Keef points to past use of “lean,” slang for the prescription cough syrup popular in some rap circles. “My last two mixtapes were mistakes,” he admits. “I was on promethazine, all drugged out. I was tweaking. I don’t sip the lean no more though.”
Keef’s contract reportedly included a clause that Interscope could drop him if “Finally Rich” didn’t sell at least 250,000 copies by December 2013. In light of Keef’s troubles, many wondered if the label would do just that. But Interscope executive VP of urban A&R Larry Jackson, who signed Keef after meeting him at his grandmother’s house, says the label is behind Keef and “Bang 3.”
“He sold 300,000 with no promotion,” Jackson says, citing the label’s worldwide sales figures for “Finally Rich.” “People can say it was a stupid deal, but the project is in the black. Our marketing spend on it was literally crumbs.’ Jackson points to the video for “Love Sosa,” which has more than 36 million views on YouTube. “We spent $1,500 on that. I know videos that they’ve blown $500,000 on that don’t have that many views.”
Jackson and Keef declined to reveal much about “Bang 3.” A photo of them in the studio with Kanye West, who will appear on the album, was leaked on Instagram in February, inciting the -album’s biggest buzz to date. Drill’s go-to producer, Young Chop, will also contribute. The first single, the aptly titled “Fuck Rehab,” is expected soon.
But Keef’s plans for pushing the album hinge on a Feb. 28 court date. That’s when he will return to Chicago, where a judge will either deem his recovery successful or order him back to rehab. The owner of Wavelengths— who would only give his first name, Warren, citing the facility’s emphasis on privacy — is optimistic. “His recovery is moving in a very positive direction. I think he’s ready to move forward. He’s a very kind young man.”