In a shocking revelation, former Interscope executive Larry Jackson disclosed that Chief Keef was once on an FBI watchlist and had a $50,000 bounty on his head during his teenage years. Speaking on The New York Times’ Popcast, Jackson shared insights about the serious threats to Keef’s life and freedom that emerged shortly after the label signed him in 2012.
Jackson recounted receiving a call from a friend connected to the FBI, who informed him of the grave situation surrounding the young artist. “He told me that this kid [Chief Keef] was on a watchlist. He also told me that there is a $50,000 hit out on this kid and you may want to do something about it,” Jackson explained. This alarming information prompted Jackson to take a more personal approach, stepping into a mentor role for Keef amidst the chaos surrounding his rise to fame.
As part of his efforts to help Keef, Jackson wrote a persuasive letter to a judge, which proved effective in keeping the artist out of jail. “That’s not the traditional, vocational perspective of an A&R executive,” Jackson noted humorously, emphasizing the depth of the situation beyond the typical industry narrative of signing a hot artist.
Chief Keef, who signed with Interscope for $6 million following the success of his breakout drill anthem “I Don’t Like,” faced significant legal challenges early in his career. After the release of his debut album Finally Rich in 2012, he was dropped by the label just two years later due to ongoing legal issues.
Despite his turbulent past, which included a series of arrests starting in 2011 for serious offenses and a notable shootout with police, Chief Keef has managed to maintain a relatively low profile in recent years. His last arrest occurred in 2017 for possession of cannabis, resulting in a no-contest plea and a suspended sentence.
As he continues to navigate the music industry, Chief Keef’s journey serves as a reminder of the complexities and dangers that can accompany fame, especially for young artists emerging from challenging environments. Now at 29, he remains a significant figure in hip-hop, reflecting on a past that was fraught with peril but has ultimately shaped his identity and career.
