Rapper Keith Cozart, better known as Chief Keef, was born to a teenage mother and dropped out of high school to focus on his music with his teenage friend and producer Young Chop, aka Tyree Pittman. A series of mix tapes and club performances built a significant viral following. Soon the major label Interscope -- the home of Dr. Dre and Eminem -- eventually signed him.
In 2011, his life took a turn when he was arrested for pointing a gun at a Chicago police officer and sentenced to 18 months probation. He later served 60 days in jail when he violated probation by firing a rifle in a music video.
In 2012, he found himself in the middle of a murder investigation when aspiring rapper Joseph Coleman, also known as Lil Lojo, was gunned down outside his boyhood home in Englewood. Hours after Coleman's death, Chief Keef sent a taunting tweet about the slain rapper, prompting Chicago police to look into whether their war of words led to the killing. Chief Keef was never charged with any wrongdoing in Coleman's death.
In May 2013, Chief Keef was arrested in Atlanta for smoking marijuana in a hotel room, and was arrested again a week later for going 110 mph on the Edens Expressway in Chicago's northern suburbs.
Keith Cozart, known as the rap artist Chief Keef, was sentenced to 20 days in Cook County Jail on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013 after testing positive for marijuana, officials said. — Cook County Sheriff's Dept., Oct. 15, 2013
Keith Cozart, known as the rap artist Chief Keef, posted a message on his Instagram account Oct. 15, 2013, telling followers he was turning himself into jail. Cozart was sentenced to 20 days in Cook County Jail this morning after testing positive for marijuana, officials said. [Graphic language has been blacked out.] — Instagram / cheifkeefsossa, Oct. 15, 2013
Chief Keef performs at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park. — Lenny Gilmore, RedEye, July 15, 2012
Sixteen-year-old Chicago rapper Chief Keef stands in the lobby at his on the South Side of Chicago. — Lenny Gilmore, RedEye, April 30, 2012
Sixteen-year-old Chicago rapper Chief Keef leans on his bed at home on the South Side of Chicago. — Lenny Gilmore, RedEye, April 30, 2012
Fans gather cheers during Chief Keef's performance at Lollapalooza in Grant Park. — Brock Brake, RedEye, Aug. 4, 2012
Chief Keef performs at Lollapalooza in Grant Park. — Mike Rich, RedEye, Aug. 4, 2012
Chief Keef performs at Lollapalooza in Grant Park with fans gathering around him. — Brock Brake, RedEye, Aug. 4, 2012
Chief Keef performs at Lollapalooza in Grant Park. — Brock Brake, RedEye, Aug. 4, 2012
Sixteen-year-old Chicago rapper Chief Keef shows his tattoos at home on the South Side of Chicago. — Lenny Gilmore, RedEye, April 30, 2012
Chief Keef's mother waits for her son outside the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, wearing a "free Sosa" shirt. Sosa is another name Chief Keef goes by. — Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune, March 14, 2013
Chief Keef arrives at Cook County Juvenile Center for his sentence the next day. — Abel Uribe, Chicago Tribune, Jan. 2, 2013
Chief Keef, 17, holds his daughter before leaving the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. He had been on an 18-month probation after his conviction for pointing a gun at a Chicago police officer in 2011. — Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune, March 14, 2013
A woman walks down Cottage Grove, past a Chief Keef billboard in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago. — Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune, Feb. 6, 2013
