Mix #29: In Memory of Killa Keise

Killa Keise first came onto the scene in the late 90's/early 2000's in San Francisco under the late Cougnut and Baldhead Rick and quickly became Cellski's protege at a time when Cellski was arguably the biggest local rapper. Cellski was the mixtape king of the Bay at the time, releasing freestyle mixtapes regularly and Killa Keise was featured on many of those tapes. Cellski and Killa Keise did three duo albums together between '03 and '04 and Cellski also put out Killa Keise's first mixtape and album on his Inner City 2K label. Rather than just riding the coattails of Cellski, in 2005 Killa Keise formed his own group comprised of young talent coming out of San Francisco, called the Killa Squad and they released their sole album the following year. After a stint in jail, Killa Keise began focusing on his solo career again and released a slew of mixtapes and albums before his death.

Killa Squad was Killa Keise, Cam City, Scrooge, Da Robba, and C-Lucciano

In total Killa Keise released three full-lengths, four mixtapes, three duo albums, one group album and did countless features (he collaborated with almost every rapper in the Bay), with his latest release being I'm Wit Tha Shit Music Vol. 1, which was released just this past September.

His rap persona bounced between a cold, heartless gangster and a caring person just trying to help his friends and family make a better life for themselves.
He made some of the rawest, hardest rap songs to come out of the Bay, listen to "Fuck That N***a" and try not to tell me that isn't some of the coldest shit you've ever heard. But on his more introspective songs the lyrics could be painfully honest, dealing with topics such as isolation and paranoia frequently. On "Till The End" from 2009 he raps about how his fellow members of Killa Squad haven't gotten in touch with him since he has gotten out of jail, but he doesn't hold it against them and still loves them.

Keise also displayed some real pop sensibility in his music, crafting catchy hooks for his songs, such as on "Shake Dem Dreads", where his voices bouncing along with the synths coming in for the chorus.


Killa Keise also had impeccable beat selection, choosing some truly left-field beats to balance out his straightforward gangster raps. Check out "Let's Talk About It", which features Killa Keise rapping over a Sade sample long before E-40's son made it cool.
Plus he had a Mario and a Spongebob Squarepants chain, which is pretty dope.

They say in the rap game you're nobody until somebody kills you and Killa Keise always seemed to be flying beneath the radar his whole career. He will probably get the credit he deserves now that he is gone, unfortunately. Truth be told I have been listening to his music more than ever before since his passing, people (including myself) never seem to fully appreciate things until their gone.
He left behind a significant musical legacy that will outlive all of us.

Killa Keise was killed on November 10th, 2011 at the age of 28.

Turfed Out is probably his best solo release and Little Big & Big Mafia with Cellski is a classic, but all of his material is solid. I put together a mixtape of his best work in my opinion. Burn it for your friends and spread it around; don't let this amazing music die with the artist.

Tracklisting:

1.) Killa Keise "Stay Down"

2.) Cam City & Killa Keise "I'm a Gangsta Pt. 2"

3.) Killa Keise ft. Messy Marv "Fuck That N***a"

4.) Killa Keise "Shake Dem Dreads"

5.) Killa Keise "Let's Talk About It"

6.) Cellski & Killa Keise ft. Baldhead Rick "Time To Shine"

7.) Killa Keise "Gun Ride"

8.) Killa Keise "Popsicle"

9.) Killa Squad "Turn Into Sunshine"

10.) Killa Keise ft. C. Dot "So Impatient"

11.) Killa Keise ft. Ya Boy "Bust His Head"

12.) Killa Keise ft. C. Dot "Byrd Shit"

13.) Killa Keise ft. Guce, J. Stalin & Jet Black

14.) Killa Keise "My Block"

15.) Killa Squad "Scrapaz Ridin' High"

16.) Cellski & Killa Keise "Tattoo Tears"

17.) Killa Keise "I'm a Beast"

18.) Killa Keise "Stressed Out"

19.) Killa Keise ft. Da Robba "Doin' Me"

20.) Killa Keise "Gas & Brake"

21.) Killa Keise "Till The End"

22.) Killa Squad "Look At My Rims"

DL: 100GoMW,YLS Mixtape #29: Best of Killa Keise