Keith Farrelle Cozart better known as Chief Keef, Almighty Sosa, or Chief Sosa, was born and raised on the southside of Chicago, IL. He is a rapper and record producer. He began getting recognition for his music in the early 2010s when his mixtapes The Glory Road and Bang became popular amongst young people in Chicago.
He began using YouTube as a platform to release his music and his songs “ I Don’t Like”, “Bang”, and “3 Hunna” gained the attention of many. “I Don’t Like” took Chicago by storm and caught the attention of celebrities such as Kanye West, Pusha T, Jadakiss, and Big Sean who remixed the song. By 2012, there were many record labels looking to sign the artist. In 2013, he signed a deal with Interscope Records that promised him his own label, Glory Boyz Entertainment (GBE).
In 2014, Keef was dropped from Interscope Records and announced that Glory Boyz Entertainment was no long existent. He started new record label called Glo Gang, which is still active. Under Glo Gang, Keef signed artist such as Tadoe, Lil Reese, Fredo Santana, Capo, and many more.
In 2016, Chief Keef’s music ouput was slowing down and he announced that he was retiring from rapping. However, since his announcement, he has release 3 mixtapes and an album.
His music is categorized as hip-hop, more specifically drill music. Chief keef has come to be known as the face of drill music. The genre originated in the South Side of Chicago in the early 2010s. It is defined by its dark, violent lyrical content and trap-influenced beats.
Due to Chief Keef’s violent lyrics, gang affiliation, and criminal background he has been described as a representative of Chicago’s increasing murder rate. Many believe that he has a negative impact on the youth of society and that music like his to blame for the ongoing violence in today’s society.
Chief Keef has been noted as a major influence on contemporary Hip-hop. His impact has defined the sound, shape, and tone of hip-hop. He is also listed as an influence on contemporary hip-hop due to his impact on new artists. Artists such as Lil Pump, Tekashi 6ix9ine, Tay-K, 21 Savage, and many more have listed Chief Keef as their influencer.
