AZ Chike might have the sheen of a new artist to many across the nation, but he’s been active as an artist since 2017. While some might connect the Los Angeles native to his collaborations with ScHoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar, AZ Chike is his own man, and his latest studio album, No Rest For The Wicked, is proof positive of that fact.
AZ Chike, born Damaria Walker, got his start in rapping while in high school, later forming the AZ Cult and releasing a series of mixtapes that led to his signing a Machine Works/Atlantic Records deal and releasing his debut, Rich & Ratchet, in 2019.
In 2024, Chike appeared on ScHoolboy Q’s incredible Blue Lips album with the track “Movie,” carrying the song by himself. That same year, Chike made a star-making appearance on Lamar’s stellar GNX album on the track “Peekaboo.”
Signing with Warner Records in 2025, Chike kept the momentum high as he crafted his first album for the longtime label, dropping the single “Whatx2,” along with a handful of other singles.
Fast forward to 2026, AZ Chike’s No Rest For The Wicked is an incredibly solid body of work that is unashamedly drenched in the sound of Los Angeles. We’ve got our top takeaways below.
This Is An Album For Proper Speakers
All throughout No Rest For The Wicked, Chike’s album, in short words, rides like you wouldn’t believe. The sounds are rooted in soul and funk, which might sound atypical for a West Coast act, but it’s certainly more involved than that. And what helps is that Chike’s clear-voiced and sincere delivery always sits right at the top of the mix.
Chike Enlisted Heavy Hitters On Production
The album features production from Pharrell Williams on “Lamb Truck Keys,” an early standout, and Tyler, The Creator on both “Look Like My Mama” and “The World Is Ours.”
Hit-Boy also delivered a pair of joints on “Packed Up” and the autobiographical bop “Rock Bottom,” and Sounwave delivered two with “Wonder” and Negative.”
This is no slight to the rest of the producers, such as the talented Terrace Martin and Taylor McFerrin, As If I, M-Tech, Bongo ByTheWay, Low the Great, and Sam Momberger.
AZ Chike Carries The Album Nearly By Himself
One of the more impressive feats that we noted about No Rest For The Wicked is the relative lack of features. It should be assumed that Chike probably has connections to any artist on the West Coast, but he elected to do most of the heavy lifting, with Tyler, The Creator and JMSN as the only featured artists.
The Album Has Shifting Moods, Various Themes, But Never Drags
We mentioned already that No Rest For The Wicked rides, but further than that, Chike doesn’t waste any bars on nonsense. Bigging up his hometown with his head high? That’s on deck. Introspective bars about growing up poor – that’s there as well. Saluting those who came before him? That too is present.
But above all, Chike remains the star of the show with his unrelenting snarl of a voice and lyrics that are clear-eyed and soul-piercing, all at once.
Check out AZ Chike’s new album, No Rest For The Wicked, at your preferred DSPs below.
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Photo: Getty
