CHAII Releases ‘Ride Or Die’ Single + Video
NZ-Persian artist and producer CHAII kicks off a bold new era with Ride Or Die; a genre-bending, mood-driven track fusing electronic, alt-pop and hip-hop into something entirely her own. Built around the lyric “I’m ready to ride or die with you,” the single is a direct invitation to her listeners, both existing and new, to step into a stronger, more evolved version of yourself and go all in together.
The self-directed music video brings that world to life through a distinctly Persian visual identity. Drawing on CHAII’s own upbringing working in her family’s rug store, the video boasts Persian rugs, wrapped cars and big driving energy; the latter being the ultimate vision for the song. A DIY production made with a close-knit crew, it’s intimate, intentional and completely connected to the music.
Ride Or Die follows 2024’s debut album Safar which not only earned a highly coveted performance slot and 6 nominations at last year’s 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards – the highest of any artist and culminated in a win for Best Engineered Release – but also saw CHAII travel the world, performing the record at SXSW in Austin, LA School Night, New Colossus Festival in NYC and MBC Persia TV in London.
Confidentially, Ride Or Die introduces upcoming sophomore album Very Important Persian, due later this year. The album will be supported with an extensive run of tour dates including AU + NZ across Oct/Nov with further international dates TBA.
CHAII has built a reputation for whip-smart lyricism, genre-defying artistry and a distinct creative vision that spans music and visual storytelling. The first-ever NZ Spotify RADAR artist, her music has featured in FIFA, Tony Hawk, Marvel’s Ms Marvel, Inventing Anna, Wellmania and Netflix’s The Old Guard, alongside campaigns for Apple, FENDI, KIA and Coca-Cola. From her debut single South through EP Lightswitch to album Safar, CHAII has always made music that immerses you in a world – and Ride Or Die is no different.
