Damaria Kayshawn Walker, known professionally as AZ Chike (born July 28, 1995), is an American rapper from South Central, Los Angeles, California. He released his debut album, "Rich & Ratchet", in 2019.
Early life.
AzChike grew up in South Central of Los Angeles, California. After high school, he worked several jobs, including one at the Sprouts Farmers Market, but quit in 2015 to pursue making music.
Career.
AzChike has been rapping since 2013. Around the same time, he and his friends formed the group, called AzCult, a four-member hip-hop collective. In 2017, he released his first solo song, "Burn Rubber Again", went viral and garnered millions of listens on SoundCloud. Shortly after releasing first solo song, he received a co-sign from Shoreline Mafia, he released his debut mixtape, "My World", and performed at the Rolling Loud. He also toured with Shoreline Mafia.
In 2019, AzChike signed with Atlantic Records, specifically its label, Machine Works, and Asylum Records. He also released his debut album, "Rich & Ratchet", and went on tour with fellow rapper 1TakeJay. Later the same year, he released a three-song extended play (EP), "AlmightyChike", with fellow rapper Almighty Suspect. One year later, in 2020, AZ Chike released "Yors Truly EP". AzChike's singles would court attention from publications such as "Pitchfork", "The Fader", and "Revolt". In 2022, AzChike released the album, "Chike Different".
In 2024, AzChike appeared as a featured artist on Schoolboy Q's album, "Blue Lips", on the song, "Movie". At the Schoolboy Q and Devin Malik's show at the Roxy, AzChike performed a 30-minute set. He performed at the Kendrick Lamar's "" on 19 June at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, where AZ Chike performed the song, "Light It Up" along with Rucci, during the first set by DJ Hed, titled the . Later the same year, he appeared as a featured artist on Lamar's album, "GNX", on the song, "Peekaboo".
On 21 February 2025, AzChike released a track, called "Whatx2", as a single, along with its music video, simultaneously announcing his signing to Warner Records.
In May 2025, East Coast hip hop rapper Joey Badass and West Coast hip hop rapper Ray Vaughn began a feud, releasing diss tracks against each other, first Vaughn with "Hoe Era", mocking Badass' group Pro Era and fellow member CJ Fly, followed by Badass with "The Finals", in which he throws shots at Vaughn's label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and its founder Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith; as well as calling out former label-mate Kendrick Lamar. The following days saw the feud escalate, with many other rappers releasing diss tracks, including AZ Chike himself, alongside Daylyt, CJ Fly, Reason, and Hitta J3, among others.
On 24 May 2025, during the third concert of Kendrick Lamar and SZA's co-headlining Grand National Tour in Inglewood, California at the SoFi Stadium, Lamar brought out AzChike to duet "Peekaboo".
Personal life.
AZ Chike has two younger brothers.
Discography.
Studio albums