Rapper Chika Retiring Because of the Mental Toll of the Music Industry
Grammy nominated rapper Chika is retiring due to the "mental toll" the music industry has ensued on her mentally and emotionally. The 24-year-old also admitted she struggles with thoughts of suicide.
In a candid Twitter post on Saturday (April 10), Chika, born Jane Chika Oranika, shared her feelings on music and cyber bullying with a note titled, "It’s really cool watching the world not give a f*ck and paint you as a villain.
She also mentioned those who rejoice in the "decline of my mental health."
"The negative self talk you have towards yourself is deafening. Now imagine a slew of weirdos dogpiling on top of thoughts you already have to fight off yourself. It’s not f*cking cool, it’s not ‘trolling’ or ‘stan culture,’ you’re pushing people to a point of no return," she tweeted.
The Alabama native went on to reveal her bouts with depression.
"I’ve told my team, I’ve told my therapist, I've told friends and acquaintances. Today I told Twitter. what followed was a hoard of psychotic fans rejoicing in the decline of my mental health, harassing me as if I spoke to them first.”
Chika went on to tweet her retirement on Twitter.
In a series of quoted tweets, fellow rapper Cardi B offered her support to Chika, encouraging her not to retire despite the online trolls.
Chika, who signed to Warner Records in 2019, was named in XXL‘s 2020 Freshman Class. She also earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2021.