AZ Chike

Biography

Damaria Kayshawn Walker, better known by his stage name AZ Chike, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California. After a brief tenure with Atlantic Records, he self-released five albums before signing with Warner Records to release his seventh album, No Rest for the Wicked (2026).

Early life

AZ Chike grew up in South Central Los Angeles. After high school, he worked several jobs, including one at Sprouts Farmers Market, but quit in 2015 to pursue making music.

Career

AZ Chike has rapped since 2013. 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. He also toured along with Shoreline Mafia.
In 2019, AZ Chike signed with Atlantic Records, specifically its Machine Works label, and Asylum Records. 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, AZ Chike released Yors Truly EP. From then on, his singles would court attention from publications like Pitchfork, The Fader, and Revolt. In 2022, he released the album Chike Different.
In 2024, AZ Chike was featured on Schoolboy Q's album Blue Lips on the song "Movie". At Schoolboy Q and Devin Malik's show at The Roxy Theatre, he performed a 30-minute set. AZ Chike performed at Kendrick Lamar's The Pop Out: Ken & Friends in June at the Kia Forum. The same year, he appeared on Kendrick Lamar's album GNX on the song "Peekaboo".
On 21 February 2025, AZ Chike released "Whatx2" as a single along with its music video, simultaneously announcing his signing to Warner Records.
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.
On 10 September 2025, he 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".
On October 2025, JD Sports and New Balance teamed up with him, along with singer Amber Mark, for an exclusive limited edition sneakers release and campaign.
On 14 November 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. Eight days later he performed live during the 11th edition of Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, on November 22.
In June 2026, AZ Chike released the single "Packed Up", produced by Hit-Boy, along with a music video.
In August 2026, he announced the single "Look Like My Mama" featuring Tyler, the Creator, and revealed the album cover for his album No Rest for the Wicked, abbreviated N.R.F.T.W., released on September 18th of the same year. "Look Like My Mama" was released on August 28th, along with a music video directed by Stacking Memories, reenacting scenes from different films, including Napoleon Dynamite (2004), Dead Presidents (1995), Paid in Full (2002), Sinners (2025), and Men in Black (1997). AZ Chike will headline his first solo tour in support of the album, the Monster Energy-sponsored No Rest for the Wicked Tour will last from October 5 until November 9.

Personal life

AZ Chike was born in July 28, 1995, and has two younger brothers.