Almighty So
Almighty So is a mixtape by American rapper Chief Keef, released on October 12, 2013, as his seventh official project in the genre.[1][2] Self-released under his Glory Boyz Entertainment imprint and hosted by DJ Scream, the project consists of 15 tracks with a total runtime of 38 minutes that exemplify Chief Keef's signature Chicago drill sound, characterized by aggressive beats, auto-tuned flows, and street-oriented lyrics.[3][4] The mixtape features production from a variety of contributors including ISOBeats, YGOnDaBeat, and CM$ Beats, blending trap-influenced instrumentation with drill's hallmark hi-hats and ominous basslines to create a raw, energetic atmosphere.[5] Guest appearances are limited but include fellow Chicago artists Tadoe on "Me" and "Self," and Cdai on "Sucka," adding to the local flavor.[5] Notable songs such as "Baby What's Wrong with You" and "In Love With the Gwop" highlight Chief Keef's playful yet boastful delivery, focusing on themes of wealth, loyalty, and urban life.[5] Upon release, Almighty So received mixed initial reception for its repetitive style amid Chief Keef's prolific output, but it has since garnered a dedicated cult following for its role in evolving drill music.[6] Critics and fans later recognized it as a pivotal work that influenced the SoundCloud rap era and subsequent hip-hop subgenres, evidenced by its high retrospective ratings and the 2024 sequel Almighty So 2.[4] The project's enduring impact underscores Chief Keef's innovation in trap and drill, cementing its place in early 2010s rap history.[7]Background and recording
Development and context
Almighty So marked Chief Keef's seventh mixtape, arriving just two months after his previous project, Bang, Pt. 2, in August 2013, as part of a flurry of self-released efforts through his Glory Boyz Entertainment imprint.[5][3] This rapid output came in the wake of his 2012 signing to Interscope Records for the major-label debut Finally Rich, amid growing tensions with the label stemming from his mounting legal troubles that year.[8] By mid-2013, the 17-year-old Keef had become a central figure in Chicago's drill scene, pioneering its aggressive, bass-heavy sound while navigating probation violations and arrests, including a high-profile speeding incident in June that highlighted his ongoing conflicts with authorities.[9][10] The mixtape's creation reflected Keef's push for creative autonomy outside major-label constraints, allowing him to deliver unfiltered drill aesthetics during a period of transition following his mainstream breakthrough. Conceptualized in late summer 2013, Almighty So emphasized a raw, hazy production style with sludgy reverb and mumbled delivery, diverging from expectations for more polished, melodic tracks and instead exploring experimental extensions of drill's wall-of-sound intensity.[11][10] This independent approach via Glory Boyz Entertainment enabled Keef to maintain momentum with fans eager for his signature unpolished energy, free from Interscope's oversight as label relations soured.[8] The project was self-released on October 12, 2013, underscoring his reliance on mixtape culture to sustain his influence amid personal and professional challenges.[1]Production and personnel
The production of Almighty So featured contributions from a diverse group of primarily Chicago-based producers, reflecting the collaborative and fast-paced environment of early 2010s drill music. The mixtape was self-released under Chief Keef's Glory Boyz Entertainment imprint and hosted by DJ Scream, who delivered introductory and concluding segments to tie into promotional efforts for the project.[12][13] Recording sessions occurred in local Chicago studios and home setups, enabling the quick, iterative workflow common to drill mixtapes, where tracks were often completed in single sittings to capture raw energy.[14] Featured artists from the Glory Boyz crew played key roles, with Cdai providing verses on "Sucka" to amplify its confrontational tone, and Tadoe contributing to "Me" and "Self," underscoring the crew's tight-knit involvement in Keef's output.[12] The production credits span multiple beatsmiths, each handling specific tracks to create the mixtape's eclectic yet cohesive sound. ISOBeats contributed to several cuts, including "I Kno" (co-produced with OhZone) and "Baby Whats Wrong With You" (co-produced with PhatBoy, listed as Fat Boi on some credits). Other notable producers included Bezz Luciano on "Sucka" and "Salty," Yung Lan on "Ape Shit," and YG On Da Beat on the closer "Yesterday." The full tracklist with production details is as follows:| Track | Title | Producer(s) | Featured Artist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almighty So Intro | CM$ | None | 1:38 |
| 2 | Sucka | Bezz Luciano | Cdai | 4:49 |
| 3 | Ape Shit | Yung Lan | None | 2:02 |
| 4 | Hunchoz | Denis37 | None | 1:56 |
| 5 | In Love With The Gwop | Young Hitmakerz | None | 1:48 |
| 6 | Young Rambos | Abe Beats | None | 2:33 |
| 7 | Blew My High | Trauma Tone | None | 2:37 |
| 8 | Me | LoKey | Tadoe | 3:30 |
| 9 | Self | QuaBeats | Tadoe | 3:09 |
| 10 | Nice | Luke Kelly | None | 2:24 |
| 11 | Salty | Bezz Luciano | None | 2:50 |
| 12 | Woulda Coulda | Jack O'Lantern | None | 1:58 |
| 13 | I Kno | ISO Beats, OhZone | None | 2:26 |
| 14 | Baby Whats Wrong With You | Fat Boi, ISO Beats | None | 2:48 |
| 15 | Yesterday | YG On Da Beat | None | 2:00 |
Release and promotion
Announcement and marketing
Chief Keef first announced Almighty So on Twitter in August 2013, declaring a release date of September 12 as a follow-up to his earlier mixtape Bang, Pt. 2.[16] The mixtape, hosted by DJ Scream, faced delays and was self-released on October 12, 2013, through Glory Boyz Entertainment.[12] To build hype and fan engagement, the project was offered as a free download on LiveMixtapes, aligning with the independent drill rap model's emphasis on accessibility and viral sharing over traditional sales.[17] The release occurred at 10:17 PM, a deliberate homage to Gucci Mane's birthday, further amplifying street-level buzz within hip-hop circles.[17] Marketing relied heavily on social media platforms like Twitter for direct fan interactions and snippet previews on YouTube, fostering anticipation without major label involvement, as Almighty So operated outside Chief Keef's Interscope contract focused on studio albums.[18] No official singles were promoted, but tracks such as "Sucka" featuring Cdai generated immediate street discussion upon rollout.[1] DJ Scream's hosting extended promotion through his radio presence, introducing cuts to broader audiences in the Midwest hip-hop scene.[19]Commercial performance
Almighty So was released as a free mixtape, hosted by DJ Scream, and made available for download on platforms like LiveMixtapes, facilitating broad accessibility within the hip-hop community.[20] This model contributed to its rapid dissemination among fans, though specific initial download figures are not publicly documented. As a non-commercial mixtape, Almighty So did not qualify for official Billboard chart placement, which in 2013 emphasized paid sales and physical units. Nonetheless, it garnered substantial underground traction in the Chicago drill scene, highlighted by features on prominent hip-hop outlets such as The FADER and Rap Radar.[21][22] In the long term, the project has maintained enduring appeal. A resurgence occurred in 2023–2024, aligned with discussions of its 10-year milestone and the May 2024 release of the sequel album Almighty So 2, which debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200 with 23,000 album-equivalent units.[23] The mixtape achieved particular dominance in Midwest urban markets, shaping local DJ rotations and contributing to bootleg circulation in the drill ecosystem. Compared to Chief Keef's earlier 2013 release Bang, Pt. 2, Almighty So sustained similar underground momentum but did not secure mainstream crossover success.[24]Musical content
Style and themes
Almighty So exemplifies Chicago drill music, characterized by heavy 808 bass lines, rapid hi-hats, and minimalistic beats that underscore themes of aggression and street life.[10] The production draws on foundational drill elements, with booming sub-bass and sparse instrumentation creating a raw, intense atmosphere suited to the genre's origins in Chicago's South Side.[15] Unlike more orchestral drill tracks from earlier in Chief Keef's career, the beats here lean toward a hazier, less polished sound, incorporating trap influences while maintaining the core drill aggression without venturing into melodic pop territory.[10] Lyrically, the mixtape explores obsessions with wealth, as seen in tracks like "In Love With the Gwop," where Chief Keef expresses fixation on money and success amid street hustling.[5] Relationship struggles appear in songs such as "Baby Whats Wrong With You," blending personal vulnerability with bravado, while broader themes of violence, gang loyalty, and criminal activity pervade the content, delivered through boasts of armament and defiance.[5][15] Chief Keef's delivery features his signature auto-tuned vocals and ad-lib-heavy flow, often mumbled and energetic, enhancing the chaotic, unfiltered bravado that defines his persona.[17] Compared to his debut album Finally Rich (2012), Almighty So marks an evolution toward more experimental production, embracing a raw, drugged-out cloud rap aesthetic that captures the turbulent energy of 2013's drill scene post-label troubles.[10][14] The mixtape's structure supports this vibe, with short tracks averaging 2-3 minutes, skit-like intros, and repetitive hooks designed for high-energy playback in clubs or cars.[14] This approach builds directly on Chief Keef's foundational drill sound, prioritizing immediacy and replayability over refined cohesion.[17]Track listing
The mixtape Almighty So comprises 15 tracks with a total runtime of 38:30.[4] It opens with an intro hosted by DJ Scream, flows into high-energy tracks characteristic of Chicago drill, and closes on more reflective notes.[5]| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Length | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almighty So Intro | — | 1:38 | CM$ Beats |
| 2 | Sucka | Cdai | 4:49 | Bezz Luciano |
| 3 | Ape Shit | — | 2:02 | Yung Lan |
| 4 | Hunchoz | — | 1:56 | Denis37 |
| 5 | In Love With the Gwop | — | 1:51 | Young Hitmakers |
| 6 | Young Rambos | — | 2:33 | Abe Beats |
| 7 | Blew My High | — | 2:36 | Trauma Tone |
| 8 | Me | Tadoe | 3:30 | Lokey |
| 9 | Self | Tadoe | 3:09 | Qua Beats |
| 10 | Nice | — | 2:24 | Luke Kelly |
| 11 | Salty | — | 2:50 | Bezz Luciano |
| 12 | Woulda Coulda | — | 1:58 | Jack O'Lantern |
| 13 | I Kno | — | 2:26 | ISO Beats, OhZone |
| 14 | Baby Whats Wrong With You | — | 2:48 | PhatBoy, ISO Beats |
| 15 | Yesterday | — | 2:00 | YG On Da Beat |