Three regional drill classics

Chief Keef – I Don’t Like (2012)

1 Produced by regular collaborator Young Chop, Chief Keef’s debut single marked one of the key moments when drill crossed over into mainstream hip-hop consciousness, helping to define the sound as a distinct spin-off of trap. Aged just 17 when the track was released, Keef’s lyrics are literally a street-level list of “shit I don’t like”, from snitches to “sneak dissers”. The follow-up, Love Sosa, cemented Keef’s status as one of the hottest rappers of the last decade.

67 feat Giggs – Let’s Lurk (2016)

2

Credited as one of the first acts to bring Chicago’s drill aesthetic to the UK, London’s 67 teamed up with Giggs on this definitive track, showcasing the group’s sinister, claustrophobic sound. The track’s instrumental, produced by GottiOnEm and Mazza, was originally used by 86 on the track

Lurk but found crossover success as the backing for Man’s Not Hot by novelty rap character Big Shaq, aka Michael Dapaah.

Pop Smoke – Welcome To The Party (2019)

3 Another debut single from a teenager, 19-year-old Pop Smoke’s choice of production for Welcome To The Party epitomises the cross-pollination of US and UK drill. Finding a beat by London producer 808 Melo via YouTube, the Brooklyn rapper reimported the London sound to the States. Further collaborations with London producers continued at a pace until the rapper’s untimely death in a home invasion, aged just 20.