Content warning: references to suicide
Following her recent announcement that she would be stepping back from music, critically-acclaimed rapper Chika has clarified that she is no longer retiring from the industry.
In a Twitter thread posted on April 19, the Grammy-nominated rapper stated that she was alive and okay after “a very intense week”, which saw her interacting with online trolls through a series of tweets and emotional videos. “I’m not retiring,” she wrote. “After what I’ve endured in the past few days, I’m not ever allowing anything to stop me or almost take me from this ghetto ass earth.” In the same thread, Chika thanked Cardi B for her support and kindness: “You’ve always shown love to me & don’t think I could take that for granted.”
Chika followed up her initial tweets with a longer statement via a Notes app screenshot, revealing that she had been suicidal and tried to end her own life: “Paramedics broke my door down to save my life. Thank you to whomever was looking out for me that night.”
“This break I’m taking has less to do with stans, harassment and online shit. It’s a chance for me to process all of this and protect the joy I have left,” she continued. “I am fine and will be fine, I promise you.”
The rapper signed off on Twitter with two photos by the pool, shouting out Jay-Z, Hype Williams and Jay-Z’s new cannabis line, Monogram.
Chika’s initial retirement announcement came on April 11 and she was subsequently inundated with social media trolling. In response, she opened up about her mental health struggles in a video posted to Twitter, revealing that she was “working through shit” in therapy and missed the ability to use Twitter as an outlet: “I can’t say shit anymore without somebody dogpiling and making it worse.”
Chika’s latest EP ‘Once Upon A Time’, which re-imagined fairytales for a new era and featured BJ The Chicago Kid, was released on March 12. Earlier this year, she was nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist, but lost out on the night to Megan Thee Stallion.
If you or someone you know is currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, you do not need to struggle alone. These charities can offer valuable support and advice.
Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free or visit www.samaritans.org
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight every day) or visit the webchat page
Papyrus (for people under 35): Call 0800 068 41 41 or Text 07860 039967
