Chief Keef: The Untold Story

How Much is Chief Keef Worth?

Let's talk about Chief Keef, the man who has taken the rap world by storm. This Chicago-born rapper, whose real name is Keith Farrelle Cozart, boasts a net worth of $4 million. Chief Keef burst onto the scene in 2011-2012 with his unique style of drill music, and it wasn’t long before his song "Bang" started making waves. But the real game-changer was his viral hit "I Don't Like," which caught the attention of none other than Kanye West, leading to a remix and a major label deal with Interscope Records at just 16 years old.

His debut album, "Finally Rich" (2012), became a defining moment in his career. Tracks like "Love Sosa" and "Hate Being Sober" became instant hits, showcasing his signature use of Auto-Tuned vocals, trap beats, and street-oriented lyrics. Despite his early commercial success, Chief Keef's relationship with Interscope was rocky, and they parted ways in 2014. But that didn’t stop him. Since then, he’s continued to influence the music scene with his independent releases and mixtapes, including "Bang 3" and "Thot Breaker." His experimental approach to production has left a lasting impact on hip-hop, particularly in the rise of mumble rap and trap music. Beyond music, Chief Keef founded his own label, Glo Gang, and has collaborated with countless artists across the hip-hop spectrum. However, his career has not been without its challenges, including legal and financial hurdles.

Chief Keef's Deal with Interscope: What Went Wrong?

In June 2013, Chief Keef inked a lucrative contract with Interscope Records. The deal, worth more than $6 million before taxes, managers' fees, and expenses, seemed like a dream come true. As part of the agreement, Interscope handed over a $440,000 advance and another $300,000 to cover recording expenses for a commercial version of "Finally Rich." They also gave him a $180,000 advance for his record label, Glory Boyz Entertainment, and $200,000 to cover label overhead expenses. But there was a catch: If "Finally Rich" didn’t sell 250,000 copies by December 2013, Interscope could cancel the deal. Unfortunately, the album only sold 150,000 copies, and by mid-October 2014, Chief Keef was officially dropped by the label.

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But that didn’t stop the young rapper. Since his split from Interscope, Chief Keef has continued to release projects through his independent label, Glo Gang, including "Nobody" and "Back from the Dead 2" in 2014, "Bang 3" in 2015, and "Thot Breaker" in 2017. In June 2022, he announced a partnership with RBC Records and BMG Rights Management to launch the label 43B, proving that he’s still a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

Chief Keef's Legal Troubles: A Rocky Road

Chief Keef’s life hasn’t been all hits and no misses. At just 16 years old, he faced charges for heroin distribution and manufacturing. Because of his age, he received a lighter sentence of house arrest. But that wasn’t the only trouble he found himself in. Later that same year, the young rapper left home and pointed a handgun at several police officers, leading to a high-speed chase. Eventually, he was caught and charged with assaulting a police officer with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon, resulting in another house arrest sentence.

The following year, at 17, Chief Keef was accused of hiring an assassin to kill a rival named Lil' JoJo. This led to an investigation and the discovery that he had been violating his parole by visiting a shooting range and discharging a weapon. He ended up serving two months in juvenile detention in 2013. Legal troubles didn’t stop there. In the same year, a promotion company sued him for $75,000 after he failed to show up for a scheduled show in London. He ignored the lawsuit, and the court ordered him to pay $230,000 in damages. Over the years, Chief Keef has been arrested for smoking marijuana in public, speeding, violating parole, and even allegedly robbing a producer named Ramsay Tha Great.

Chief Keef has also faced numerous child support claims in court, fathering nine children throughout his life. In some cases, DNA tests were required to confirm paternity. There was even a controversial incident where he reportedly named one of his sons "FilmOn Dot Com" to promote his album and record label. Tragedy has also struck close to home, with several family members falling victim to gang violence, including his stepbrother and cousin.

Chief Keef's Real Estate Woes

When it comes to real estate, Chief Keef hasn’t had the smoothest journey either. In 2014, he was renting a property in Highland Park, Los Angeles, for $11,000 per month. However, he fell behind on rent, reportedly owing over $30,000 for the 5,600-square-foot house. Neighbors were also concerned about his alleged firearm use in the backyard and the constant flow of guests on the property. Eventually, he was evicted, adding another layer of complexity to his personal life.

Chief Keef's Early Days: From O-Block to Stardom

Keith Farrelle Cozart was born on August 15, 1995, in Chicago. Raised by a 16-year-old mother, Keith grew up in the South Side of Chicago in a low-income apartment complex known as "O-Block." By the age of five, he was already creating his own raps using his grandmother's karaoke machine and recording them with cassette tapes. At 15, he dropped out of high school, but his passion for music never wavered. Soon, he became a member of the Black Disciples gang, which was active in his neighborhood.

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Chief Keef's Career: From Mixtapes to Mainstream

Chief Keef first gained attention as a 16-year-old with mixtapes like "The Glory Road" and "Bang." After facing legal issues, he turned to uploading tracks on YouTube, where "I Don't Like" became a massive hit, sparking the new rap subgenre known as "Drill." The song's success skyrocketed when Kanye West remixed it with Jadakiss, Big Sean, and Pusha T, bringing Chief Keef even more fame.

With his newfound popularity, Chief Keef became a sought-after artist, signing a lucrative deal with Interscope Records. His debut studio album, "Finally Rich," was released in 2012, with "Love Sosa" becoming a major hit. In 2013, he collaborated with Kanye West on "Hold My Liquor" and released two mixtapes that received mixed reviews from critics, though "Almighty So" featured some standout tracks like "Nice." Chief Keef later admitted that drug addiction affected the quality of his releases, which contributed to Interscope dropping him in 2014. Despite this setback, he continued to release mixtapes independently, including "Back From The Dead 2," producing most of the songs himself.

Following a tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of his associate Marvin Carr and a 13-month-old baby, Chief Keef took a stand against gang violence by organizing a free benefit concert in honor of Marvin Carr. Due to outstanding warrants, he appeared via hologram, but the concert was shut down by police, fearing further violence. Over the years, Chief Keef slowed down his music output, even announcing his retirement in 2016, but he continued collaborating with high-profile artists. In 2019, he revealed plans for "Almighty So 2" and produced Lil Uzi Vert's track "Chrome Heart Tags," proving that he remains a significant figure in the world of hip-hop.