Damaria Kayshawn Walker, known as AzChike (born July 28, 1995) is an American rapper from South Central,

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. He released his debut album, ''Rich & Ratchet'', in 2019.

Early life

AzChike grew up in South Central of

. After high school, he worked several jobs, including one at

Sprouts Farmers Market Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., is a supermarket chain headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The grocer offers a wide selection of natural and organic foods, including fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat, poul ...

, but quit in 2015 to pursue making music.

Career

AzChike has rapped since 2013. Around the same time, he and his friends formed the AzCult, a four-member

hip-hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hi ...

collective. In 2017, his song "Burn Rubber Again" went viral and garnered millions of listens on

SoundCloud SoundCloud is a German audio streaming service owned and operated by SoundCloud Global Limited & Co. KG. The service enables its users to upload, promote, and share audio. Founded in 2007 by Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss, SoundCloud is ...

. Shortly after, he received a co-sign from

Shoreline Mafia Shoreline Mafia is an American hip hop group based in Los Angeles, that was originally active from 2016 until 2020. Their debut mixtape, '' ShorelineDoThatShit'' (2017) garnered local success, leading to a commercial re-issue by Atlantic Records ...

, released his debut mixtape, ''My World'', and performed at

Rolling Loud Rolling Loud is an international hip hop music festival which has been held in Asia, North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. Established in 2015, it is "one of the biggest festivals in the world" according to ''Complex'', while ''Bill ...

. He also toured with Shoreline Mafia. In 2019, AzChike signed with

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over the course of its first two decades, starting from the release of its first recor ...

, specifically its Machine Works label, and

Asylum Records Asylum Records is an American record label, founded in 1971 by David Geffen and partner Elliot Roberts. It was taken over by Warner Communications (now the Warner Music Group) in 1972, and later merged with Elektra Records to become Elektra/As ...

. He also released his debut album, ''Rich & Ratchet'', and went on tour with rapper 1TakeJay. The same year, he released a three-song EP, ''AlmightyChike'', with rapper Almighty Suspect. One year later, in 2020, AzChike released ''Yors Truly EP''. From then on, AzChike's singles would court attention from publications like ''Pitchfork'', ''

The Fader ''The Fader'' is a magazine established in 1999 as an outlet for Cornerstone Agency, a marketing and public relations firm established by Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. The magazine covers music, style and culture. History and work It is owned by T ...

'', and ''Revolt''. In 2022, AzChike released the album ''Chike Different''. In 2024, AzChike was featured on

Schoolboy Q Quincy Matthew Hanley (born October 26, 1986), better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q (stylized as ScHoolboy Q), is an American rapper. He began recording in 2007, and released his first two mixtapes, ''ScHoolboy Turned Hustla'' (2008) and '' ...

's album ''Blue Lips'' on the song "Movie". At Schoolboy Q and Devin Malik's show at

The Roxy Theatre The Roxy Theatre (often just the Roxy) is a nightclub on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, owned by Lou Adler and his son, Nic. History The Roxy was opened on September 20, 1973, by Elmer Valentine and Lou Adler, along with ...

, AzChike performed a 30-minute set. He performed at

Kendrick Lamar Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, he was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first music ...

's '' The Pop Out: Ken & Friends'' in June at the

Kia Forum The Kia Forum, also known as Los Angeles Forum and formerly Great Western Forum, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Inglewood, California, United States, adjacent to Los Angeles. Located on West Manchester Boulevard, with Pincay Drive to th ...

. The same year, he appeared on

's album ''GNX'' on the song "

Peekaboo Peekaboo (also spelled peek-a-boo) is a form of play played with an infant. To play, one player hides their face, pops back into the view of the other, and says ''Peekaboo!'', sometimes followed by ''I see you!'' There are many variations: for ...

". On 21 February 2025, AzChike released "Whatx2" as a single along with its music video, simultaneously announcing his signing to

Warner Records Warner Records Inc. (known as Warner Bros. Records Inc. until 2019) is an American record label. A subsidiary of Warner Music Group, it is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on March 19, 1958, as the recorded music division ...

Personal life

AzChike has two younger brothers.

Discography

Studio albums * ''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

{{authority control Living people Rappers from Los Angeles Musicians from Los Angeles Year of birth missing (living people) West Coast hip-hop musicians 1995 births