The Chicago rapper whose real name is Keith Cozart didn't get to finish his benefit concert because authorities quickly pulled the plug on the show.
- Jul 27, 2015
AceShowbiz - Chief Keef hologram concert in Hammond, Indiana was cut short by authorities. The rapper appeared via hologram at Craze Fest at the Pavilion at Wolf Lake but police quickly cut the power. Before the gig was shut down, he reportedly managed to perform song "I Don't Like" and urged the crowd to "stop the violence."
The show was to pay tribute to rapper Capo who died in a fatal shooting in Chicago and to raise funds for the family of a toddler who was killed by a car fleeing the scene. Authorities had warned promoters that they would shut down the show if Keef performed, arguing that it "posed a significant public safety risk."
Craze Fest's promoter Devon Bonaparte did say, "I told everybody that [Chief Keef wasn't performing] because at first we weren't going to do it. After we talked to the cops, we thought maybe we wouldn't do it. But at the end of the night, we just thought, hey, let go for it ... "
Meanwhile, Alki David who backed the benefit concert ranted as quoted by Chicago Sun-Times, "Shame on the mayor and police chief of Hammond for shutting down a voice that can create positive change in a community in desperate need. And for taking away money that could have gone to help the victims' families."
"This was a legal event and there was no justification to shut it down besides your glaring disregard for the First Amendment right to free speech. You've clearly been bullied by the proud mayor of the Murder Capitol of the U.S., Rahm Emanuel. Mark my words if you censor us you only make us stronger. Plus we'll be back to sue your a**."
Before Keef made a surprise appearance via hologram in Hammond, there had been confusion about the venue of the benefit concert. At first, it was announced to take place July 17 at the Redmoon Theater. He planned to appear via hologram because he couldn't be in Chicago due to outstanding warrants.
The concert didn't happen due to opposition from the Mayor Emanuel and Rev. Michael Pfleger from St. Sabina Catholic Church. "Chief Keef has announced that he will hold a benefit concert to raise funds for his friend and the Baby who were killed...REALLY...Chief Keef is one of the reasons we have all this violence...he has been one of the encourager's of the Violence," the pastor explained online.
The show was then announced to be held at Lincoln Hall but it didn't happen either.
