AzChike (born 1994 or 1995) is an American rapper from South Central, Los Angeles. He released his debut album, Rich & Ratchet, in 2019.
AzChike (born 1994 or 1995) is an American rapper from South Central, Los Angeles. He released his debut album, Rich & Ratchet, in 2019.
AzChike 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]
AzChike has rapped since 2013. [2] Around the same time, he and his friends formed the AzCult, 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, AzChike 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, AzChike released Yors Truly EP. [3] From then on, AzChike's singles would court attention from publications like Pitchfork, The Fader, and Revolt. [6] [7] [8] In 2022, AzChike released the album Chike Different. [9]
In 2024, AzChike 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, AzChike performed a 30-minute set. [11] The same year, he appeared on Kendrick Lamar's album GNX on the song "Peekaboo". [12]
AzChike has two younger brothers. [2]
Studio albums
Quincy Matthew Hanley, better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q, is an American rapper from South Los Angeles, California. He began recording in 2007, and released his first two mixtapes, ScHoolboy Turned Hustla (2008) and Gangsta & Soul (2009) to local success. After signing with the Carson-based record label Top Dawg Entertainment, Hanley's debut studio album, Setbacks (2011) and its follow-up, Habits & Contradictions (2012) were both released to positive critical response; both also performed moderately on the US Billboard 200 chart as digital exclusives.
Setbacks is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist ScHoolboy Q, released for digital download on January 11, 2011, under Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from fellow Black Hippy members Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul, as well as vocals from singer-songwriters Alori Joh, Jhené Aiko and BJ the Chicago Kid. The album's production was handled by Lord Quest, Willie B, Focus..., Rahki, Phonix Beats, Tae Beast, DJ Wes, King Blue, Sounwave and more.
Habits & Contradictions is the second studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. It was released on January 14, 2012, exclusively on iTunes, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from ASAP Rocky, Jhené Aiko, Dom Kennedy, Currensy, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock. The production was handled by American producers The Alchemist, Lex Luger, Mike Will Made It, Best Kept Secret and ASAP Ty Beats, as well as members of Top Dawg Entertainment in-house production team Digi+Phonics.
Black Hippy was an American hip hop supergroup from South Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008. The group consisted of West Coast rappers Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q. Black Hippy was constructed after all of its members had signed to Carson-based indie record label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American independent record label. Specializing in hip hop and R&B artists, TDE is based in Carson, California. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who is the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.
Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. It was released on February 25, 2014, through Top Dawg Entertainment and distributed by Interscope Records. Oxymoron was his first album released under a major record label to music retailers, whereas his previous albums were released independently to digital retailers only.
"Yay Yay" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q, released on April 16, 2013 as the first song in promotion of his major-label debut album, Oxymoron (2014). It charted at number 49 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in January 2014 after being put up with the album's pre-order. It was ultimately included as an iTunes exclusive bonus track on the digital deluxe edition of the album.
Digi+Phonics is an American hip hop production team, composed of California-based record producers Tae Beast, Sounwave, Dave Free and Willie B. They currently serve as the main in-house producers for Carson-based record label, Top Dawg Entertainment. Digi+Phonics work significantly on projects from all the members of hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, who are also signed to Top Dawg and is composed of rappers Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul. Their best known productions include "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick Lamar, "There He Go" by Schoolboy Q, and "Terrorist Threats" by Ab-Soul. They frequently co-produce songs together and put the finishing touches on the projects released by Top Dawg Entertainment.
"Collard Greens" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q, released on June 11, 2013 as the lead single from his third studio album Oxymoron (2014). The song, produced by production team THC and co-produced by Gwen Bunn, features a guest appearance from his Black Hippy cohort, Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate, and fellow American rapper Kendrick Lamar. The song has since peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 36 on the UK R&B Chart. It was met with generally positive reviews from music critics.
William Thomas Trenell Brown, known professionally as Willie B or by the stage name the Ichiban Don, is an American hip hop record producer and recording artist from Los Angeles, California. He is an original member of West Coast hip hop production team Digi+Phonics of Top Dawg Entertainment. He is also a member of the hip hop collective A Room Full of Mirrors, alongside fellow rappers Punch and Daylyt, among others.
"Man of the Year" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q. The song was released as the second official single from his major-label debut album Oxymoron, on November 23, 2013, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records. The song, produced by frequent collaborators Nez & Rio, first appeared on the soundtrack to the 2013 video game NBA Live 14. The song samples "Cherry", as performed by American electronic band Chromatics, from the 2013 compilation album After Dark 2. The song debuted at number 81 and later peaked at 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"Break the Bank" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q, released on January 21, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records, as a promotional single from his major label debut studio album Oxymoron (2014). The song was recorded in 2012 and was produced by The Alchemist. The song has since peaked at number 32 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"That Part" is a hip hop song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q featuring Kanye West. It was released on May 13, 2016 by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records, as the lead single from Schoolboy Q's fourth album Blank Face LP, and was produced by Cardo, Yung Exclusive, Cubeatz and Sounwave. The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. HipHopDX named it the ninth best hip-hop song of 2016.
Blank Face LP is the fourth studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. It was released on July 8, 2016, through Top Dawg Entertainment and distributed by Interscope Records. The album serves as his second release under a major record label to music retailers, following 2014's Oxymoron. The album features guest appearances from several prominent artists, such as Kanye West, Jadakiss, E-40, Tha Dogg Pound, Miguel and Anderson .Paak, among others.
Terrence Louis Henderson Jr., better known by his stage name Punch, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, record executive and talent manager from Carson, California. He is best known for being the president of independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). He has also executive produced several successful albums, including Kendrick Lamar's Section.80 (2011), Schoolboy Q's Habits & Contradictions (2012), Terrace Martin's 3ChordFold, (2013) and more. Aside from his solo musical career, Punch is a member of hip hop collective A Room Full of Mirrors, alongside fellow rappers Daylyt, Nick Grant, The Ichiban Don, Lyric Michelle, Hari, and more.
"Chopstix" is a song by American rappers Schoolboy Q and Travis Scott, released on April 8, 2019 by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records. It is the second single from Schoolboy Q's fifth studio album Crash Talk (2019). The song was produced by DJ Dahi. The song received mixed to negative reviews.
Crash Talk is the fifth studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q, released on April 26, 2019, through Top Dawg Entertainment and distributed by Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Travis Scott, 6lack, Ty Dolla Sign, YG, 21 Savage, Kid Cudi, and Lil Baby. It was supported by three singles: "Numb Numb Juice", "Chopstix", and "Floating".
Blue Lips is the sixth studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. It was released on March 1, 2024, through Top Dawg Entertainment and distributed by Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Ab-Soul, AzChike, Childish Major, Devin Malik, Freddie Gibbs, Jozzy, Lance Skiiwalker, and Rico Nasty. It marks his first studio album release in five years, since 2019's Crash Talk.
GNX is the sixth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released as a surprise album through PGLang and Interscope Records on November 22, 2024. The album has guest appearances from SZA, Dody6, Lefty Gunplay, Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x, Roddy Ricch, AzChike, Hitta J3, YoungThreat; and Peysoh. Production was primarily by Sounwave and Jack Antonoff, alongside Mustard, Sean Momberger, and Kamasi Washington, among others. Titled after the Buick Regal model and following his feud with Canadian rapper and singer Drake, GNX is Lamar's first album to be released after his departure from longtime labels Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment.
"Heart Pt. 6" is a song recorded by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was surprise-released under PGLang and Interscope Records as the tenth track from his sixth studio album, GNX, on November 22, 2024. It serves as the sixth installment in "The Heart" song series, and the first to not be a promotional single released prior to a project. The song was produced by Sounwave and Jack Antonoff, with additional production by M-Tech and Juju. The song features uncredited vocals from R&B trio SWV, sampled from their track "Use Your Heart", written and produced by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, as the Neptunes. The track also features additional background vocals from American singer Sam Dew.