18 | PHOTOGRAPH BY Samuel Trotter
TWO YEARS AGO, Jane Chika Oranika posted a
Twitter video of a freestyle rap verse admonishing
Kanye West’s political antics — over West’s own
“Jesus Walks” beat, no less. It’s been viewed more
than 6 million times. But the 22-year-old Montgom-
ery, Alabama, native says that even if she hadn’t
gone viral for her lyrics, she would’ve found anoth-
er way to get her activism across to the world.
“Whatever occupation I landed in, I would’ve
used that position to stand up for what I believe
in,” she says. “Yes, hip-hop is wonderful, but on
a human level, I’d always have to say something.”
Born to Nigerian immigrants and raised in the
South, Chika describes her upbringing as a black,
queer, plus-size woman as “no joke.” As a teenager,
she got in trouble in school for putting up a “Black
Lives Matter” flag in the hallway.
“I remember the shift between my
mom being mad about that to her
understanding,” Chika recalls. “I
explained to her that I felt like my
dad could’ve been Eric Garner.”
Chika got into Berklee College
of Music but couldn’t afford tui-
tion; after a year at the University
of Alabama, she dropped out
to pursue music full time. Soon
every one from Cardi B to Wale
was sharing her videos, even be-
fore she signed to Warner Records last summer.
Her music often contains socially conscious
messages, like in the autobiographical “High Rises,”
but she’s also got a knack for tender love songs,
such as the Charlie Wilson-featuring “Can’t Explain
It,” which follows her path from nervously crushing
on a girl at a party to finding her confidence as a
lover and partner. Industry Games, her upcoming
debut EP, will include next to no collaborations —
just Chika, plain and simple. “I’m super excited for
everyone to see a little bit more into my brain and
my heart,” she says. “I’m going to look back on it
and be like, ‘Wow, we did that, and look where we
are now.’ ” CLAIRE SHAFFER
Chika: True
to Herself, No
Matter What
“Yes, hip-hop is
wonderful, but
on a human
level, I’d alwayshave to stand
up for whatI believe in.”
Chika in Los Angeles in January
Opening Act