Drill music

Other rappers, such as Lil JoJo, FBG Duck, S. Dot,[9] Edai, L'A Capone, RondoNumbaNine, SD and producer Leek-E-Leek also contributed to the early drill scene.

After the initial momentum of the subgenre subsided, Chicago drill saw a resurgence in the mainstream during the late 2010s and early 2020s with trailblazing artists such as King Von, Polo G, Calboy and a revamped Lil Durk.

Drill rappers use a grim, deadpan delivery,[33] often filtered through Auto-Tune, influenced by the "stoned, aimless warbling of Soulja Boy (one of the earliest non-local Keef collaborators) and Lil Wayne before him.

"[42] A profile on the scene in The New York Times examined the genre's aggression: "With rare exception this music is unmediated and raw and without bright spots, focused on anger and violence.

"[32]Stehlik called drill production style the "sonic cousin to skittish footwork, southern-fried hip-hop and the 808 trigger-finger of trap.

[45] Chicago drill is traditionally characterized by synth brass and bell melodic elements, use of the crash cymbal, and busy snare drum patterns.

"[50] Dro City rapper Pac Man, considered the stylistic originator and forefather of the subgenre, is credited as the first to apply the term to the local hip hop music.

[32][54] The Independent's Sam Gould wrote that Chief Keef "represents both a scary strain of current hip hop culture and a seriously alienated group within American society.

"[40] YouTube was a platform for many drill rappers to release their music videos on, and ultimately significantly contributed to the genre's popularity.

[14] By late 2012, rappers from other scenes and hip hop stars like Kanye West, Drake and Rick Ross were collaborating with drill musicians.

[59] New Jersey DJ Akademiks's commentary YouTube channel 'War in Chiraq' played a significant role in presenting the early Chicago drill scene to a wider audience.

[62] Videographer ZackTV also played a significant role in the exposure of Chicago's early drill scene to a wider audience.

ZackTV's work also sparked a media niche of intimate on-scene video journalism of the Chicago gangland culture behind the drill music, which had not been done before at the time.

[68][69][70] Despite the warm critique, "Finally Rich" sold an underwhelming 50,000 units, which resulted in record labels subsequently losing interest in drill, deeming it a "fad".

[88][89][90] Pop Smoke's song "Welcome to the Party", produced by 808Melo was a prominent release in 2019 and saw remixes from Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill and British MC Skepta.

[98][99] A shooting by alleged attempted murderer C Blu, who is signed to Interscope Records, also gave rise to concerns, echoing the 1990s era gangsta rap controversy.

[100] In response to the epidemic of death arising out of the diss elements in the scene, in early 2022 a number of prominent New York DJs and music influencers, including DJ Drewski at Hot 97, Joe Budden, Ebro Darden of "Ebro in the Morning" on Hot 97, D Teck, and Power 105.1's DJ Gabe P either vowed to stop playing gang/diss records or re-iterated their refusal to play such content.

[101][102][103] In September 2022, the New York police department removed local drill artists from Rolling Loud festival, allegedly, due to concerns of public safety.

[104] The 2023 We TV drama series Kold x Windy revolves around two women, played by Sh’Kia Augustin and Nijah Brenea, trying to make it in the violent world of Chicago drill music.