Chief Keef Running For Mayor of Chicago
Who would be better to run a city with endemic violence than someone who's lived through it?
This appears to be the question guiding the political ambitions of Keith Cozart, the 19-year-old better known to legions of fans as Chief Keef. The rapper and central figure of Chicago's drill scene—trap- and crunk-influenced rap based in the city's most violent neighborhoods—took to Twitter on Monday with an announcement, however intentional, that he would be running for mayor:
I'm running for mayor of Chicago..... Vote for me!!!! It'll be the best thing done yet!!!!! Yall gonna love me in the Office.....
— AlmightySo (@ChiefKeef) July 27, 2015While it remains unclear whether or not this is more intentional than when Killer Mike sought out political office (in a move that he's since labeled "a publicity stunt" on "Sway in the Morning"), the timing couldn't be better. Cozart recently found himself back at the center of controversy when a Chicago benefit performance (for which he was to appear hologram-ed from Beverly Hills) to support the family of a killed infant was shut down by police. Cozart fired back at the move by tweeting out the number for Mayor Rahm Emanuel's offices:
Call Mayor of Chicago @rahmemanuel 312-744-5000 and tell him to stay the fuck off the people's music #StopTheViolenceNow ------
— AlmightySo (@ChiefKeef) July 27, 2015(H/t Complex)