Chika Says She’s Retiring From Music Amidst Online Harassment

Grammy-nominated rapper Chika posted a short message on Twitter, citing the reasons she is retiring from making music.

Despite a highly-anticipated debut and Grammy nomination, Chika says she’s decided to step away from the music industry, due to a combination of depression and invasive fans. On Saturday, the 24-year-old rapper posted a short message on Twitter, citing the reasons she intends to retire.

Chika earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist after years of viral moments and critical acclaim for her work, which took aim at political events like Alabama’s 2019 abortion bill. Despite the success, she appears to be taking a step back for the time being.

“Today, I shared that I was thinking of retiring,” she wrote, “because because the mental toll being in the industry has taken on me is not something you bounce back from easily. 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.”

Trigger Warning: Suicidal language is used in the following video

“When you have depression, the negative self talk you have towards yourself is deafening,” she continued. “Now imagine a slew of weirdos dog-piling 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. With that said, I’m out. If it doesn’t work, i’ll try again. Idc. Have fun. I never liked it here anyway.”

In recent years, artists like Noname and Summer Walker have contemplated retirement after early success, given intrusive fans and a generally stressful work environment.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.