Chika
Rapper
Since her video calling out Kanye West’s politics went viral in 2018, the buzzed-about rapper artist has used her creative platform to reiterate the socio-cultural origins of hip-hop, and starred in an ad campaign for Calvin Klein.
Jane Chika Oranika is a rapper who rose to fame when her video “A Letter to Kanye Omari West” went viral in 2018, criticising West for his public support of Donald Trump and endorsement of political commentator Candace Owens. She released her debut single “No Squares” in April 2019 and has garnered support from the likes of Erykah Badu, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Naomi Campbell .
Chika grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and started writing poetry, singing and rapping when she was in middle school, having also taught herself to play guitar in elementary school. Despite earning a place at Berklee College of Music, Chika turned down the offer and dropped out of college, moving to Brooklyn instead to pursue a career in music.
Since her debut single was released in 2019, which saw her booked for the Jimmy Kimmel show, Chika has used her platform to advocate for greater inclusivity within the male-dominated rap and hip-hop music scene.
In 2019, Chika featured in Calvin Klein ’s #MyCalvins campaign, telling Refinery29, “I think it opens up the floor for a conversation and dialogue regarding media representation and diversity. Bodies of different shapes and sizes shouldn’t be censored or hidden. […] This was a great move for Calvin Klein and the industry as a whole.”
VITAL STATISTICS
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What Chika Is Teaching Fashion
The self-described ‘big and black, gay and vocal’ rapper from Montgomery, Alabama, went viral for taking Kanye West to task for supporting Donald Trump. Here, she shares her life story and critiques fashion’s attempts at inclusivity.
What Chika Is Teaching Fashion
The self-described ‘big and black, gay and vocal’ rapper from Montgomery, Alabama, went viral for taking Kanye West to task for supporting Donald Trump. Here, she shares her life story and critiques fashion’s attempts at inclusivity.
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The designer Kerby Jean-Raymond took BoF and founder Imran Amed to task on social media this week, criticising what he saw as the publication’s shallow approach to inclusivity. His comments found support among a diverse group of fashion insiders.
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The designer Kerby Jean-Raymond took BoF and founder Imran Amed to task on social media this week, criticising what he saw as the publication’s shallow approach to inclusivity. His comments found support among a diverse group of fashion insiders.
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Valentino's Pierpaolo Piccioli: On Inclusivity
The creative director of the Italian luxury house has embedded diversity into the its creative vision.
Valentino's Pierpaolo Piccioli: On Inclusivity
The creative director of the Italian luxury house has embedded diversity into the its creative vision.
Introducing the #BoF500 Class of 2019
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Introducing the #BoF500 Class of 2019
In advance of tonight's annual BoF 500 gala at Paris Fashion Week, The Business of Fashion is proud to reveal the latest members of the #BoF500, a community of people shaping the global fashion industry that grows stronger over time.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
