10 Ways Chief Keef Shocked and Rocked Hip-Hop in 2012
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Chief Keef nearly had one of the biggest impacts on music among his fellow rap rookies this year. After starting 2012 in prison, the now 17-year-old’s name stayed in headlines as he satiated his supporters and upset Chicagoans, activists and critics with a bevy of legal woes, reckless social media use, and fiery songs.
Read on for a 2012 rundown of the most controversial rap figure since 50 Cent.
Read on for a 2012 rundown of the most controversial rap figure since 50 Cent.
Kanye West Remixes “I Don’t Like”
Chief Keef entered 2012 as one of the faces of Chicago’s drill scene, with his mixtapes making waves around the city and YouTube videos he made on house arrest building a viral buzz. The house arrest was a step down after a month in prison, which stemmed from accusations of aiming a gun at a police officer.
Fellow Chicagoan Kanye West remixed “I Don’t Like” with Big Sean, Pusha T and Jadakiss, and would later include it on the G.O.O.D. Music compilation Cruel Summer. Keef vehemently denies Ye’s nod as helpful, but at this point, Chief Keef had officially arrived.
Chief Keef entered 2012 as one of the faces of Chicago’s drill scene, with his mixtapes making waves around the city and YouTube videos he made on house arrest building a viral buzz. The house arrest was a step down after a month in prison, which stemmed from accusations of aiming a gun at a police officer.
Fellow Chicagoan Kanye West remixed “I Don’t Like” with Big Sean, Pusha T and Jadakiss, and would later include it on the G.O.O.D. Music compilation Cruel Summer. Keef vehemently denies Ye’s nod as helpful, but at this point, Chief Keef had officially arrived.
Chief Keef Signs With Interscope After Bidding War—June 2012
After fielding offers from the likes of Young Money, Young Jeezy’s CTE, Yo Gotti and Atlantic Records, Keef appeared on MTV RapFix to announce that he chose Interscope Records as his label and inked a publishing deal with Dr. Dre. “They was talking like I was talking, and I liked that,” he said. He would later add that he grew up listening to 50 Cent, who would later appear on Keef’s single “Hate Being Sober.”
After fielding offers from the likes of Young Money, Young Jeezy’s CTE, Yo Gotti and Atlantic Records, Keef appeared on MTV RapFix to announce that he chose Interscope Records as his label and inked a publishing deal with Dr. Dre. “They was talking like I was talking, and I liked that,” he said. He would later add that he grew up listening to 50 Cent, who would later appear on Keef’s single “Hate Being Sober.”
Pitchfork Video at Gun Range—July 2012
In July, Pitchfork.tv drew criticism after posting an episode of their “Selector” video series that featured Keef being interviewed at a gun range. Later, in response to the Chicago violence and JoJo killing, the site removed the video from its archives and released an apologetic statement. “The horror of the gun violence that has plagued our hometown is something we all take very seriously,” said Editor-In-Chief Mark Richardson. “Many people have pointed out that this episode could be seen as trivializing gun violence, and we feel they have a good point.”
Months later, a judge demanded that Pitchfork turn over the video footage to courts.
In July, Pitchfork.tv drew criticism after posting an episode of their “Selector” video series that featured Keef being interviewed at a gun range. Later, in response to the Chicago violence and JoJo killing, the site removed the video from its archives and released an apologetic statement. “The horror of the gun violence that has plagued our hometown is something we all take very seriously,” said Editor-In-Chief Mark Richardson. “Many people have pointed out that this episode could be seen as trivializing gun violence, and we feel they have a good point.”
Months later, a judge demanded that Pitchfork turn over the video footage to courts.
Appearance in Lil Reese’s “Traffic” Music Video—August 2012
Chief Keef supported GBE brethren and Def Jam signee Lil Reese’s single “Traffic,” a single from Reese’s DJ Drama and Don Cannon-helmed I Don’t Like mixtape. The street-oriented video, which sees the duo rhyming over a Young Chop backdrop and wheeling around in a Jaguar, also features a cameo from Chicago legend Twista.
Chief Keef supported GBE brethren and Def Jam signee Lil Reese’s single “Traffic,” a single from Reese’s DJ Drama and Don Cannon-helmed I Don’t Like mixtape. The street-oriented video, which sees the duo rhyming over a Young Chop backdrop and wheeling around in a Jaguar, also features a cameo from Chicago legend Twista.
Lands First Magazine Cover—Aug. 3, 2012
On August 3, FADER magazine revealed that Chief Keef was one of two cover stories for its fall fashion issue. The writer accompanies Keef and close ones like his Glory Boys Entertainment crew and his grandmother to video shoots, court hearings.
On August 3, FADER magazine revealed that Chief Keef was one of two cover stories for its fall fashion issue. The writer accompanies Keef and close ones like his Glory Boys Entertainment crew and his grandmother to video shoots, court hearings.
Mocks Lil JoJo’s death—September 5, 2012
When 16-year-old Chicago rapper Lil JoJo was gunned down in September, Keef went to Twitter to give a humorous take on the murder. “hahahahahhahahahahahahahaahhAAHAHAHAHA #RichNiggaShit,” he tweeted. “It’s Sad Cuz Dat Nigga JoJo Wanted To Be Jus Like Us #LMAO.” He quickly insisted that his Twitter was hacked and posted a series of pseudo-uplifting quips, but police used Keef’s tweets to start their investigation.
Weeks ago, JoJo’s mother Robin Russel told BET that she believes that Keef was involved in the shooting. “I don’t believe him, himself pulled the trigger, but I believe he paid somebody to do it,” she said.
When 16-year-old Chicago rapper Lil JoJo was gunned down in September, Keef went to Twitter to give a humorous take on the murder. “hahahahahhahahahahahahahaahhAAHAHAHAHA #RichNiggaShit,” he tweeted. “It’s Sad Cuz Dat Nigga JoJo Wanted To Be Jus Like Us #LMAO.” He quickly insisted that his Twitter was hacked and posted a series of pseudo-uplifting quips, but police used Keef’s tweets to start their investigation.
Weeks ago, JoJo’s mother Robin Russel told BET that she believes that Keef was involved in the shooting. “I don’t believe him, himself pulled the trigger, but I believe he paid somebody to do it,” she said.
Threatens to Lupe Fiasco—September 5, 2012
In a radio interview in Baltimore, Lupe Fiasco voiced sadness for Keef’s success in the context of the record-breaking murder rates in their hometown of Chicago. “Chief scares me. not him specifically, but just the culture that he represents,” Lupe said. “…The murder rate in Chicago is skyrocketing, and you see who’s doing it and perpetrating it, they all look like Chief Keef.” In response, Keef brazenly tweeted that he would “smack [Lupe Fiasco] like da lil bitch he is.”
After unsuccessfully sending a series of tweets to break through Keef’s head, a disheartened Lupe alluded to a retirement from rap. “I see no comfort further along this path only more pain,” he tweeted. “I cannot participate any longer in this.”
In a radio interview in Baltimore, Lupe Fiasco voiced sadness for Keef’s success in the context of the record-breaking murder rates in their hometown of Chicago. “Chief scares me. not him specifically, but just the culture that he represents,” Lupe said. “…The murder rate in Chicago is skyrocketing, and you see who’s doing it and perpetrating it, they all look like Chief Keef.” In response, Keef brazenly tweeted that he would “smack [Lupe Fiasco] like da lil bitch he is.”
After unsuccessfully sending a series of tweets to break through Keef’s head, a disheartened Lupe alluded to a retirement from rap. “I see no comfort further along this path only more pain,” he tweeted. “I cannot participate any longer in this.”
Nude picture—September 16, 2012
Weeks after the Lil Jojo fallout, Keef saw more social media controversy when he used Instagram to post a photo of himself receiving oral sex from an unidentified woman. His account was banned for violating the site’s terms of service, but the damage was already done as the photo made its rounds online.
Weeks after the Lil Jojo fallout, Keef saw more social media controversy when he used Instagram to post a photo of himself receiving oral sex from an unidentified woman. His account was banned for violating the site’s terms of service, but the damage was already done as the photo made its rounds online.
Doesn’t Attend Video Shoot with 50 Cent and Wiz Khalifa—November 16, 2012
50 Cent took to Twitter to call out Keef for not attending a Las Vegas video shoot with him and Wiz Khalifa for the single “Hate Being Sober.” “It’s not funny @ChiefKeef didn’t sell any records yet, they will put the plug on him,” he tweeted. During an appearance on Big Boy’s Neighborhood radio show weeks later, 50 Cent said that he was a fan of Keef because he comes “directly from the environment,” but that he may be getting too big for his britches. “I talked to them on the telephone…two or three times that day and said, ‘Yo, you’ve gotta come,’” 50 said. “You know how when you’ve got momentum and you feel like Michael Jackson for a minute? Like, you’re ‘the one?’ He’s so hot in his circle, he thought he could actually do that.” He advised that dropping the song around the album release was unwise. 50, meanwhile, used the time to shoot a video for his song “United Nations,” and later tweeted that he convinced Interscope to keep Keef on the roster.
50 Cent took to Twitter to call out Keef for not attending a Las Vegas video shoot with him and Wiz Khalifa for the single “Hate Being Sober.” “It’s not funny @ChiefKeef didn’t sell any records yet, they will put the plug on him,” he tweeted. During an appearance on Big Boy’s Neighborhood radio show weeks later, 50 Cent said that he was a fan of Keef because he comes “directly from the environment,” but that he may be getting too big for his britches. “I talked to them on the telephone…two or three times that day and said, ‘Yo, you’ve gotta come,’” 50 said. “You know how when you’ve got momentum and you feel like Michael Jackson for a minute? Like, you’re ‘the one?’ He’s so hot in his circle, he thought he could actually do that.” He advised that dropping the song around the album release was unwise. 50, meanwhile, used the time to shoot a video for his song “United Nations,” and later tweeted that he convinced Interscope to keep Keef on the roster.
Finally Rich Hits Stores
The week after a full version of “Hate Being Sober” featuring 50 Cent and Wiz Khalifa finally hits the ‘Net, Keef’s official Glory Boys Entertainment/Interscope debut Finally Rich hits stores today. The disc features acts French Montana, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross as guests, with his reliable partner Young Chop handling most of the production. We’ll see if the star power and controversy results in quality music, and tangible results, for the teenager.
The week after a full version of “Hate Being Sober” featuring 50 Cent and Wiz Khalifa finally hits the ‘Net, Keef’s official Glory Boys Entertainment/Interscope debut Finally Rich hits stores today. The disc features acts French Montana, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross as guests, with his reliable partner Young Chop handling most of the production. We’ll see if the star power and controversy results in quality music, and tangible results, for the teenager.
