Chika
Chika in 2020
Chika in 2020
Background information
Birth nameJane Chika Oranika
Born (1997-03-09) March 9, 1997 (age 26)
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2017–present
LabelsWarner[2]

Jane Chika Oranika (born March 9, 1997),[3] known mononymously as Chika (often stylized CHIKA), is an American rapper. She first garnered attention on social media before signing to Warner Records in 2019. The following year, she was included in XXL's 2020 Freshman Class and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

Early life

Chika was born in Montgomery, Alabama.[4] Because of her interest in music and slam poetry, she attended Booker T. Washington Magnet High School. She was accepted at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, but due to tuition costs, she enrolled at the University of South Alabama instead. She dropped out after her first year to focus on a music career.[5]

Career

Music

2016–2018: Social media career and freestyles

Chika first gained widespread attention following an Instagram post from November 9, 2016, the day after the 2016 United States presidential election. In the video, she covers herself in pale foundation, saying "African-American? Never felt that, never heard of that, never tasted that, never smelled that". Early in 2017, she created the #EgoChallenge, using the Beyoncé song of that title to promote body positivity and self-love. That year she also released a Pride-themed remix of Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You".[6][7][8] On June 4, 2017 she released an independent EP of poetry called Full Bloom.[9]

In 2018, Chika went viral for a freestyle addressed at Kanye West over West's own "Jesus Walks" beat. The freestyle concerned West's support for Donald Trump and caught the attention of Jada Pinkett Smith, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Erykah Badu.[10] She later released a freestyle dedicated to Nia Wilson.[11] In August 2018, she featured on Rachel Crow's single "Coulda Told Me".[12]

2019–2021: Warner Records and Industry Games

Chika released her debut single, "No Squares", in April 2019. The following month, at the invitation of guest host Lena Waithe, she performed "Richey v. Alabama", another of her songs, on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[13] The song dealt with the state of Alabama's 2019 abortion bill and was named for a friend of Chika's.[14] That summer, she signed a deal with Warner Records.[15] Chika released two more singles as a lead artist in 2019: "High Rises"[16][17] and "Can't Explain It" featuring Charlie Wilson.[18][19] That year, she also featured on JoJo's "Sabotage", which reached number 18 on the Billboard US R&B Digital Downloads.[20][21]

In December 2019, Chika announced that she was working on her debut extended play titled Industry Games.[22] On January 23, 2020, Chika confirmed the title and posted snippets of music from the EP, telling followers the release was two months away.[23][24] She released the EP's titular single on February 18.[25] The EP was released on March 12, 2020.[26] On August 11, 2020, Chika was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.[27] She was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.[28] and a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist.[29] On March 11, 2021 Chika announced that her second EP Once Upon A Time would be released at midnight.[30]

On April 10, 2021, Chika posted a widely publicized note to her Twitter account explaining her decision to retire from music while reflecting on the "mental toll" that life as a musician in the spotlight had taken on her health. In an Instagram Live session in which she interacted with fans following her initial retirement announcement, she criticized "trolls" or "stans" who "dogpile on top of people's other mental problems and make them worse." She specifically cited the effects of online abuse on her ongoing battle with depression on her decision, although she left a small possibility for a comeback in her final statement.[31][32]

2023–present: Samson: The Album

On July 7, 2023, Chika announced her full-length debut, Samson: The Album, by sharing lead single "DEMIGOD." The full album was released later that month.[33]

Films

Chika had a role as a high school student in the 2020 Netflix Original film Project Power. She also contributed the track "My Power".[34][35]

Fashion

In May 2019, Chika featured in a Calvin Klein #MyCalvins advertisement,[36] also writing poetry for the brand's S/S 2019 campaign.[15] That same year, she participated in a Business of Fashion panel at Paris Fashion Week and posed for the December cover of Teen Vogue.[4][37] She was recognized by Business of Fashion as one of the top 500 people shaping the fashion industry in 2019.[38]

Personal life

Chika is the youngest of her Nigerian-American parents' three daughters. She is of Igbo descent and was raised in the Pentecostal faith.[4]

Chika is bisexual and addresses her sexuality in her music and videos.[39] In her video for "Can't Explain It", she put her own queer spin on A Different World, one of her favorite sitcoms.[40]

On May 30, 2020, Chika was briefly detained by police at a Los Angeles protest following the police murder of George Floyd. She addressed the incident on social media the following day, emphasizing the peaceful nature of the demonstration prior to police involvement.[41]

Chika shared her mental health struggles in a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone magazine published alongside the release of Samson: The Album. She described how the project had been influenced by her experiences processing trauma and disclosed that that she had been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder the year prior.[42]

Discography

Chika discography
EPs4
Singles19

Studio albums

Title Details
Samson: The Album

Extended plays

Title Details
Full Bloom // A Poetry EP[44]
  • Released: June 4, 2017[9]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Industry Games
  • Released: March 12, 2020[45]
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Spotify Singles
  • Released: March 9, 2021
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Once Upon a Time
  • Released: March 12, 2021
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Album
"xFaded"[46] 2017 non-album singles
"Juke Jam" (Cover)[47]
"Love Galore" (Cover)[48]
"(Get You)" Cover[49]
"Lovin' You" (Poem)[50]
"Spoiled" (Cover)[51]
"Smile"[52]
"Monsters"[53]
"Congratulations" (Cover)[54]
"Want Me"[55] 2018
"KOD" (Remix)[56]
"No Squares" 2019
"High Rises"
"Can't Explain It"
(featuring Charlie Wilson) 		2020
"Industry Games" Industry Games
“U Should” non-album singles
“My Power (from Project Power)”
"FWB" Once Upon a Time
"Too Much Sun in LA" 2021 Non-album single
"Requiem for a Dream" 2023 Samson: The Album
"Truth or Dare"
(with Freddie Gibbs)
"Demigod"

As featured artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US R&B Dig.
"Coulda Told Me"
(Rachel Crow featuring Chika) 		2018 — non-album singles
"Sabotage"
(JoJo featuring Chika) 		2019 18[21]
"CHORE"
(Chelsea Peretti featuring Chika) 		2020 —
"Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate"
(Stevie Wonder featuring Rapsody, Cordae, Chika and Busta Rhymes) 		2020 —

Music videos

Title Year Director
"No Squares" 2019 Jack Piatt
"High Rises" Cierra "Sh00ter" Glaude[15]
"Can't Explain It"
(featuring Charlie Wilson) 		Top Shelf Jr., Chika[57]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2020 Project Power Akeela
2023 Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop Herself [58]
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2022 The Hair Tales Herself

Awards and nominations

Organization Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Grammy Awards 2021 Best New Artist – Nominated [59]
NAACP Image Awards 2021 Outstanding New Artist "High Rises" Nominated [60]
GLAAD Media Awards 2021 Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist Industry Games Won [61]

References

  1. ^ Wilkinson, James. "CHIKA on Apple Music - Artist Bio". Apple Music. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  2. ^ "Warner Records Press | Chika".
  3. ^ Chika [@oranicuhh] (March 10, 2017). "okay so, i turned 20 yesterday & i wanted to do a countdown rap from 20 all the way to 1. it was kinda hard. hope you like it, though! pic.twitter.com/sxouE3y5VT" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ a b c Wagner, Lindsay Peoples (December 3, 2019). "Designer Kerby Jean-Raymond and Rapper Chika on Cancel Culture and Staying Grounded in the Cult of Celebrity". Teen Vogue. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  5. ^ Specker, Lawrence (July 9, 2019). "Breakout Alabama rapper Chika shares her 'origin story'". AL.com.
  6. ^ Traore, Jacqueline (June 14, 2017). "This Nigerian-American Rapper Turned Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' Into a Pride Anthem and We're Here For It". OkayAfrica.
  7. ^ Thomas, Chris (June 14, 2017). "Chika Transformed Ed Sheeran's Song Into a 'Gay as Hell' Pride Anthem". Out.
  8. ^ Kaufman, Gil (June 15, 2017). "Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' Reworked by Rapper Chika as Pride Anthem: Listen". Billboard.
  9. ^ a b "full bloom. by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  10. ^ Lang, Cady (April 10, 2019). "Why Chika, the Rapper Who Went Viral for Calling Out Kanye, Wants to 'Bring Back What's Real' to Hip Hop". Time.
  11. ^ Davis, Rachaell (July 27, 2018). "Rapper Chika Pens A Tribute To Nia Wilson That You Have To Hear To Believe". Essence.
  12. ^ BWW News Desk (September 10, 2018). "Rachel Crow Releases Confident New Video COULDA TOLD ME ft. Rapper CHIKA". Broadway World.
  13. ^ Amed, Imran (October 16, 2019). "What Chika Is Teaching Fashion". Business of Fashion.
  14. ^ Elsesser, Paloma (September 18, 2019). "how rapper chika oranika turned a kanye diss into a thriving career". i-D. Vice.
  15. ^ a b c Warner Records (June 28, 2019). "Chika signs to Warner Records" (PDF) (Press release). Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Williams, Aaron (July 16, 2019). "Why Chika Is One Of Cardi B's Favorite Up-And-Coming Rappers — And Why She'll Be Yours, Too". Uproxx.
  17. ^ "Chika Continues to Climb With New Song "High Rises" from Upcoming EP". Gehen Press. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  18. ^ Delgado, Sara (November 22, 2019). "Chika's New Music Video Is a Heartwarming Queer Love Story with a '90s Spin". Teen Vogue.
  19. ^ CourtneyB (January 24, 2020). "Alabama Rapper and 'Kanye West Critic' Chika Releases New Video + Freestyle". The Source.
  20. ^ Aniftos, Rania (October 25, 2019). "JoJo Wonders if She'll 'Sabotage' Love in New Single Featuring CHIKA". Billboard.
  21. ^ a b "CHIKA Sabotage Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  22. ^ Teen Vogue (December 3, 2019). Chika Creates the Playlist of Her Life – via MSN Lifestyle.
  23. ^ Chika [@oranicuhh] (January 23, 2020). "The name of my EP is *drumroll* Industry Games" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Chika [@oranicuhh] (January 23, 2020). "a glimpse into my mind. this internet shit has been a ride and a half, but it was never my final destination. i used to post out of necessity. telling myself it would pay off. and it has. and now, here we are, 2 months out from my debut project. i hope you're still here. 💜💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/fUwT2159mO" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "Chika's 'Industry Games': Listen | Billboard". www.billboard.com. February 18, 2020.
  26. ^ "Chika Is Not Here To Play Any Of Music's 'Industry Games'". NPR.org.
  27. ^ Cline, Georgette (August 11, 2020). "XXL 2020 FRESHMAN CLASS REVEALED". XXL. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  28. ^ "Chika on her hometown, her competition, and her Best New Artist nomination". EW.com.
  29. ^ "Alabama is all over NAACP Image Award nominations". al. February 2, 2021.
  30. ^ "Chicka on Twitter: "EP 2 ONCE UPON A TIME midnight"". Twitter. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  31. ^ Giardina, Henry (April 12, 2021). "CHIKA Announces Retirement, Citing "Mental Toll" of Music Industry". them. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  32. ^ "Chika Says She's Retiring Because of the 'Mental Toll' of the Music Industry". Complex. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  33. ^ Fu, Eddie (July 7, 2023). "Chika Announces New Album SAMSON, Shares "DEMIGOD": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  34. ^ "Chika Drops 'My Power' from Netflix Film 'Project Power'". Rolling Stone. August 14, 2020.
  35. ^ "Chika's impact more than a cameo in 'Project Power'". August 11, 2020.
  36. ^ Hargrove, Channing (May 17, 2019). "Rapper Chika Addresses Critics Of Her Body Positive Calvin Klein Campaign". Refinery29.
  37. ^ Ford, Jennifer (December 4, 2019). "Hairstylist Lacy Redway Created A Braided Crown For Chika 'The New Queen Of The Rap Game'". Essence.
  38. ^ "Chika – BoF 500 – The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry". Business of Fashion. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  39. ^ @oranicuhh (March 17, 2020). "1.) I'm bisexual 2.) I'm not even remotely butch 3.) There is a specific dick I am referring to" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Daw, Stephen (November 26, 2019). "Chika Reimagines 'A Different World' to Reflect Black, Queer Love in 'Can't Explain It' Video". Billboard.
  41. ^ Peters, Mitchell. "Chika Chronicles Her Detainment While Protesting George Floyd's Death in L.A.: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  42. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr. "Chika Can Explain Everything". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  43. ^ Gonzalez, Alex (July 7, 2023). "Chika Channels The Energy Of A 'Demigod' On Her Confident New Single". Uproxx. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  44. ^ "full bloom // a poetry EP by CHIKA". SoundCloud. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  45. ^ Duboff, Josh (January 14, 2020). "The 10 Biggest Rising Talents in Hollywood". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  46. ^ "xFaded by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  47. ^ "Juke Jam (cover) by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  48. ^ "Love Galore (Cover) by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  49. ^ "Get You (Cover) by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  50. ^ "Lovin' You (Poem) by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  51. ^ "Spoiled (cover) by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  52. ^ "Smile by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  53. ^ "Monsters by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  54. ^ "Congratulations by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  55. ^ "Want Me by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  56. ^ "KOD (Remix) by CHIKA". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  57. ^ "CHIKA - Can't Explain It (feat. Charlie Wilson) [Official Music Video]" – via www.youtube.com.
  58. ^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (July 26, 2023). "Watch the First Trailer for Netflix's New Documentary Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  59. ^ "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". Grammy.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  60. ^ Davis, Clayton (February 2, 2021). "Viola Davis, Tyler Perry and Regina King Up for Entertainer of the Year at 2021 NAACP Image Awards". Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  61. ^ "Disclosure, Schitt's Creek, Sam Smith, Happiest Season, I May Destroy You, CHIKA, Veneno, Star Trek: Discovery, The Boys in the Band, The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo among award recipients at the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. April 8, 2021. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
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