Chika: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

March 13, 2020, Abby O Neill Showing her playful side, the 23year old rapper, Chika came to the Tiny Desk chockfull of jokes and lots of flair, even bringing her sister intow to celebrate the occasion as a family affair. Chika was also the first hiphop act to anchor her set with just a Peruvian cajón instead of a full, hardhitting kit. The surprisingly strippeddown performance allowed her lyrics, with all their nuance, to take center stage and the result was remarkable. The impressive harmonies from Chika s four backup singers brought all the feels right out of the gate. Backed by a guitar melody that was both catchy and eerily haunting, Chika ripped through Industry Games, the first single and title cut to her major label, debut EP. Moving seamlessly between rap verse and melodic hooks, Chika showcased her unusual tonality, multicadence delivery and vocal range, with an effortless, doubletime lyrical bounce. These days, most hiphop artists who come to the