Analysis Of Chief Keef's Love Sosa

For a long time, rap music has been critiqued in spreading messages of violence, drug usage, misogyny, objectification of women, homophobia, and nihilism, among others to young people (Kubrin, 2005). One such song whose lyrics not only contain some of these messages, but also misconceptions about criminal activity and gang lifestyles is “Love Sosa” (2012) by Chicago drill rapper Chief Keef.
Throughout “Love Sosa”—and in many of Chief Keef’s other songs—Keef refers to himself as Sosa. This nickname is based off of Scarface character Alejandro Sosa who is an international drug lord in the film. Those who listen to rap would find that several rappers (i.e., Nas, Future, Rich Homie Quan) typically compare themselves to Scarface’s main character

Tony Montana, but by comparing himself to Sosa, Montana’s boss, Keef is basically saying that he surpasses other rappers (GMG, 2012).

Also like Sosa, Keef has had experience in being a drug dealer. He admits this in the following lyrics: “b***h I done sell soda, and I done sell coca”, which refer to powder cocaine and crack cocaine, respectively (Cozart & Pittman, 2012, 45-46).
Furthermore, Keef’s lyrics suggest that he is part of a gang. Keef starts off by saying where he is from when he raps, “O End or no end”, which is in reference to O-Block, a block in Chicago (Cozart & Pittman, 2012, 2; GMG, 2012). When he says “O End or no end,” Keef is essentially saying, either you are with him and his crew from O-Block or you are against them. If against, you risk getting “f***d over”

(i.e., beaten or even killed) (Cozart & Pittman, 2012, 2-5). Thus, Keef claims turf and he threatens those who challenge him and his crew, also common of young gang members (Shelden, Tracy, & Brown, 2013). Further in the hook, Keef claims, “Hit him with that cobra. Now that boy slumped over. They do it all for Sosa” (Cozart & Pittman, 2012, 7-9). Here, Keef aka Sosa is suggesting that his crew are so loyal to him that they would even kill for him using a cobra, which is a type of firearm (GMG, 2012). Likewise, Keef claims that he does not like arguing and would rather use his “llama” (slang for another type of gun) to decide over confrontations (Cozart & Pittman, 2012, 19-20). In Kubrin (2005), it was mentioned that guns are easily and widely accessible in poor black communities. Due to this accessibility, guns not only escalate verbal arguments into potential homicides, they also give the carrier a sense of power (Kubrin, 2005). This phenomenon is apparent in Keef’s music. Also apparent is Keef’s demand for respect such as when he raps, “Disrespect them O Boys. You won't speak again boy” (Cozart & Pittman, 2012, 11-12). In lecture, we learned that an emphasis on respect in the streets is linked to the code of the street, a set of informal rules that govern how individuals act in inner-city communities. One important part of the code is maintaining respect at all costs and using violence against those who violate it. Keef appears to uphold this aspect of the code by asserting that a person who talks badly about the O Boys/O-Block crew will receive violence.
One final theme throughout this song is Keef’s need to prove his masculinity by bragging that he has money and girls. To claim his material wealth, Keef boasts that he has “Raris [Ferrari’s] and Rovers [Range Rovers], Convertibles, Lambos [Lamborghinis]” (Cozart & Pittman, 2012, 22-23). Keef also repeatedly claims that he has a lot of girls and that they all love him (Cozart & Pittman, 2012).
Overall, from these lyrics it is clear that Keef reflects some of the qualities of young gang members.

He aligns himself with a crew called the O-Boys. He and his crew have also established turf via a block in Chicago. Furthermore, he admits to having been engaged in criminal activity by dealing powder and crack cocaine. Keef and his crew also seem to ascribe to the code of the street, believing that violence is necessary if they are disrespected. Just as referenced in the title, the message of the song is that people love Chief Keef aka Sosa. Keef makes it known that if you don't love him, you should at least fear and respect him otherwise you risk getting hurt or worse. In this sense, Keef almost likens himself to a "god", one who should be feared and respected, but never challenged. Lastly, it seems that Keef has the desire to build up his reputation on the street by projecting a tough and violent image, while asserting his

masculinity.
In listening to this song, it is likely that youth, particularly inner-city males, will be influenced to think that the lifestyle that Keef leads is admirable. Not only is he respected by his crew, but he also has lots of money and receives attention from girls. These youth may also be socialized to act in a similar way as Keef and use violence when perceived to be disrespected and engage in delinquent activity without fear of consequences, as this song does not mention any thus contributing even further to misconceptions. Not to mention that Keef is young—he was only 17-years-old when he recorded this song—thereby making his influence even more powerful. All in all, it is safe to say that all of these elements portrayed in Keef’s lyrics, may negatively socialize youth.