Photo courtesy of Andrew Barber
Chicago legend Chief Keef has really “Earned It” his entire career.
With an inimitable influence as a culture-shifting icon during the 2010s drill movement, the 4NEM rapper now has his sights on his future as a head honcho — announcing his new label, 43B (aka Forget Everybody) on Monday (June 6). Partnering with RBC Records and BMG, Keef also revealed that the first signee to his newfound imprint would be rising Atlanta rapper Lil Gnar.
Sosa clearly has faith in his process, bringing on his longtime manager Idris Dykes as co-CEO and Sophie Kautz as head of A&R and marketing — a role she held with his previous collective Glo Gang. He gave further insight about 43B in an interview with Variety, saying he wants to “pass on my knowledge of the industry” unto the next generation of independent artists.
“43B has been a passion project of mine for over a year and I’m ready to give artists that are changing the game a label where they can really succeed. I’ve been independent for almost 10 years, so I want to pass on my knowledge of the industry to artists who are shifting the culture so they can make it to the top.”
Chief Keef in a statement to Variety
Dykes also had a few words to say about the venture, stating: “I’m incredibly excited about the formation of 43B. This partnership with BMG offers us the opportunity to bring the dynamic & forward-thinking ideas on ownership and individuality that Chef Keef has championed throughout his career into the infrastructure of our new venture. We’re thrilled to give the most innovative artists of the next generation the platform and resources to thrive in this industry.”
Similarly, Lil Gnar’s signing didn’t seem to come out of left field, as he and Sosa previously collaborated on “NEW BUGATTI” alongside Ski Mask the Slump God last year — in turn paving the way for them to cultivate a partnership. Both Gnar and Keef dropped fantastic projects (4NEM and DIE BOUT IT) in the last year, leading fans to speculate what new music is to come in the near future.
Check out Lil Gnar, Ski Mask and Chief Keef’s “New Bugatti” below!
