Chika’s debut EP on a major label, “Industry Games”, was released in 2020. She was a member of XXL’s Freshman Class of 2020, and was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2021 GRAMMYs.
MAD
Chika Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Perpetual chip on my shoulder
I'm tired of fakin' this shit like a poser
Attention is lost in a second
These battles are endless, I'm built like a soldier
Got women who tend to my issues
Just bring me some tissues if you gon' come over
Might regret this shit when I'm older
My enemies caught in a whirlwind, my ego the size of a boulder (boulder)
I'm hopin' to watch as the world end, I'm a witness who lost they Jehovah
And I'm smokin' a blunt with a pearled end, I got higher to feel a bit closer
I'm the image of fired and tired, I been the example, put me on a poster
I think I may be too raw for this life
Dreamin' all day make it darker at night
And then stayin' awake get me tossed into fights
And when I find my footin', they tossin' a knife
Bad girl, really, mad girl on the low
Make a sad girl get a bag off of no hope
And then after, I ask for a box and a rope
And I hear an applause as I cough and I choke
Perpetual chip on my shoulder
I'm tired of fakin' this shit like a poser
Attention is gone in a second
These battles are endless, I'm built like a soldier
Tell the women who tend to my issues
Just bring me some tissues if you gon' come over
And a bottle of liquor make therapy quicker
I'll regret this shit when I'm older
I've written about all the good times
I've sung a few songs of the bad
I lie to myself that I'm happy (happy)
Then after, I feel I've been had (had)
I ask, what the price of my peace is
If I can exploit it to cop a new bag
Y'all met me before, I was angry
But excuse me, I'm 'bout to get mad
Excuse me, I'm 'bout to get mad
Excuse me, I'm 'bout to get, 'bout to get
Hol' up
Pardon me, I'm gettin' pissed
And I don't give a fuck what y'all think about it
'Cause y'all be mistakin' my trauma for drama
And don't give a fuck 'less I sing about it (sing about it)
My nigga, I been knew this shit was transactional
Loner for life, that's the thing about it
I'm already gone, I done been an addict
I don't want your prayers, I've already had it
I'm already sick, just asymptomatic
'Cause if I don't hide it, I seem dramatic
From cryin' to smilin', that shit is magic
Someone give me an Oscar for illest actress
I'll be a symbol for hidden sadness that is doomed to come
It get really tragic just to give your all in the midst of madness
But what really count is how thick your cash is (thick your cash is)
Perpetual chip on my shoulder
I'm tired of fakin' this shit like a poser
My message in lost in the moment
Blown up in my face, hand grenade, I'm a soldier
Next time I'm out gettin' my toes done
I'll ask if it come with a tag
If you think before I was angry
You don't wanna see me get mad
In the song "MAD" by Chika, the lyrics convey feelings of internal turmoil, conflict, and a struggle with one's emotions and identity. The artist describes carrying a perpetual chip on her shoulder, indicating a constant sense of resentment and readiness for confrontation. She expresses exhaustion from pretending to be someone she's not, feeling like a poser in her interactions with others. The fleeting nature of attention and the endless battles she faces are highlighted, metaphorically likening herself to a resilient soldier facing constant challenges.
Chika then delves into the complexities of her relationships, particularly with women who are there to support her through her issues. She metaphorically references using liquor as a form of self-medication or therapy, acknowledging that she may come to regret these coping mechanisms in the future. The lyrics also touch upon themes of ego, with the artist describing her ego as the size of a boulder and hinting at a disillusionment with religious beliefs.
The artist's internal struggles are further explored as she questions the authenticity of her own happiness and grapples with feeling deceived by her own emotions. Chika reflects on the cost of her inner peace and the ways in which she may use external possessions as a temporary distraction. There's a sense of building anger and frustration, as she declares her readiness to get mad and dismisses others' perception of her trauma as mere drama. The lyrics powerfully depict the artist's defiance and refusal to conform to societal expectations, particularly when it comes to expressing her emotions and experiences.
Chika also delves into themes of loneliness, addiction, and the pressure to maintain a facade of strength despite internal struggles. She juxtaposes moments of vulnerability with a facade of strength, referencing her inner turmoil as a hidden sadness that may eventually come to light. The reference to "thick cash" hints at a materialistic society that values wealth over mental well-being, highlighting the struggles of balancing personal authenticity with societal pressures. The song culminates in a declaration of impending anger, signaling a breaking point for the artist and a refusal to continue suppressing her true emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Perpetual chip on my shoulder
Constantly carrying a burden of past grievances and issues
I'm tired of fakin' this shit like a poser
I'm exhausted from pretending to be someone I'm not
Attention is lost in a second
Easily overlooked and ignored
These battles are endless, I'm built like a soldier
Constantly facing challenges like a warrior
Got women who tend to my issues
Have people around me to take care of my problems
Just bring me some tissues if you gon' come over
Come prepared to comfort me because I'm in need
A bottle of liquor make therapy quicker
Using substances to cope with emotional pain
Might regret this shit when I'm older
Aware that my coping mechanisms may have long-term consequences
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Andre Robertson, Andrew Gradwohl Jr., Carl Taylor, Jane Chika Oranika, Derek Dixie, Derelle Rideout, Zachary Perry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@innerrhymes7454
Chika does not deserve to be this underrated, man, I want her to pop off so bad.
@malkia5581
😢same and I've been at it since 2018😭😭
@rellcol4797
This beat is nasty 😊
@wordplaii
Amazing. Inspiring. Ambitious. Liberating. Everything I needed after my last week of going through hell. Thank you. I hope you see this.
@Dparrey
I'm here for it. It's healthy to be angry sometimes and we're not less for it.
@starrcooperagbeko6869
Chika is an amazing lyricist! So glad to hear new music from her😍
@hlehlepargo9845
GO TF OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@TMYPiscesSunandMoonRising5548
Ohhhhh weeeee, this how you get a Friday morning started 🤯🔥🔥🔥🔥
@DianaHernandez-ux7ow
Fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@HazDynasty
this is soo tuffff omg