CHICAGO, Ill. — Chief Keef (born Keith Cozart), the highly influential American rapper and record producer, is the subject of a recurring phenomenon: widespread online rumors of his death by gunfire. Contrary to persistent misinformation circulating on social media, Chief Keef has not been fatally shot or seriously injured in any confirmed recent incident as of early 2026.
Chief Keef obituary: Despite persistent online rumors, Chief Keef, the pioneering Chicago drill artist, is alive. Multiple credible sources and fact-checking reports consistently debunk claims of his shooting death as hoaxes originating from satire websites. The rapper himself has publicly dismissed these false stories on his official social media channels.
The most significant verified shooting-related event in Chief Keef’s history occurred in June 2018 outside the W Hotel in New York City’s Times Square. According to NYPD reports and outlets like Pitchfork, shots were fired as the rapper exited the hotel in the early morning. While evidence of gunfire was found, Chief Keef was not struck and emerged physically unharmed. Later federal racketeering cases linked the attempt to an associate of rival rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine.
This incident stands in stark contrast to the tragic fate of several close associates, highlighting the violent backdrop of the Chicago scene. In separate events, Capo (Marvin Carr), a member of Keef’s Glo Gang, and his cousin Big Glo (Mario Hess) were both shot and killed, underscoring the real dangers surrounding his circle.
One of the earliest documented encounters with gunfire dates to 2011, when Chicago police fired shots after Keef allegedly brandished a weapon during a confrontation; he was apprehended but not injured.
Chief Keef remains a seminal figure in hip-hop, credited with defining the Chicago drill sound through hits like “I Don’t Like” and “Love Sosa.” His career continues, marked by musical influence and ongoing public life. The distinction between verified events, like the 2018 attempt, and baseless online death hoaxes is crucial in accurately reporting on the artist and the narrative of violence often associated with his name.
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