Az Chike is giving new artists a masterclass in methods to profit from each alternative as an up-and-coming artist.
Born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles, Az Chike–born Damaria Kayshawn Walker–has been grinding nonstop since dropping his debut album, Wealthy & Ratchet, in 2019.
He’s been rapping since 2013, working a number of jobs after highschool earlier than quitting in 2015 to pursue making music full-time. He and his mates shaped the group AzCult, a four-member hip-hop collective, across the similar time. In 2017, he launched his first solo music, “Burn Rubber Once more,” which went viral and racked up hundreds of thousands of listens on SoundCloud. Shortly after, he obtained a co-sign from Shoreline Mafia, launched his debut mixtape, My World, and later toured with the LA-based Hip Hop group.
After years of placing within the work, Az Chike’s profession began to transition to the mainstream world in 2024, when he made an look on Schoolboy Q’s album, Blue Lips. Only a few months later, he was featured on Kendrick Lamar’s venture, GNX, introducing hundreds of thousands of individuals to his identify on the breakout monitor, “Peekaboo.”
Kendrick tapped loads of native LA expertise for GNX, however whereas some artists have complained about their careers not taking off following their options, Az Chike hasn’t had the identical downside. A characteristic on arguably the largest rapper on this planet’s album might be simply what a smaller artist must catapult their profession to an entire different degree, and that’s precisely what Az Chike has made positive of whereas capitalizing on his “Peekaboo” momentum. Again in February, he signed with Warner Data and launched his debut single, “Whatx2.”
One of many causes Az Chike stands out is his willingness to be susceptible. Numerous followers have fallen in love together with his persona on TikTok, watching the candid moments he posts each together with his crew, and by himself speaking to the digital camera.
The rapper was particularly candid about simply how badly he needed to carry out with Kendrick throughout his headlining reveals at SoFi Stadium throughout his Grand Nationwide Tour, posting an in-depth video about his feelings main as much as his huge second. Although loads of the hip-hop business continues to be heavy with flexing and protecting your playing cards near your chest, Az Chike opened up concerning the lengths he went to with the intention to safe the efficiency, even leaving Lamar a number of voice notes to let him understand how badly he needed to take the stage with him.
It’s solely been a yr since Az Chike appeared got here out at The Pop Out, Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth efficiency that lit up the Kia Discussion board with dozens of particular visitors. Lots has modified for the rapper in these 12 months, but it surely’s the work he put in earlier than that separates him from loads of different artists within the sport.
Throughout an interview following his Rolling Loud efficiency earlier this yr, Chike opened up about how he saved going earlier than seeing success like he has this previous yr. In keeping with the South Central native, not seeing outcomes wasn’t discouraging for him as a result of music is what he loves, so it’s not about what number of followers he has.
“You realize, that is one thing that I’m actually captivated with and one thing that I actually do. So it wasn’t a get wealthy fast scheme, or I wasn’t making an attempt to be the preferred or nothing like that. Like I do that as a result of I adore it, so simply because it’s not going my means, it doesn’t imply it’s gonna make me cease and I discover the sunshine in every part,” he instructed Revolt. “So even to the surface, if it won’t look like, oh, it’s not going like this, or he not seen like that, to me, I used to be nice, like, at any level in my profession, I can promise you, I assumed I used to be the s**t on the time. I knew [there] was work to be performed, don’t get me unsuitable, however I wasn’t, like, down and out about it. So, , once more, it’s simply, it’s simply my ardour. It’s what I’m doing. It’s what I do. So whatever the matter, in the present day, tomorrow, 10, 20, years from now, it’s nonetheless gonna be with me.”
As for what’s subsequent for Az Chike, all eyes are on his upcoming album, which he just lately stated on Instagram is 86% completed. Within the meantime, followers are nonetheless hoping for a “Peekaboo” music video–however he has loads of visuals to carry us over till then.
