Chief Keef is an American rapper who has a net worth of $4 million. Chief Keef (born Keith Farrelle Cozart) emerged from Chicago’s drill music scene in 2011-2012, gaining initial fame with his song “Bang.” His breakout hit “I Don’t Like” went viral and received a remix from Kanye West, leading to a major label deal with Interscope Records at age 16.
His debut album “Finally Rich” (2012) featured hits like “Love Sosa” and “Hate Being Sober,” establishing his signature style of Auto-Tuned vocals, trap beats, and street-oriented lyrics. Despite commercial success, his relationship with Interscope was troubled, and they parted ways in 2014.
Since then, Chief Keef has remained influential through independent releases and mixtapes, including projects like “Bang 3” and “Thot Breaker.” His experimental approach to production and vocals has influenced numerous artists in hip-hop, particularly in the development of mumble rap and trap music. Beyond music, he’s launched his own record label, Glo Gang, and has collaborated with artists across the hip-hop spectrum. Unfortunately, Keef has struggled with a number of legal and financial issues over the course of his career.
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Interscope Deal
In June 2013, Chief Keef signed a lucrative contract with Interscope Records. The three-album deal was reportedly worth more than $6 million (before taxes, managers fees, lawyers, and expenses). As part of the contract, Interscope paid Chief a $440,000 advance, plus $300,000 to cover recording expenses in order for him to produce a commercial version of “Finally Rich.” He also received a $180,000 advance for his record label, Glory Boyz Entertainment, and $200,000 to cover record label overhead expenses.
However, there was also a stipulation that allowed Interscope to cancel the deal if “Finally Rich” did not sell 250,000 copies by December 2013. The album sold only 150,000, and in mid-October 2014, Chief Keef was officially dropped by Interscope.
Since then, Keef has continued to release projects through his own Glo Gang label, including 2014’s “Nobody” and “Back from the Dead 2,” 2015’s “Bang 3,” and 2017’s “Thot Breaker.” In June 2022, he announced a partnership with RBC Records and BMG Rights Management to start the label 43B.
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Legal Issues
At the age of 16, Chief Keef was charged with heroin distribution and manufacturing. Because of his age at the time, Chief Keef got off rather lightly and was sentenced to house arrest. That same year, the 16-year-old left his home and pointed a handgun at several police officers, who chased Chief Keef while shooting at him and narrowly missing. Eventually, they caught him and took away the handgun. He was charged with assaulting a police officer with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. Once again, he was sentenced to house arrest.
Next year, the 17-year-old Chief Keef was accused of paying an assassin to kill one of his Englewood rivals, who went by the stage name “Lil’ JoJo.” Chief Keef was investigated as a result, and it was discovered that he had been violating his parole by visiting a shooting range and discharging a weapon. Eventually, he was sentenced to two months in juvenile detention in 2013.
Also in 2013, Chief Keef was sued by a promotion company for $75,000 after failing to show up for a scheduled show in London, England. Keef ignored the lawsuit, and a court subsequently ordered him to pay $230,000 to the promotion company in damages. Throughout the rest of the year, he was arrested for smoking marijuana in public, speeding, and violating parole. Throughout the next few years, Keef was sued for missing more concerts, and he was arrested for smoking marijuana in public, driving under the influence, and allegedly robbing a producer by the name of Ramsay Tha Great.
Chief Keef has struggled with various child support claims in court. He has had nine children over his lifetime, and in some cases, a DNA test was required to confirm whether or not he was actually the father. In at least one case, he failed to appear in court as a result of child support claims, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Another controversy came when he allegedly named one of his sons “FilmOn Dot Com” in an effort to promote his new album and record label.
A number of Chief Keef’s family members have been killed as a result of gang violence, including his stepbrother and his cousin.
Real Estate
Chief Keef has reportedly been evicted from several rental properties over the course of his career. In 2014, he was renting a property in Highland Park, Los Angeles, for a reported sum of $11,000 per month. Chief Keef fell behind on rent that year, reportedly owing more than $30,000 in unpaid rent for the 5,600-square-foot house at the time.
Neighbors were also concerned because of Chief Keef’s reported use of firearms in the backyard and the huge amount of guests he had on the property, who came and went every single day. Eventually, he was evicted.
Early Life
Keith Farrelle Cozart was born on August 15th, 1995, in Chicago. Born to a 16-year-old mother, Keith was raised on the South Side of Chicago in a low-income apartment complex commonly known as “O-Block.” Cozart was soon a member of the Black Disciples gang that was active in that area of Chicago. By the age of 5, Keith was creating his own raps using his grandmother’s karaoke machine and recording them with cassette tapes. He dropped out of high school at 15.
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Career
Chief Keef, born Keith Cozart, emerged as a transformative figure in hip-hop, gaining recognition as a teenager with a raw and distinct style that pioneered the Drill music subgenre. At just 16, he built a grassroots following with early mixtapes like The Glory Road and Bang. His rise was accelerated while under house arrest, during which he leveraged social media platforms like YouTube to release music. Among these early tracks, “I Don’t Like” became a breakout hit, resonating widely for its unfiltered energy and minimalist production. The song’s impact grew exponentially after Kanye West remixed it, featuring Jadakiss, Big Sean, and Pusha T, solidifying Drill music’s place in mainstream rap.
Following this success, Chief Keef became a highly sought-after artist, eventually signing a major deal with Interscope Records. His debut studio album, Finally Rich (2012), showcased his talent for crafting melodic yet hard-hitting tracks, with hits like “Love Sosa” becoming cultural anthems and influencing a generation of artists. However, the pressure of early fame, combined with personal and legal struggles, impacted his consistency. While 2013 saw collaborations with Kanye West on “Hold My Liquor” and the release of mixtapes such as Almighty So, these projects received mixed reviews, highlighting both moments of brilliance and lackluster execution.
Keef himself acknowledged challenges, attributing uneven output to issues like drug addiction. In 2014, his relationship with Interscope ended—a decision met with criticism, as Keef had already established a loyal fanbase and proven his influence on the genre. Undeterred, he embraced independence, releasing projects like Back From the Dead 2, where he took control of production and experimented with his sound. This period showcased his resilience and willingness to innovate outside traditional industry structures.
Chief Keef’s impact on modern hip-hop remains undeniable. He laid the foundation for artists who followed, influencing the sound and culture of contemporary rap globally. While his journey has been marked by ups and downs, his ability to adapt and remain relevant underscores his significance as a trailblazer in the music industry.
Influence In Drill Music
His net worth also reflects his impact on the drill music genre. He’s been an instrumental force behind the popularization of drill music, which originated in the South Side of Chicago.
His raw lyrics and unique beats have influenced a new generation of rappers, underscoring his value in the music industry beyond his net worth.
