Chief Keef, born Keith Farrelle Cozart on August 15, 1995, is an American rapper and record producer from Chicago's South Side. He started making music as a teenager, gaining attention in the early 2010s with his mixtapes. Known as a pioneer of the drill music subgenre, he played a big role in bringing it to mainstream audiences.
In 2012, his mixtape Back from the Dead featured the breakout single "I Don’t Like" with Lil Reese, which became a local hit and entered the Billboard Hot 100. This success sparked a bidding war, leading him to sign with Interscope Records. His next single, "Love Sosa," earned a quintuple platinum certification and became one of his most iconic tracks. Both songs were featured on his debut studio album, Finally Rich (2012), which received moderate commercial and critical success. This album remains his only major label release.
Chief Keef later released independent projects like Bang 3 (2015), Bang 3, Pt. 2 (2015), 4Nem (2021), and Almighty So 2 (2024). These albums consistently entered the Billboard 200, showcasing his staying power in the music industry. His collaborations with other artists, such as "Bean (Kobe)" with Lil Uzi Vert and "All the Parties" with Drake, brought him more Billboard Hot 100 success.
Known as a key figure in Chicago drill, Chief Keef has been praised by critics for shaping the genre's sound and culture. Rolling Stone described him as the embodiment of drill music, and Stereogum called him a "modern rap folk hero." His life and music are often tied to his involvement with the Black Disciples, a major Chicago gang, which adds to his controversial legacy.
Chief Keef remains an influential figure in rap, with a career marked by innovation, resilience, and impact on hip-hop culture.
