Keith Farrelle Cozart, better known by his stage name Chief Keef, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in Chicago's South Side, he began his recording career as a teenager and initially garnered regional attention and praise for his mixtapes in the early 2010s. Cozart is often credited with popularizing the hip hop subgenre drill for mainstream audiences, and is considered a progenitor of the genre. Stereogum has referred to Cozart as a "modern rap folk hero". Chief Keef is also considered one of the most prominent Black Disciples members of his generation. Sociologist R. L'Heureux Lewis-McCoy described Chief Keef’s mentality as a member, "Chicago’s Black Disciples is central to who he is and who he should be".
"I Don't Like" is a song by American rapper Chief Keef featuring fellow American rapper Lil Reese. Produced by Young Chop, it was released on March 6, 2012. The song was later remixed for the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album Cruel Summer.
Back from the Dead is the fifth mixtape by American hip hop recording artist Chief Keef. The mixtape was produced by Young Chop and hosted by DJ Victoriouz and DJ Moondawg. It was released on March 12, 2012. A remastered version hosted by DJ Hustlenomics was released on March 14, 2012 on iTunes. The mixtape features guest appearances from Lil Reese, Soulja Boy, King Louie, SD, Johnny May Cash and Yale Lucciani.
Finally Rich is the debut studio album by American rapper Chief Keef. It was released on December 18, 2012 by Glory Boyz Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Reese, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Master P, French Montana, and Fat Trel, while production was mainly handled by Keef's longtime affiliate Young Chop.
Tyree Lamar Pittman, better known by his stage name Young Chop, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. In 2012, he gained widespread recognition within the American hip hop community for producing Chief Keef's hits "I Don't Like", "Love Sosa", and "3Hunna". He released his first studio album Precious in 2013, established his own label, Chop Squad Records, and released the album Still the following year. Young Chop, with Chief Keef, the late Fredo Santana, and others, belong to the Chicago collective called GBE, making drill music in which they generally rap about drug dealing, weapons, and their lifestyles.
Derrick Antonio Coleman, known professionally as Fredo Santana, was an American rapper. The older cousin of rapper Chief Keef, Santana began recording music in 2011, releasing a series of mixtapes throughout 2012 and 2013.
Drill is a subgenre of hip hop music that originated in Chicago in the early 2010s. It is sonically similar to the trap music subgenre and lyrically similar to the gangsta rap subgenre. Early drill artists are noted for their explicit, confrontational style of lyricism and association with crime in Chicago, especially the Black Disciples and Gangster Disciples. The genre progressed into the American mainstream in 2012 following the success of pioneering rappers like Chief Keef, Lil Reese, Lil Durk, Fredo Santana, G Herbo, Lil Bibby and King Louie, who had many local fans and a significant internet presence alongside producer Young Chop. Other rappers, such as Edai, L'A Capone, RondoNumbaNine, SD, FBG Duck, Lil JoJo and producer Leek-E-Leek also contributed to the early drill scene. The growing fanbase sparked major label interest, leading to deal negotiations and signings.
The discography of American rapper Chief Keef consists of five studio albums, four extended plays, forty mixtapes, and twenty-eight singles. Chief Keef released his first studio album Finally Rich in 2012, which contained several successful singles, including "I Don't Like", "Hate Bein' Sober", and "Love Sosa". The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Billboard Rap chart. In 2013 he was featured on several hit songs by other rappers. In 2014 he released his mixtape Back from the Dead 2, which was critically acclaimed. In 2015 he was featured on Travis Scott's debut album Rodeo on the song "Nightcrawler". He later released the album Bang 3 in two parts. Following this Chief Keef decided go on a one-year hiatus. In 2017, he released three mixtapes and then released the album Dedication. He then released more mixtapes in 2018. In 2019, he released his collaborative album with Zaytoven called GloToven which has a sole feature from Lil Pump. He then went on a hiatus for around 2 years, to return with his fourth album 4NEM.
Supa Savage is the second mixtape by American rapper Lil Reese, released on September 2, 2013. The mixtape features guest appearances from Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Waka Flocka Flame, Wale, Johnny May Cash and Fredo Santana. It is hosted by Maybach Music Group's DJ Scream. There has been 6 music videos shot for the mixtape, for the songs "Relate", "Team", "Wassup", "Irrelevant", "Supa Savage" and "I Need That" which all premiered on WorldStarHipHop as music videos.
Herbert Randall Wright III, better known by his stage name G Herbo, is an American rapper. Wright signed to the Chicago-based record label Machine Entertainment Group in 2011 at the age of 16. Through the label, he released his debut mixtape Welcome to Fazoland (2014), followed by Pistol P Project (2014), Ballin Like I'm Kobe (2015), and Strictly 4 My Fans (2016). His debut studio album, Humble Beast (2017) was released through Cinematic Music Group and received critical acclaim. His collaborative album with record producer Southside, Swervo (2018) served his first major label release through Epic Records; its sequel, Still Swervin (2019) served as Wright's second album. His third album, PTSD (2020) peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200 upon release, likewise with his fourth and fifth albums, 25 (2021) and Survivor's Remorse (2022); 25 marked his first project with Republic Records.
Durk Derrick Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. He initially garnered a local following with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series (2013–2014), whose success led to him to sign with Def Jam Recordings. The label released his debut studio album, Remember My Name (2015) and its follow-up, Lil Durk 2X (2016) to moderate commercial reception before parting ways with the artist in 2018.
They Forgot is a mixtape by American hip hop rapper Lil Durk. It was released on November 26, 2016, by Only the Family. The mixtape features guest appearances from Lil Reese, Meek Mill, Mozzy, OTF Ikey, 21 Savage, Hypno Carlito, Dej Loaf, YFN Lucci, and BJ the Chicago Kid. While the production was handled by C-Sick, ChopSquad DJ, Donis Beats, DP Beats, LeekeLeek, Kid Wonder, London on da Track, TY Made It, and Young Chop. The mixtape is supported by the single "Baller".
Javorius Tykies Scott, known professionally as JayDaYoungan, was an American rapper and singer. He was best known for his 2019 single "23 Island", which received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After signing with Atlantic Records, the song was included on both his debut commercial mixtape Misunderstood (2019) and debut studio album, Baby23 (2020)—both entered the top 50 of the Billboard 200. Prior, he first garnered attention for his 2017 mixtapes Ruffwayy and The Real Jumpman 23; he released the commercial mixtapes Endless Pain (2019) and 23 Is Back (2021) before his death on July 27, 2022 – when he was fatally shot and killed in his hometown by five unidentified assailants.
Dayvon Daquan Bennett, known professionally as King Von, was an American rapper and gangster from Chicago, Illinois, who was affiliated with the Black Disciples gang. He is widely considered one of the most preeminent figures of the drill genre.
Lontrell Donell Williams, Jr., better known by his stage name Pooh Shiesty, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He signed with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records in 2020, he rose to prominence following his collaborations with the label's founder and cohorts. That same year, his single "Back in Blood" peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It preceded the release of his debut commercial mixtape Shiesty Season (2021), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. His stage name was given by his late brother, who adapted his childhood nickname "Mr. Pooh" with the vernacular slang term "shiesty"—referential of his lifestyle.
Isaiah Jaylaun Dukes, known professionally as Lil Zay Osama, is an American rapper. His music, which he describes as "pain music", reflects his violent upbringing on the South Side of Chicago and explores subjects including grief, trauma and survival.
Horace Bernard Walls III, known professionally as Nardo Wick, is an American rapper. He signed with RCA Records in 2021 and gained mainstream recognition following the commercial release of his single "Who Want Smoke?" in January of that year. The song spawned a remix featuring rappers G Herbo, Lil Durk, and 21 Savage, which peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His debut studio album, Who Is Nardo Wick? (2021) was released in December of that same year and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200.
Darrell Gregory Jackson, known professionally as Chopsquad DJ, is an American record producer, songwriter, and DJ. He is known for his frequent use of dark piano melodies in his beats. His stage name is adapted from his former role as the in-house DJ for record producer Young Chop's record label, ChopSquad.
Almighty So 2 is the fifth studio album by American rapper Chief Keef. It was released on May 10, 2024, through 43B. The album serves as a sequel to Chief Keef's 2013 mixtape Almighty So, as well as the follow up to both Keef's fourth studio album, 4NEM (2021), as well as Dirty Nachos (2024), his commercial mixtape in collaboration with Mike WiLL Made It. The album features guest appearances from Ballout, G Herbo, Lil Gnar, Tierra Whack, Sexyy Red and Quavo. Production was handled primarily by Keef himself, with uncredited co-production from a variety of producers including DP Beats, Mike WiLL Made It, Shawn Ferrari and Johnny Juliano, among others.
Joseph J. Coleman, known professionally as Lil Jojo, was an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois who garnered distinction in Chicago's early drill music scene. He was affiliated with a faction of the Gangster Disciples that was a rival of a faction of the Black Disciples. Amidst a time period of escalating rivalry and heightening tension, Lil JoJo was killed in a drive-by shooting in Chicago at the age of 18. Lil JoJo's death was highly publicized and is remembered by Chicago residents as a landmark instance of the city's intensifying gang violence problem. To date, law enforcement has not made any arrests in connection to the event.
