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The Road to Success: What qualities can we learn from Kpop Idols?

January 28, 2023

What does it take to be a professional singer in South Korea? On stage, these Kpop idols capture our attention with catchy songs and amazing choreographies, but what about off-stage? Behind the ...

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Songwriter's Block: Inspiration Tuning in From Around the World

January 26, 2023

Writer’s block is real, and it’s not just authors, but also songwriters and composers. Thinking of top hit songs can be difficult, so how do the pros do it? Where do they get their inspiration from?

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Arcane: How A Video Game Adaptation Ended Up With A Banger Soundtrack

January 26, 2023

What does a TV show based on a video game and the music industry have in common? Near the end of 2021, Arcane took the world by storm after debuting on Netflix. Not only did it dazzle us with its...

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How Black Pink Should Negotiate Their New Contract with YG Entertainment

January 23, 2023

As the contract between Blackpink and YG Entertainment nears its end, fans of the popular South Korean girl group are wondering if the group will renew their contract with the agency...

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Writer's Block is Real, Even for J.Cole: Here are 8 Tips to Overcome

January 19, 2023

Rapper J. Cole has recently announced that he had been struggling with writer's block, but found a way to break free from it by using a type beat from Youtube music producer BVTMAN's YouTube...

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Hania Rani: A Virtuoso in the World of Classical and Electronic Music

January 19, 2023

Hania Rani is a Polish pianist and composer whose music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "evocative." She is known for her unique blend of classical and electronic music, which she...

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Ryan Tedder’s Studio Review: Writing Three Songs From Scratch

January 16, 2023

Ryan Tedder is a highly accomplished and sought-after music producer and songwriter. He is known for his work with a wide range of artists including: Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and OneRepublic...

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Quentin Miller only got paid $30,000 for writing 6 Drake songs.

January 6, 2022

Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....

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Timbaland’s Beatmaking Masterclass Review: A Class on Feeling the Flow

December 28, 2022

Many artists are using their personal brand and influence to educate artists, from beginners to fellow professionals. Timbaland has partnered with Masterclass to teach musicians how to make unique...

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Rina Sawyama -- The Voice of a Genre-Spanning Pop Star

December 7, 2022

Rina Sawayama has burst into the consciousness of queer music listeners in recent years. My first time listening to her work was Cherry, a track that is bubbly ...

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YouTube Announces New “Creator Music” Platform

October 4, 2022

In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...

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Deep Dive: How Conan Gray Writes His Songs

October 5, 2022

Conan Gray is an American YouTuber turned singer-songwriter, most well-known for his songs about heartbreak and unrequited love. Throughout his career, Conan has written songs like “Crush Culture”...

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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.