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Johnny Nunez / Contributor via Getty Images and Barry Brecheisen / Contributor via Getty Images
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Joe Budden and Chief Keef
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The criminal justice system is intensifying its scrutiny of Hip Hop. In recent years, artists such as Young Thug, Tsu Surf, Pooh Shiesty, YFN Lucci, and most recently, Lil Durk have encountered legal issues. Following the revelation of the “3 Headed Goat” rapper’s arrest on charges of conspiracy to commit murder earlier this week, Joe Budden took a moment to acknowledge Chief Keef, another artist from Chicago, for managing to stay out of legal woes.
On Budden’s self-titled podcast this past Saturday (Oct. 26), he referred to Chief Keef as the “sole example” of someone who “navigated it correctly.” He elaborated, “I’m not privy to his history, his connections on the streets, none of that business. What I do know is he landed a record deal, [and] the word traveled fast within the industry about his identity, like it usually does. He might have gone a little wild for the first year or so, and then he pivoted.”
The creator of the hit “I Don’t Like” made a notable move to Los Angeles in 2014 and returned a decade later for the Summer Smash festival of 2024, an experience expected to be highlighted in his upcoming documentary with Cole Bennett.
“He seized the chance, redefined his brand, and is now hailed as the godfather of [Chicago drill music] and an absolute musical visionary,” Budden elaborated. “He received an opportunity and clearly paused. And guess what, if he didn’t pause, it wasn’t part of a track, it wasn’t in a video, it wasn’t on YouTube.”
In a May discussion with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Chief Keef shared insights about how relocating virtually transformed his life. “The street life and all that came with it had a firm grip on me,” he reflected on his experiences after leaving Chicago. “Once I moved to LA, I began improving as an individual. It took my relocation to LA to evolve beyond what I once was.”
Musically, the rapper released Almighty So 2 that same month. The 16-track album features collaborations with Quavo, Sexyy Red, Lil Gnar, G Herbo, and Tierra Whack.