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Tobias Jesso Jr.: GRAMMY-Winning Canadian Sells His Song Rights

February 23, 2023

Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece

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How Popular TV Shows and Movies Resurrect Classic Songs

February 23, 2023

HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.

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Ginalina: Bringing Her Taiwan Roots Into Her Latest Album

February 21, 2023

Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe

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Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance

February 21, 2023

Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...

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How do Streaming Platforms Pay Artists - Is It Fair?

February 20, 2023

Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im

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Why Jay-Z Was Named The #1 Rapper Of All Time

February 23, 2023

Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s

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Behind Kaytranada’s Unique Sound

February 18, 2023

Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work. Kaytranada has

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The Creative Act: Rick Rubin’s Knowledge Turned Into A Book

February 17, 2023

What happens when a famous music producer takes an interest in self-help books? The Creative Act is your answer. But who is Rick Rubin? Without a doubt, Rubin has an impressive track record in the

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Behind the Music: The Audio Engineer

February 14, 2023

The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close

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Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...

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Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.

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What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are

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Chief Keef: The Pioneer of Trap Music

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Photo Source: AS USA

Chief Keef stands as a trailblazing figure who reshaped the genre and introduced a new wave of music known as drill. Being raised in Chicago's South Side, Chief Keef's rise to fame was marked by his raw and unfiltered lyrics, distinct flow, and the creation of a genre that would influence a generation of artists.

Born Keith Farrelle Cozart on August 15, 1995, Chief Keef emerged from humble beginnings to become a transformative force in the hip-hop scene. Keef’s breakthrough came in 2012 when he dropped his album “Finally Rich”, which contained hit songs such as “Love Sosa” and “I Don’t Like”. The song “I Don’t Like” caught the attention of a major artist Kanye West who produced a remix of the song. This remix by West propelled Keef into the mainstream, marking his breakthrough in the music industry.

Chief Keef's most significant contribution to the hip-hop landscape is the creation of drill music. Originating in Chicago, drill music is characterized by its gritty and often violent lyrical content, coupled with hard-hitting beats and a distinctive delivery style. Chief Keef's lyrics vividly depicted the realities of life in Chicago's violent neighborhoods, giving listeners a glimpse into the harsh conditions he and others faced daily.

Chief Keef's influence extended beyond his music impacting fashion and slang in the hip-hop community. His signature dreadlocks, face tattoos, and minimalist style inspired a new wave of fashion trends within the genre.

In reality, Chief Keef’s influence is undeniable. He not only pioneered a genre of rap, but he influenced a whole era in social media, fashion and trends. His legacy and influence will continue to be appreciated as many artists recognize him as a G.O.A.T. Artists will continue to use Chief Keef’s music to influence, and inspire their own creations.