Chika's Here To Stay - 'Industry Games' EP Review
She’s here. The cinematic piano one would find in a Hans Zimmer score, Chika is laying it all out on the floor in the intro. “I hope this music makes you think.” 'Industry Games' is the debut album from Alamba rapper, Chika. Known as Oranicuhh by her fans on Twitter/Instagram, she has used her platform to display her talents and her thoughts from politics to music industry antics. My first introduction was her now-viral video response to the elections in 2016, which has her applying white concealer on her face and acting as if she was a white woman giving a makeup tutorial.
Her tweet was initially praised for the humor and underlying messaging but as she stated in an interview, “My video, although it was silly, was bold.” It would be this boldness that would be her main anchor throughout her music career. After garnering attention from the viral video, she started using her platform to promote body positivity and advocate for gay rights. She went viral once more in 2018 for uploading a rap entitled, “A Letter to Kanye Omari West” where she expressed her immense disappointment in the rapper after he announced his alliance with Donald Trump. She would later be invented to Jimmy Kimmel to perform a song entitled “Richey V Alabama”. She addresses the abortion laws in Alabama and reflects on the current state of America; stopping the beat to talk to the President directly. The camera zooms onto her djay’s banner, “Women’s rights are human rights. Since 1973.” That summer, she signed to Warner Bros Records and modeled for Calvin Klein.
At the end of 2019, she announced that she would be releasing her debut album in the spring of 2020 entitled, “Industry Games.” The debut is an appetizer of a project. Each track is a different sampler of what the cook is best at. “Industry Games” and “Balnecies” are indulgent tracks full of braggadocio over fine china produced by the ever-talented, Lido. “Songs About You” is a fan favorite, and rightly so. She’s clearly at the top of the mountain. She’s fully aware of her position and what it took to get there. The song is a reflection of her journey and how she manifested her current success. She’s breathing confidence; namedropping Jay Z and Diddy just as a reminder that her Hereos know who she is and admire her talents.
“Designer” is a proclamation from Chika that she wants real love, that “designer.” Expressing her disdain for fake relationships and faux friends. On, “On My Way” Chika has found her love but she’s now on tour. It’s a vulnerable song about how her success can be a crutch in making her relationship work. She’s thankful for her partner for being patient and understanding. Chika sounds smooth over emotional strings and piano runs. She ends the album with “Crown,” a gospel-seasoned, triumphant victory lap. Rapping about overcoming the difficulties of life when it doesn’t go one’s way.
“This song is for the kids with depression. The ones who’s parental expectations got them stressing.”
She is aware of her blessings and is taking time out to say thank and reminding the listener that it does get better.
Chika is a powerhouse of talent and although this isn’t a “full length” album, it is an incredible peek at what’s to come.
Watch Chika’s Tiny Desk performance
