Written by: Oliver Heffron
Score: 9/10
Twelve years after bursting onto the center stage of hip-hop at the age of sixteen, Southside Chicago’s prodigal son ascends to the sound he was born to create with his magnum opus: Almighty So 2. Producing all but one track himself, Chief Keef hand-crafts a masterpiece that takes drill production to new heights by raising a gothic cathedral of spiritual vocal samples, cinematic orchestral movements, and 808 drumrolls that shake its foundation like an artillery barrage. Stepping to the pulpit with a newfound clarity and lyrical focus, Sosa anchors the saga of epic instrumentals with unrelenting testaments to the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of his long journey home, evincing a striking hunger to prove himself despite being maybe the most respected artist of his generation.
It’s hard to believe that Chief Keef (aka Keith Cozart) is 28 years old. It’s even harder to imagine what his life was like at 16. After blowing up to astronomical proportions with Kanye West’s remix of “I Don’t Like,” the teenager quickly found himself in both a bidding war between the industry’s titans and a gang war in his hometown that relocated him permanently to Los Angeles–not returning to Chicago until only earlier this year. In the decade-plus since, Keef’s popularity and respect have seen highs and lows with one consistent–consistency. Dropping over 40 mixtapes in those years, Keef has been steadily chipping at his craft, producing more tracks with each release as he honed in on the final form.
Photo Credit: Casimir Spaulding
2021’s 4NEM was a significant step in Sosa’s evolution, its newfound combination of clear vocals and immersive production receiving critical acclaim and foreshadowing the distinct sound he was about to create. However, one project has always eluded him–the follow-up to his first self-released mixtape, Almighty So. First announcing the sequel in 2018, Almighty So 2 grew to mythic status as fans assumed it was never coming after being pushed from its 2022 release date. A project rarely goes through a half-decade of delays and still fulfills the fans, but Almighty So 2 is rare. It’s that scarcely observed moment when talent reaches its potential and an artist fires on all cylinders (BANG!), and it’s the best Chief Keef project since Finally Rich.
Introducing the album with a cataclysmic cacophony of domestic arguments, approaching police sirens, baritone DJ braggadocio, and the hair-raising progression of “O Fortuna” on “Almighty (Intro),” Keef’s detailed production uplifts his patented drill sound to epic, biblical proportions. Continuing the 13th-century sample, “Neph Nem” sees Sosa and fellow Chicago icons Ballout and G Herbo deliver a drill clinic over the infamous string section paired with ferocious 808 kicks–one of many times Keef innovatively beats on the massive bass sound like a marching band snare. Continuing to display the chemistry shown on “DAMN SHORTY,” Keef and Sexyy Red team up over a polished version of the woozy, raw, and head-bopping sound of Sosa’s early mixtapes on “Grape Trees,” bringing out the best of their charismatic, spontaneous styles.
“Too Trim” sets a cinematic stage of thunderous rainclouds, roaring chainsaws, and massive brass swells before Sosa emerges like a hero in the night, delivering impassioned verses and his most infectious hook of the project. On the project’s most impressive, ambitious beat, “Drifting Away,” Keef seamlessly combines a hypnotic vocal loop, classic lofi trap horns, blaring 808s, and a slithering flute melody into an ever-changing showcase of production prowess that both takes back credit from Kanye for “inventing drill” while paying tribute to his influence on Keef’s DIY production approach with a“Kanye-ass beat.”
Photo Credit: Casimir Spaulding
While much of Almighty So 2 pays tribute to the dark, violent sound that Keef created, it also presents more hope and joy than any of his past projects without losing its holy theme. “Treat Myself” expresses Sosa’s maturation with self-affirmations over spacey organs and descending, angelic choir vocals, “Runner” sees Keef look back on his street upbringing over a dusty 70s sample, while “1,2,3” breathes a warm spirit to the tracklist with its masterful Bobby Womack samples and joyous verses that feel like a victory lap. In the most unexpected pairing of the year, Keef throws an ally-oop to ascending Chicago alt-rap icon Tierra Whack, who absolutely obliterates the church-bell-centric trap groove of “Banded Up.”
On “Believe,” maybe his most forthcoming track to date, Keef takes the heat for the album delay over euphoric vocal samples and ear-tickling synths before delivering candid bars on his maturation (“I ain’t gon’ lie, n****, sick of buying cars”), personal shortcomings (“Tryna learn how to treat these women, man / Sad to say I turned out just like my damn daddy, man”), and traumatic upbringing (“I’m that kid, I ain’t get to be a kid / Early age I started selling dope like my people did / I was in and out of my people fridge / Smart as shit, most of the time had to be an evil kid.”) The track is a testament to his growth and perseverance not only as an artist but as a person, a change reflected in his willingness to sit down and be open in an interview after years of avoiding real answers.
While Sosa’s past persona–who admits he would’ve answered “300” to every question a few years ago–clearly holds an essential place in the history of hip-hop, it’s gratifying to watch a matured Chief Keef reclaim his image and sound by pushing himself musically and personally to finally realize the potential his loyal fans have always seen in him. Almighty So 2 is a triumphant culmination of the path Sosa’s forged for himself in the decade-plus since the first installment and a definitive display of his immense talent. It’s a testament to the importance of patience and freedom for artists to find their identity naturally. With nothing left to prove, Chief Keef could step away from the mic and be a legend forever, but it’s clear he’s just hitting his stride and has much more to say.