AZ Chike released "Whatx2" as a single along with its music video, simultaneously announcing his signing to Warner Records. [14]

Personal life

AZ Chike has two younger brothers. [2]

Discography

Studio albums

References

  1. 1 2 Acevedo, Kai (2019-09-25). "The Break Presents: AzChike". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "An Interview With Rising LA Star, AzChike". Passion of the Weiss. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  3. 1 2 "AzChike | Yors Truly". FLAUNT. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  4. ↑ "AzChike's New Project 'Rich & Ratchet' Is Out Everywhere". KPWR-FM. 2019-09-25. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  5. ↑ Baig, Nishat (2020-03-26). "Exclusive: We Chat With Asylum's AzChike". The Knockturnal. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  6. 1 2 Pierre, Alphonse (2019-02-28). "The Ones: Almighty Suspect and AzChike's "Legend Killa"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  7. ↑ "Splice teams up with GRAMMY®-nominated Producer of the Year, Alissia". The FADER. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  8. ↑ Cho, Regina. "Rucci, AzChike, and Babystone Gorillas link up for "5Real" single". REVOLT. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  9. ↑ Saponara, Michael (2024-11-27). "Meet the Emerging California Rappers Who Appeared on Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX' Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  10. ↑ Diaz, Angel (2024-03-06). "ScHoolboy Q's 'Blue Lips': All 18 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  11. ↑ "Live Review + Photos: ScHoolboy Q featuring Devin Malik and AZCHIKE". mxdwn Music. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  12. ↑ Victorian, Brande (June 19, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Brings 25 L.A. Artists Together for Juneteenth Show, Playing Drake Diss Track "Not Like Us" Five Times". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  13. ↑ Diaz, Angel (2024-12-06). "AzChike Says Kendrick Lamar Already Had Him in Mind for 'Peekaboo' Feature". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  14. ↑ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (2025-02-21). "West Coast Star AZ Chike Signs With Warner Records, Drops New Single 'Whatx2'". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
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