The Generational Influence and Brief History of “Sosa”

Chief Keef dropped his debut album under Interscope Records “Finally Rich” in 2012 at 17 years old. At this time, artists like Kanye West, Future, Drake, and Migos, were in their prime. The cadence of rap music had not changed since its birth. I believe that on December 18, 2012, Chief Keef created what is now the current state of rap. 

Rap was due for a change – and Chief Keef was that change. He made songs and albums before Interscope Records, but his new style shined most on the beats produced by Young Chop. Without Young Chop, Chief Keef may have never become as successful. Young Chop’s unique and fast passed beats, with Chief Keef almost singing on these hard trap beats, was a refreshing break from the slow style rap. When Chief Keef first blew up for his hit song “I Don’t Like,” labels wanted not only him, but also Young Chop for his talent to create the new style of drill and trap beats that Chief Keef was so successful with. 

Kanye West, Pusha T, and Big Sean would all feature on the same remix of “I Don’t Like.” Chief Keef influenced the rappers after his prime as much as he did the ones before. Chief Keef allowed rappers to try different styles of rap. G Herbo, Lil Uzi, Lil Pump, Jdot Breezy, Tay K, and many New York drill rappers have all said that Chief Keef has influenced their music. Rappers like Trippie Redd have been tremendously influenced by his discography, even featuring Chief Keef on one of his own 2023 albums: “Mansion Musik.” Chief Keef dropped an album called “Mansion Musick” in 2018. Regardless of how much rap artists are influenced by Chief Keef directly, he paved the way for experimental sounds for rap, opening doors for newly created genres like emo rap, cloud rap, drill, and plug. Chief Keef even influenced fashion by making sagging jeans, designer belts, and long dreadlocks the hip-hop dress code. 

Beyond his talent with rap vocals, Chief Keef also produced 80% of the songs on his album “Back from the Dead.” He also produced the song “Chrome Heart Tags” on Lil Uzi’s album “Eternal Atake.” Chief Keef also did some of his own graphic design work, as well as starting a clothing brand called “Glo Gang” – his most popular items being the sun shaped ski masks and sun-shaped hoodies.

Chief Keef is one of the most beloved rappers to this day. And as for his fans, they continue to appreciate his contribution to the genre of rap, and his music remains relevant, if not gaining popularity as time goes on.

A video posted to TikTok in January of 2021, taken in Warsaw, Poland, shows a crowd protesting the violence in Ukraine with Ukrainian flags and signs, jumping up and down screaming the lyrics to “Love Sosa” – referring to the Chief Keef’s nickname “Sosa Baby.” Chief Keef and his impact on music and the world continues to show years after his rise to fame.

Written by Colin Cavallari, WSBU St. Bonaventure, Class of 2027.

Originally posted online here: https://wsbufm.com/2024/02/08/the-generational-influence-and-brief-history-of-sosa/