Chicago has produced numerous talented individuals who have made waves in the entertainment industry, one of them being Keith Cozart, better known as Chief Keef—a popular rapper with hundreds of tracks highly acclaimed by fans and music critics alike. Let’s dive into the career of this prominent artist here on chicago-trend.com.
Musical Career
Keith Farrell, the future music star, was born in the summer of 1995 in Chicago. His mother gave birth to him at 17, and circumstances led his grandmother to take on the role of raising him. Growing up with a rebellious spirit, Keith often found himself in fights and resisted school. By age 15, he was expelled. Though he had few serious hobbies, his one true passion was music. Keith listened to popular rappers, writing his own songs.
Cozart made his entry into show business in 2011, when he released his mixtapes “The Glory Road” and “Bang.” The tracks quickly gained popularity, but his momentum was halted when he was placed under strict house arrest for a month. However, even in these challenging circumstances, he made productive use of his time by shooting several music videos and uploading them to YouTube.
The debut single “I Don’t Like” was the track that catapulted Chief Keef to popularity, becoming a fan favorite and even catching the attention of Kanye West, who later created a remix version. Cozart reached his peak fame in 2012, when major labels were competing to work with him. Ultimately, he signed with Interscope Records on a $6 million deal, with an additional $440,000 from the company to establish and promote his label, Glory Boyz Entertainment (GBE). Chief Keef was to record three albums under this contract.
In the winter of 2012, he released his first album, “Finally Rich,” which immediately gained popularity and topped various charts. Fans praised the energy and vibe of hits like “Love Sosa” and “Looperman.”
In the summer of 2013, Cozart released his highly anticipated mixtape “Bang 2,” but critics gave it poor reviews. His following album, “Almighty So,” also failed to impress. Cozart attributed these missteps to his reliance on codeine, which he took for a throat condition.
In January 2014, he released the album “Bang 3.” Later that year, Interscope Records ended their partnership with him because the album’s release was delayed. Despite these setbacks, Cozart continued to work independently, producing his next album. Soon, he presented the album “Nobody,” featuring Kanye West and other stars, which earned high chart rankings. In 2015, he released multiple projects showcasing his growth as a beatmaker.
Trouble with the Law
Cozart’s troubles with the law began in his teenage years. At 16, he was arrested for shooting in a park. He was placed under house arrest for possession and use of a firearm. In 2011, he faced accusations related to heroin distribution.
In 2012, the murder of Joseph Coleman, an 18-year-old musician, became a notable case. Coleman was shot while riding his bike near his home. He managed to reach a neighbor’s house to call for help, but he passed away before the ambulance arrived. Although the killer was never found, Cozart was suspected due to a previous conflict between him and Coleman. Cozart escaped imprisonment due to insufficient evidence.
In 2013, Cozart attracted police attention again after being arrested at a hotel for smoking marijuana in a public place.
Despite these challenges, the artist continues to delight his fans with his unique creations and actively tours various countries.
