Chief Keef has not made an appearance in Chicago in nearly 10 years, but that is about to change later this year courtesy to Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash concert.
Despite Keef’s meteoric rise to prominence in 2012, with singles like “I Don’t Like,” the Chicago artist had difficulty performing in the city where he grew up. First, house detention prevented him from performing live, and later authorities closed down his gigs owing to worries about the lyrical nature of his music. The previous occasion when he intended to give a show in the city was in 2015 through hologram to collect money for a kid who was murdered in a hit-and-run, but the concert was cancelled by police after the city council issued warnings.
On Friday afternoon, April 26, Lyrical Lemonade Entertainment revealed that rapper Chief Keef is returning to the Chicago area after nearly ten years away. Other artists performing at the event feature Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack, Playboi Carti, Kodak Black, Destroy Lonely, Denzel Curry, Ken Carson, Lil Yachty, and JID, among others. The previous year’s festival featured Kid Cudi, Future, and Carti as guests.
Why it Matters
The Chicago drill creator struggled with appearances at the beginning of his career, mirroring those of the Brooklyn drill trend years later. In 2019, the New York Police Department attempted to close down shows by Pop Smoke, Sheff G, and Casanova. But now, Musician Chief Keef is coming to the city of Chicago after almost ten years.
Ticket prices for the three-day pass begin at $385 on the Summer Smash website. According to the ticket website, the festival does not appear to provide single-day passes. The TRiiBE contacted Lyrical Lemonade for a statement but was unlucky to receive a response before publication.
2024’s Summer Smash roster also includes a fair share of artists like Cactus Jack, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, and Sheck Wes), Playboi Carti, Big Sean, Lil Yachty, Famous Dex, Mick Jenkins, Flo Milli, etc.
The rapper’s place on the list of modern rap greats has been consolidated with other emerging and very popular musicians recognizing his musical style as having an immediate effect on their profession. This concert gig might be the start of something new for Chief Keef, paving the way for the rapper to take the stage in Chicago again soon.
Flashback
In April 2012, the artist debuted for another rapper named Meek Mill at the Congress Theater in Logan Square in Chicago. That evening also featured well-known stars like Bo Deal, Twista, L.E.P Bogus Boys, drill legend, and King Louie.
When a brawl popped off in the front lobby, as stated in a Fake Shore Drive report, law enforcement took control over the entryways, prohibiting spectators and the performers who were due to put on a show from coming into the building.
Regardless of Chief Keef claiming no involvement in the altercation and continuing to perform live that evening, the perception associated with violence at Chicago rap concerts — especially those featuring drill artists — has followed his career. The hip-hop artist Chief Keef is returning to Chicago following the fact that it’s been almost 10 years since his last appearance.
With infectious melodies that told the tale about the Parkway Garden Apartments he grew up in as a child on Chicago’s South side, which were ravaged by violence from gangs, underserved, and guerilla-style visuals displaying firearms and life on the streets, Chief Keef evolved into being the main face of the drill activity with songs like “I Don’t Like,” “Love Sosa,” and “Hate Bein’ Sober.”
What Attendees Can Do
“If you are looking to punish someone for all of the firearms in the footage or the dire circumstances, you have to get on higher-ups behind. I nevertheless interact with folks who say things like, “you portray the wrong image of Chicago.” Keef stated in a discussion with The TRiiBE in 2018. “[Artists] are an outcome of what they are exposed to, and they are just freely and effectively presenting it to you. It might be inspiring children around them, but even if they don’t see the video for the song, their surroundings are going to keep impacting them. I was 12 years old when I first picked up a gun. This should serve as an ultimatum to the authorities to do something for our neighborhoods rather than look at us and say, ‘Omg. They are ruthless,’ stated a Chicago-born music filmmaker Azeez Alaka of Laka Films.
What to Expect
Authorities in the city had a dislike for Chief Keef. This serves as one of the reasons as to why Chief Keef can’t come back to Chicago. Retired Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who served a total of two terms from 2011 to 2019, coincided with Chief Keef’s meteoric ascent to fame.
Based on what Billboard had to say, in July 2015, authorities shut down an unexpected phantom projection of Chief Keef shown onto the concert venue when he was the centerpiece of Hype Celebration, a endless rap extravaganza held in Hammond, Indiana at at Wolf Lake Pavilion. In accordance with USA Today, the rapper had an active warrant for his arrest relating to a child support matter.
Written By Kyla Hughes
Sources:
Source – Chief Keef to Return to Chicago for 2024 Summer Smash Festival
First Inset Image Courtesy of WBEZ Flickr Page – Creative Common License
Second Inset image Courtesy of Swimfinfan Flickr Page – Creative Common License
