Chief Keef, born Keith Cozart, was only 17 when he released his 2012 debut album, Finally Rich, a record with two of Chicago drill music’s most iconic songs (“Love Sosa” and “I Don’t Like”). With cosigns from Kanye West, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, and Gucci Mane’s 1017 Brick Squad, the South Side native has since continued a prolific career comprising over 20 mixtapes and albums. The nods to gun violence and gang culture in his music have been controversial throughout his rise to mainstream success—he’s been arrested for aggravated assault and heroin distribution, and was banned by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel from playing a live show in his hometown. Despite his legal troubles, there’s no denying the influence of Keef’s menacing production, straightforward verses, and early D.I.Y. rap ethos on the generation of hip-hop artists that has followed.
New releases to look forward to in the coming months, from Brittany Howard, Kali Uchis, MGMT, Bleachers, Dua Lipa, the Smile, and more.
New releases to look forward to in the coming months, from Brittany Howard, Kali Uchis, MGMT, Bleachers, Dua Lipa, the Smile, and more.
New releases to look forward to in the coming months, from Mitski, Drake, Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift, and more.
New releases to look forward to in the coming months, from King Krule, PJ Harvey, Noname, Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, and more
From Atlanta to Memphis to Detroit; from lightspeed Jersey club rap to diamond-hard New York drill; rap overflowed with energy again this year.
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Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Doja Cat, and Young Thug, along with many exciting young upstarts
From Chief Keef to Polo G, these tracks defined drill
The records that made the decade, starring Kendrick Lamar, Grimes, Bon Iver, Solange, Lana Del Rey, and many more
The defining tracks of the decade, starring Robyn, Drake, Vampire Weekend, Daft Punk, SZA, and many more
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From Playboi Carti’s mumbling opus to Vince Staples’ raved-up deconstruction of fame, these are the year’s most vital rap records.