July 22, 2025

Chief Keef and Chicago Violence Ruining our Youth

Recently read a post by Wanja Lange with http://www.istillloveher.de which kind of summarized how I felt as well on this situation, and with little time to write myself I have included her email post below. She calls for activism which I believe is neccessary in this case, we need to let the youth know that this will not be tolerated! Human life is precious and not to be taken lightly.
First off, before I get to ways to better this situation, I would like to state that
I obviously do not have all the background information about this murder. Neither am I saying that Jojo (the kid that was killed) was completely innocent.

What happened with JoJo and Keef and everybody else who was involved is really just an example of what is going on not just in Chicago, but everywhere. And it should be a wake up call. The fact that a kid was killed and a popular rapper with a reach of millions made fun of it, THAT’s what my concern is.

I also to not blame Hip Hop for Jojos death. When I said “Hip Hop killed a kid” I didnt mean that literally. Of course Hip Hop didnt kill him. But to society, it did.
For someone in the public like Chief Keef to glorify this kids death is horrifying to me. Because that can cause so many more kids to be misguided than gangs ever can.

The events this week have made me think a lot. And have made me realize that in order to change the way Hip Hop is now, we need to influence the next generation in a positive way.
We need to give them what was given to us when we were their age.
Balance. Choice.

My generation and the one before mine, most the them have children now. I’m 28 and don’t have any, but I plan to in the future and I want my kids to find music as a source of inspiration, creativity and comfort, like I did myself.
I know that most Hip Hop heads my age and older have children now and feel the same way I do, want their kids to appreciate good music, and also not to be exposed to a lot of this bullish** that’s on the media.

The problem is that the kids between 10 – 20 only hear what is being served to them. What their parents listen to. What the radio and TV plays. And they may not be able to understand that violence and crime is wrong, because their favorite rapper tells them otherwise.
I believe that it’s our job to give them an alternative. Because the media doesn’t. Of course we can’t ban TV and radio completely. But we can give the new generation balance. We can let them hear good hip hop. The kind we love and grew up on. And then they can decide for themselves what they want to listen to.

I’ve been thinking long and hard about all of this. And I think I may have found a way to start taking steps in the right direction.

I want to start a non profit organization, I haven’t figured out the name yet (I’m open to suggestions) but something like “Hip Hop for the Kids”. One idea is to come out with free mixtapes of kid friendly music. This doesn’t mean no cussing, it means Hip Hop with a positive message. I’m not saying everything has to be preachy or conscious. It can be party music too. But nothing that glorifies violence, drugs, disrespecting women and minorities or crime. A good mix of new and old Hip Hop. Of Hip Hop with a message and even without, but NO negativity. So the kids can choose for themselves what they like.

We can give these mixtapes to the parents or the kids themselves. Parents will know that this music will not influence their children in a negative way and they will make it a point to put their kids on to it, rather than having them listen to the radio.

Kids are so smart, when we give them choices other than what the media gives them, they will make the right one.
Another thing that needs to be done is workshops, teaching the kids how to DJ, breakdance, graffiti, rap.. Whatever they want to learn. Keep them off the streets and also show them what Hip Hop really is. An art form. An expression of self.

I also believe that there should be a community of bloggers who agree not to support this kind of rap music. I have never supported it on my blog personally, just because I don’t like it. But overall I think it would be great to have a community of bloggers who will take a stand against this music.
Bloggers are so important nowadays, they can make a difference!

I will need help from artists, DJs, Graffiti writers, B-boys & Girls, activists, bloggers, fans, parents, teachers.
I would like to do this locally and globally, wherever people are down to help.

Do you have any other ideas? Do you think this will help? Are YOU down to help?

In recent events:
Apparently Interscope is thinking about dropping Chief Keef from their label, due to the backlash from people all over the US yesterday.
Also his affiliates Lil Reese and Lil Durk (who also tweeted recklessly about the murder of Lil JoJo) have been removed from Def Jam’s website.
Also Pitchfork.com retracted a video interview they had conducted at a gun range with Chief Keef earlier this year and apologized for ever posting it.

THIS is how we can bring change! This is how we have power over this billion dollar industry! Many of you think there’s nothing we can do. But there this. This is what the Internet is useful for! When enough people speak up and openly state that they will not support a cause or individual, then the people up there in their offices HAVE to react, in order to keep making money.

References:

http://pitchfork.com/news/47761-retracting-the-chief-keef-selector-video/

 

The Child Gunned Down by Violence Associate with Chief Keef

Comments

  1. I WANNA HELP

  2. Honestly, that would be a stupid move for Interscope to drop Chief Keef based soley on “Tweeters” tweets. Twitter in itself is a festering sess pool of meaningless drama, an un-natural form of communication, and way too powerful of an influence taken way too seriously. To defend the kid just because he was shot doesn’t make any sense, you have to take into account his actions and responsibility in the situation too.

    I think people need to be realistic about the situation and look at it for what it really is, not what they think it should be, look at the big picture. The kid was taking shots at the other rappers and getting himself involved violently as an enemy and opposer of a rival gang, what the hell do you think is going to happen? You sit there and make diss tracks on you-tube, point guns at cops, get caught up for gun charges, provoke and taunt your rivals… how could you defend that in any way? It’s the perfect example of what not to do… don’t threaten people with violence, don’t instigate violence directly toward others, and don’t start needless fights. “Don’t start no shit won’t be no shit” simple as that.

    To criticize Chief Keef because of his opinion on the matter doesn’t make any sense at all, he shouldn’t be dropped from the label and he shouldn’t be penalized in any way. Coleman was attacking them verbally, Chief Keef is 100% correct in his stance on the situation. That’s the reality of the situation, you fuck with people intentionally & directly, most likely you’re going to feel the wrath of karma. What happens when you point a gun at a cop? You probably get shot right? What happens when you rob a bank? You probably go to jail right? Common sense, don’t be an idiot and bad things won’t happen to you. Simple as that.

    THIS STORY’S VERY SIMPLE LESSON = If you don’t want to get shot by a rival gang member there are 2 very easy steps to take… Step #1 = Don’t initiate violence and start fights verbally or physically with other gang members… Step #2 = Don’t gang bang! Simple as that… no unnecessary emotional, irrational, or unrealistic extras needed.

    I think if you really want to do something positive creating an atmosphere where inner city youth can express their artistic interests and skills in a positive way, like a club, or youth center, or somewhere its safe to promote non-violent, conscious hip-hop, that would be the best alternative. As far as going to war with gangster rap and hating on other people’s lifestyles, just do what you think is right and the right people will follow, you don’t need to oppose anyone or rally against anything, then you’re just extending a different problem, putting yourself in unnecessary danger, and not really accomplishing anything… people are going to be who and what they want to be regardless of what you or a community of “bloggers” thinks about it. If you really want to create change, be part of a solution, don’t cause problems rallying against people that won’t really care what you think anyway… guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

    I think you need to find the artists, youth, that think like you, then find a location for daily practice and shows, then get those artists recorded, create the mix-tape like you were saying, and then spread the word. No activist group or blogging needed. Don’t try to take away from other people’s personal opinions and lifestyle, you will only create a stronger enemy and start a fight where there is no realistic win or accomplishment, you will only further the violence and face the scorn of the people that live that lifestyle, aren’t going to change, don’t care what you think, and are ready to fight violently for their cause. Just because you have a belief or a cause doesn’t give you the right to attack another, all that is a more subtle form of violence

  3. First & foremost,
    These idiots are what the industry has deemed marketable and thus have invested millions in projecting this bullshit image to our people. I’m the CEO of CWAL Inc., been doing business in the industry for years and i’m glad that this shit is finally exposing the major labels for what they really are. They don’t give a fuck about our kids, or for that matter us in general. The artist are projecting what the industry is dictating to them & if they don’t comply, they don’t receive any $. Please wake the fuck up and quit putting this dumbed down bullshit out there and support real hip hop and not death!

  4. First & foremost,
    These idiots are what the industry has deemed marketable and thus have invested millions in projecting this bullshit image to our people. I’m the CEO of CWAL Inc., been doing business in the industry for years and i’m glad that this shit is finally exposing the major labels for what they really are. They don’t give a fuck about our kids, or for that matter us in general. The artist are projecting what the industry is dictating to them & if they don’t comply, they don’t receive any $. Please wake the fuck up and quit putting this dumbed down bullshit out there and support real hip hop and not death!

  5. I admit all this fucked up,its so wrong but thats just how it be there will allways be a chief kief,a 2prime1 and a taylor swift.kief music is rated explicit content so i sugest parents should take note of what their yungins be listening too after all you bought that ipod.i have respect for what you tryna do though,if you ever need to spread the positivity all the way to africa i will be willing to help

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