East Side Queen Chikie Grainz Talks ‘Dreams Like Me’

After two years in Dancehall, upcoming artist Chikie Grainz released her debut mixtape, Queen Of The East last Sunday, January 29.  The first single off the collection, Dreams Like Me and the accompanying music video, which was directed by Marc Hugh, dropped a week earlier to some promising streaming numbers and support from the fans.

Hailing from the talent-breeding grounds of St. Thomas, Chikie (real name) could tell you about the times she has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Chronic Law, Skillibeng, and Rytikal, who all reign from the parish. Like her countrymen from the East side, she hopes to be the next big act from the community.

The song Dreams Like Me demonstrates Chikie’s fluency and originality with a narrative, she told DancehallMag, that is a reflection of the “things that has been happening to me and around me.”

We caught up with the 26-year-old Dancehall deejay so she could elaborate more on the song’s concept.

In some of the lyrics, you sing, “If you had dreams like me, you would ah pree like me, you would feel like me … ” What does that really mean?

If you had dreams like me, you would feel how I feel pressured [and feel] the need to make it in the industry …Because of my history [and] where I’m from, my family and kids relying on me to help take us out of poverty so I have to do what I do.

In the video, you unfold a paper with a star-shaped symbol drawn in red, lit candles and began reciting Bible scriptures. What does that represent?

Protection from people in the industry who are trying to stop me from succeeding.

There is footage in the video of you singing on a mic, which seems to have been taken a while back, what can you tell us about that time?

It was a competition I kept in St Thomas, 4 years ago with Skillibeng as my host, Chronic Law as my guest artist and Rytikal was my winner…I added that to remind them how ungrateful they are to me as the only female from East side that represents us.

You refer to “Grainz Nation” and “East Side” in the song, could you elaborate on these terms or tell us how they relate to you?

Grainznation is how I refer to every one who represents Chikie Grainz. East side refers to St Thomas where I was born and grow.

E syde is a record label that some artist represents in Bull Bay, they ain’t really representing St Thomas like I am.

What’s the inspiration behind your stage name, Chikie Grainz?

I love music. Music helps me mentally. When I was small, I used to feel unloved like no one cared. I started singing from 13 [and] that’s when I found out I could heal myself by expressing without anger, without hurting anyone. Then later found out It could be a career to help me in life so I never stopped singing …I kept my birth name Chikie and added Grainz to represent versatility.

What else would you like the fans to know about the song, Dreams Like Me?  

That females can sing these types of songs comfortable too, it’s not always about sex, be versatile, represent your versatility and what you’re about

Is there anything you would like to add about your music or any upcoming projects you may have?

Dreams Like Me is taken from Queen Of The East Mixtape, which is out now on my VEVO channel. This 8-track mixtape will take you trough my world, take the time out to just listen and feel my sensation in different ways. I believe if they give my music a chance or a break in Dancehall it will be one of the most listen[ed] to because of my messages and versatility.

Press play on Chikie’s new song Dreams Like Me above.