Rapper Chika Reimagines ‘A Different World’ With a Queer Twist

Everyone's favorite rapper who rose to fame on social media is back with another track, and Chika is bringing the throwback vibes with her. She recently released a brand new single, "Can't Explain It," featuring R&B vet Charlie Wilson -- along with a music video -- and it's the perfect tune to snuggle up with someone to this holiday season.

The song, which samples R&B legend Tamia's "So Into You," tells the story of someone in love so much so that it's hard to explain the feels.

"The Tamia interpolation was a no-brainer," Chika tells Out. "It's the melody that spoke to me the most when I heard the beat."

The music video continues the old-school vibe as it reimagines the iconic 90s show A Different World, which is about a group of students attending an HBCU, Hillman College. Two of the show's main lead characters are Dwyane Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy), who spend the majority of the series in an on-again, off-again relationship before getting married. In Chika's recreation -- which she directed along with Shelf Junior -- there's a queer spin: Chika casts herself in the Dwayne Wayne role and is working to woo her crush, a "Whitley" of her own making.

"I think it's important for us to see Black love in all its forms," she describes, "so I used a classic couple to bring this concept to life."

2019 has been a record year for Chika. From releasing her first two singles, "No Squares" and "High Rises," to performing on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at the request of Hollywood heavyweight Lena Waithe, who was guest hosting. She also starred in her first major fashion campaign with Calvin Klein and signed a deal with Warner Records.

"My year was insane," she says. "I can't fully process it yet, so it's hard to comment. But I have grown a great deal and look forward to the takedown of 2020."

Check out the video for "Can't Explain It" below:

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