Chika has released a new six-track EP just in time for the Grammys on March 14.
‘Once Upon a Time’, which features BJ The Chicago Kid and 30 Roc, sees the Alabama-born rapper reimagine fairy tales for a new era and underrepresented communities: “No heroes inside a book look like me”.
Chika lays down a gauntlet on opener ‘Fairy Tales’, declaring “Let’s make a couple hits for all the kids that need a symbol“. ‘Hickory Dickory’ follows suit, jittery hi-hat triplets replacing the ticking of a clock, as she recounts her childhood dreams of making it and being “remembered like Biggie and Pac”.
Meanwhile, on the sultry trap track ‘Cinderella, Pt.1’ Chika positions herself as Prince Charming rather than “Ella-D”, rolling up a blunt and preparing to approach, before she switches to a queer slow jam on Part 2: “No agenda, you love blindly“.
Earlier this week, Chika released a cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘No Future’ as part of a Spotify Singles series for Grammy nominees. The rapper is nominated for Best New Artist and will be performing at the ceremony on Sunday (March 14). CHIKA is also up for Outstanding New Artist at the NCAAP Awards (March 22-25) and Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist at the GLAAD Awards in April.
Listen to the ‘Once Upon A Time’ EP in full below.
