AZ Chike

AZ Chike
AZ Chike in 2025
AZ Chike in 2025
Background information
Also known asAzChike
Born
Damaria Kayshawn Walker

(1995-07-28) July 28, 1995
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHip-hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2013–present
Labels
Member ofAZ Cult

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.

Early life

AZ Chike grew up in South Central 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 along 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]

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.[15]

On 10 September 2025, AZ Chike 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".[16]

On November 14, 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.[17]

On June 2026, he released the single "Packed Up", produced by Hit-Boy, along with a music video.[18][19]

On August 2026, AZ Chike announced the single "Look Like My Mama" featuring Tyler, the Creator,[20][21] and revealed the album cover for his album No Rest For The Wicked, abbreviated N.R.F.T.W., set to be released on September 18th of the same year.[22]

Personal life

AZ Chike has two younger brothers.[2]

Discography

Studio albums

  • No Rest For The Wicked (2026)
  • Don't Die Yet (2024) (with Low the Great)
  • Spooky Summer (2024)
  • CHIZZLE (2024)
  • Born to Be Important (2023)
  • I.S.W.I.L.L (2022)
  • Chike Different (2022)
  • Kourtesy of Us (2021)
  • Rich & Ratchet (2019)

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.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Az, Chike (2025-09-10). "Az Chike Featured on Kai Cenat's Mafiathon Freestyle". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ "Packed Up - Song by AZ Chike". HotNewHipHop. 2025-06-19.
  19. ↑ "AZ CHIKE LINKS WITH HIT-BOY FOR NEW WEST COAST ANTHEM "PACKED UP"". respectmyregion.com. 2025-06-22.
  20. ↑ "AZ Chike and Tyler, The Creator Tease New Song "LOOK LIKE MY MAMA" for August 28". ratingsgamemusic.com. 2025-08-21.
  21. ↑ "AZ Chike Teases Tyler, The Creator Produced 'Look Like My Mama'". antimusic.com. 2025-08-22.
  22. ↑ "AZ Chike Announces 'No Rest For The Wicked' Album Release Date". ratingsgamemusic.com. 2025-08-24.
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