AZ Chike
AZ Chike | |
|---|---|
.jpg) AZ Chike in 2025 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | AzChike |
| Born | Damaria Kayshawn Walker July 28, 1995[1] |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genre | Hip-hop |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | AZ Cult |
| Website | azchikeofficial.com |
Damaria Kayshawn Walker is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California, better known by the stage name AZ Chike (also stylized as AzChike). He released his debut album, Rich & Ratchet, in 2019. His debut major label studio album No Rest for the Wicked, was released in 2026, to critical acclaim.[2][3]
Early life
[edit]AZ Chike grew up in South Central Los Angeles.[4] After high school, he worked several jobs, including one at Sprouts Farmers Market, but quit in 2015 to pursue making music.[5]
Career
[edit]AZ Chike has rapped since 2013.[5] 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.[4] He also toured along with Shoreline Mafia.[5]
In 2019, AZ Chike signed with Atlantic Records, specifically its Machine Works label, and Asylum Records.[6] He also released his debut album, Rich & Ratchet, and went on tour with rapper 1TakeJay.[7][8] The same year, he released a three-song EP, AlmightyChike, with rapper Almighty Suspect.[9] One year later, in 2020, AZ Chike released Yors Truly EP.[6] From then on, his singles would court attention from publications like Pitchfork, The Fader, and Revolt.[9][10][11] In 2022, he released the album Chike Different.[12]
In 2024, AZ Chike was featured on Schoolboy Q's album Blue Lips on the song "Movie".[13] At Schoolboy Q and Devin Malik's show at The Roxy Theatre, he performed a 30-minute set.[14] AZ Chike performed at Kendrick Lamar's The Pop Out: Ken & Friends in June at the Kia Forum.[15] The same year, he appeared on Kendrick Lamar's album GNX on the song "Peekaboo".[16][17][18]
On 21 February 2025, AZ Chike released "Whatx2" as a single along with its music video, simultaneously announcing his signing to Warner Records.[19]
Kendrick Lamar brought him as a surprise guest to live perform "Peekaboo" during the last Inglewood concert at SoFi Stadium of the Grand National Tour, on 24 May 2025.[20]
On 10 September 2025, he was featured on Kai Cenat's Mafiathon 3 Freestyle, where he rapped over an untitled instrumental later to be revealed the one for "Hit A Nerve".[21]
On 14 November 2025, AZ Chike released the single "Hit A Nerve", along with a music video on YouTube, in which he promoted his upcoming album titled N.R.F.T.W., which was labeled multiple times through the video.[22] Eight days later he performed live during the 11th edition of Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, on November 22.[23][24]
In June 2026, AZ Chike released the single "Packed Up", produced by Hit-Boy, along with a music video.[25][26]
In August 2026, he announced the single "Look Like My Mama" featuring Tyler, the Creator,[27][28] and revealed the album cover for his album No Rest for the Wicked, abbreviated N.R.F.T.W., released on September 18th of the same year.[29][2][3] "Look Like My Mama" was released on August 28th, along with a music video directed by Stacking Memories, reenacting scenes from different films, including Napoleon Dynamite (2004), Dead Presidents (1995), Paid in Full (2002), Sinners (2025), and Men in Black (1997).[30][31] AZ Chike will headline his first solo tour in support of the album, the Monster Energy-sponsored No Rest for the Wicked Tour will last from October 5 until November 9.[32]
Personal life
[edit]AZ Chike was born in July 28, 1995, and has two younger brothers.[1][5]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Rich & Ratchet |
|
| Chike Different |
|
| I.S.W.I.L.L |
|
| Born to Be Important |
|
| Chizzle |
|
| Spooky Summer |
|
| No Rest for the Wicked |
|
Collaborative albums
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Kourtesy of Us (with Rucci) |
|
| Don't Die Yet (with LowTheGreat) |
|
Commercial mixtapes
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| My World |
|
Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Cult Up |
|
| Chike the Great |
|
| AlmightyChike (with Almighty Suspect) |
|
| FuckWaiting |
|
| Yors Truly |
|
| Gee Oh Dee |
|
| Almighty Chike 2 (with Almighty Suspect) |
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B/HH [33] | |||
| "Burn Rubber Again" | 2017 | — | Chike the Great |
| "Burn Rubber Again (Remix)" (featuring Almighty Suspect) |
— | Non-album singles | |
| "The One" | 2018 | — | |
| "Tweakin'" (with AzSwaye) |
— | ||
| "How" | — | ||
| "Strapped Up" (featuring Mike Sherm and G-Bo Lean) |
2019 | — | |
| "Shoes on My Feet" | 2020 | — | |
| "One More" | — | ||
| "Heated" (featuring Bravo the Bagchaser) |
2021 | — | |
| "Brand New" | 2022 | — | |
| "The Road" | 2024 | — | |
| "Numbers" (with Mike Sherm) |
— | ||
| "Fuck It Up" (with Bravo the Bagchaser) |
— | ||
| "Right 2" (with Rucci) |
— | ||
| "Back" (with AzSwaye and AzKilo) |
— | ||
| "Love Yo Weapons" | — | ||
| "Whatx2" | 2025 | — | |
| "Thuggin Not Clubbin" (with Peysoh) |
— | ||
| "Game Time" | — | ||
| "Start Dissin'" (with Hit-Boy, Spank Nitti James, and BabyTron) |
— | ||
| "Hit a Nerve" | — | ||
| "Get Brackin & Come Back" (with Rucci and RJMrLA) |
2026 | — | |
| "Packed Up" | — | No Rest for the Wicked | |
| "Look Like My Mama" (featuring Tyler, the Creator) |
49 | ||
| "All That Matters" (with 6lack and Leon Thomas) |
— | Love Is the New Gangsta |
Concert tours
[edit]- No Rest for the Wicked Tour (2026)[32]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "AZ Chike - Artist". newrelease.name.ng.
- 1 2 Breihan, Tom (September 18, 2026). "LA Rapper AZ Chike Releases Impressive Major Label Debut No Rest For The Wicked". Stereogum.
- 1 2 Denis, Kyle (September 22, 2026). "HOW HIP-HOP UP-AND-COMER AZ CHIKE'S DEBUT LP 'NO REST FOR THE WICKED' SURVIVED A LEAK AND SCORED CO-SIGNS FROM KENDRICK LAMAR & TYLER, THE CREATOR". Billboard.
- 1 2 Acevedo, Kai (2019-09-25). "The Break Presents: AzChike". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- 1 2 3 4 "An Interview With Rising LA Star, AzChike". Passion of the Weiss. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- 1 2 "AzChike | Yors Truly". FLAUNT. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ "AzChike's New Project 'Rich & Ratchet' Is Out Everywhere". KPWR-FM. 2019-09-25. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ Baig, Nishat (2020-03-26). "Exclusive: We Chat With Asylum's AzChike". The Knockturnal. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- 1 2 Pierre, Alphonse (2019-02-28). "The Ones: Almighty Suspect and AzChike's "Legend Killa"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ "Splice teams up with GRAMMY®-nominated Producer of the Year, Alissia". The FADER. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ Cho, Regina. "Rucci, AzChike, and Babystone Gorillas link up for "5Real" single". REVOLT. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ Saponara, Michael (2024-11-27). "Meet the Emerging California Rappers Who Appeared on Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX' Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ Diaz, Angel (2024-03-06). "ScHoolboy Q's 'Blue Lips': All 18 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ "Live Review + Photos: ScHoolboy Q featuring Devin Malik and AZCHIKE". mxdwn Music. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Diaz, Angel (2024-12-06). "AzChike Says Kendrick Lamar Already Had Him in Mind for 'Peekaboo' Feature". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ↑ A., Aron (March 27, 2025). "AZ Chike Talks Kendrick Lamar "peekaboo," Getting Roasted By ScHoolboy Q & West Coast Unity". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ↑ "AzChike On "Peakaboo" w/ Kendrick Lamar, GNX & Blue Lips Sessions, Schoolboy Q Relationship + More". YouTube. December 5, 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ↑ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (2025-02-21). "West Coast Star AZ Chike Signs With Warner Records, Drops New Single 'Whatx2'". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (May 25, 2025). "Kendrick Lamar Takes Victory Lap With SZA at Homecoming L.A. Show of 'Grand National' Tour: Concert Review". Variety. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
- ↑ Az, Chike (2025-09-10). "Az Chike Featured on Kai Cenat's Mafiathon Freestyle". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
- ↑ Az, Chike (2025-11-14). "Az Chike releases "Hit A Nerve". Also drops a music video for, 'Hit A Nerve'". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
- ↑ Williams, Aaron (2025-11-20). "Here Are The Updated Camp Flog Gnaw 2025 Set Times". Uproxx. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
- ↑ Strauss, Matthew (2025-08-21). "Tyler, the Creator, Childish Gambino, Earl Sweatshirt, and More to Play Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2025". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ↑ "Packed Up - Song by AZ Chike". HotNewHipHop. 2025-06-19.
- ↑ "AZ CHIKE LINKS WITH HIT-BOY FOR NEW WEST COAST ANTHEM "PACKED UP"". respectmyregion.com. 2025-06-22.
- ↑ "AZ Chike and Tyler, The Creator Tease New Song "LOOK LIKE MY MAMA" for August 28". ratingsgamemusic.com. 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "AZ Chike Teases Tyler, The Creator Produced 'Look Like My Mama'". antimusic.com. 2025-08-22.
- ↑ "AZ Chike Announces 'No Rest For The Wicked' Album Release Date". ratingsgamemusic.com. 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Green, Walden (August 28, 2026). "AZ Chike and Tyler, the Creator Reenact Napoleon Dynamite, Sinners in New Video". Pitchfork.
- ↑ Price, Joe (August 28, 2026). "Tyler, The Creator and AZ Chike Recreate Scenes From 'Sinners' and More in "Look Like My Mama" Video". Complex.
- 1 2 Cowen, Trace William (September 18, 2026). "AZ Chike Addresses 'Pressure From Bein' the Best' on Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX' in Song From New Album". Complex.
- ↑ "Tyler, the Creator Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2026.