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EXCLUSIVE: Chicago Drill Queen Katie Got Bandz Is Ready To Expand Her Queendom

The rise of Chicago’s Drill music scene broke with recent customs in Hip Hop. Unlike movements developing in other regions, Drill was not just a “boys only” club. Chitown ladies took center stage right alongside their male counterparts, and a teenager named Katie Got Bandz established herself as the matriarch of the high-energy, trap-influenced Windy City export.

Katie kept the streets flooded with free projects like Coolin Chicago and Zero To 39th, and she especially established herself as Drill music’s reigning female ruler with the hard-hitting Drillary Clinton and its sequel Drillary Clinton 2.

Just months after dropping Zero To 39th, Katie is getting set to release one final Drillary Clinton mixtape. The upcoming collection comes with the definitive subtitle The Last Of The Drill Queen, a signal the 22-year-old is ready to switch up her style and attract a more global audience.

“I’m trying to grab every market. I’m not completely leaving the drill scene alone, but that’s not gonna be my main focus anymore,” Katie tells AllHipHop.com. “With Drill music, your fan base is mainly Black. I’m trying to grab every market. I want fans from all over the world. I don’t just want the Black community.”

Katie’s proclamation of embracing other musical avenues arrives almost exactly four years after the rapstress began making music. It was two days before her 18th birthday when Katie decided to follow her cousin Block On Da Trakk into the rap game. KGB credits the producer with inspiring her to step behind the microphone.

Block and Katie would go on to craft buzzing tracks such as “I Like” featuring fellow Drill star Lil Durk and the Wale assisted “Weak.” The list of her collaborations also includes cuts with her Chicago-bred female peers Tink, Dreezy, and Sasha Go Hard.

Katie joined Sasha on Dreezy’s “Zero.” The song’s video is currently sitting at over 300,000 views on YouTube. According to Katie, the trio is set to reunite for additional work.

“I still have a relationship with Sasha and Dreezy,” Katie states. “We’re working on a project with me, Sasha Go Hard, and Dreezy.”

The three Midwesterners connected for a new track called “Set It Off.” Katie, Sasha, and Dreezy channeled the “girl power” of Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise from the 1996 crime drama of the same name.

Director F. Gary Gray’s Set It Off took place in 1990’s Los Angeles, but the hardship, desperation, and crime depicted in the film could also be reflective of modern-day Chicago. The city is still dealing with war zone level killings on a daily basis.

Capo, a member of Chief Keef’s Glo Gang crew, was gunned down on a South Side street on July 11. The 22-year-old joined an unfortunate list of local rap stars that have lost their lives to the bloodshed.

Keef, Common, Chance The Rapper, Twista, Jo Jo Capone and other Chicago artists have instituted community efforts to counteract the violence overtaking their hometown. But Katie believes it is time for the performers to take a bigger step and change the content of the music in order to convert “Chiraq” back to Chicago.

“You can’t rap about violence then try to promote stop the violence.” Katie says. “If we switch it up and try and get on some positive stuff or let it die down a little bit, then you will see a big change.”

Chicago rap representatives Lil Durk and Lil Herb have already made it clear they no longer want to reside in the city where they were raised. Katie is interested in saying goodbye to Illinois too. Atlanta is one destination on her radar, but a potential move would not solely be the result of the disorder in the Chi.

“I’m not ready to leave because of the violence. I’m still gonna come home,” explains Katie. “I’m leaving because I feel I can grow bigger in another state. Chicago is a hateful city. Everybody don’t got your back.”

Katie experienced someone stabbing her in the back in front of the entire world. In March, a person she has described as “a goofy ass n*gga” leaked a nude photograph of her online. KGB apologized to her fans for the image making its way to the internet but insists she was not aware the picture was taken.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a “revenge p###” bill into law in December 2014 which makes it a felony to upload sexually explicit videos and photos of another person online without his or her permission.

The new legislation did not go into effect until June 1, 2015, so Katie would not have been able to press charges against the individual that allegedly posted her pic. The only other option would be to pursue a civil lawsuit (à la Lastonia Leviston’s litigation against 50 Cent).

KGB addressed the possibility of suing her tormentor, “I thought about it. But no.”

With that media controversy behind her, Katie Got Bandz is now strictly focusing on progressing in the entertainment business. A new location, a new mixtape, and a new sound are all on the horizon, and the Drill Queen does not intend to halt her drive until she has plaques on her wall like her musical idol.

“I plan on working with Nicki Minaj,” says Katie about her career goals. “Also, I plan on having platinum and gold records. I want to sell out arenas. I plan on traveling the world doing what I do.”

KatieGotBandz
KGB In The Booth

Follow Katie Got Bandz on Twitter @katiegotbandz and Instagram @katiegotbandz039.

AR Muzik ft. Freeway – “Freestyle”

Southern rapper AR Muzic teams up with the legendary Freeway for a freestyle over Drake’s “Energy” beat. AR and Freeway go bar for bar talking about what is real in these streets and what isn’t. A mixture of club footage, studio footage and Miami footage, this quick video show that AR can trade bars with the best of them and that Freeway is going harder than ever.

A.R. FREEWAY WS VIDEO BW from CONCEPTUAL REALITY MEDIA GROUP on Vimeo.

2 Eleven ft. Freddie Gibbs “Who Want It”

In his latest video for his Street Single; “Who Want It” directed by Skeye XB, 2 Eleven get the video feature from fellow lyricist Freddie Gibbs and paints a picture of the life as a ‘Hustle by any means G.’The gritty song shows the consequences of disloyalty all while celebrating wins with his crew. 2 Eleven has a unique ability to paint a vivid story with his words and hard hitting punch lines – def check this one!

Spliff Hamilton – “R.I.C.O.”

Spliff Hamiliton, the 18 year old rap freshman from Colorado drops a 3 song playlist on soundclound. This playlist is dedicated to his fans for showing their support throughout his transition from high school into the music industry…from Colorado to Atlanta!

Once again, Chevi Muzic’s CEO J.Reid produces another classic project that is creative and groundbreaking. The track “Never Gotta Ask” features artist, Crush, a new Chevi Muzic singer who brings strong vocals to the song with an old school vibe.

Jaden Smith – “Scarface”

People have a questions about how Jaden Smith is living life, but it doesn’t seem like he seems to be overly concerned with everyone else’s thoughts on his career, outfit choices and philosophical beliefs.

HEATER OF THE DAY: She Money – “Colombiana” (MIXTAPE)

This much anticipated mixtape “Colombiana” is taking the streets by storm. She Money is the top young female artists in the world, her music is raw and real. Born and raised in the streets of Baton Rouge, She Money holds her own with male and female artists and has been crowned miss Louisiana of the hood.

The Queen of the streets plays no games when it comes to making real street music, her style is aggressive and real life she seen it all on the streets, and she used those same tactics to take over the industry. There is no gimmicks to this boss lady, she writes her own music and her style is authentic, and she is ready to change hip hop. “In order to shine you need to grind”, says She Money.

She is patiently killing the game softly and has paid her dues in this male dominated genre of rappers, with very few female rappers. She is fearless and unstoppable and backed by the King of the South Master P. “Colombiana” is all about family, loyalty and respect. This 19 year old is a grown woman in the game as she is ridding with The Worlds Most Dangerous Record Label NO LIMIT FOREVER RECORDS.

SHE_MONEY_COLOMBIANA_BACKCOVER

2Cool Tone Young – “Everything”

Virginia is a music demographic that seems to be on the rise yet again. Known for its “melting pot” of musicians & genre preferences, you’ll get a taste of the trap scene, the backpack raps, the emcees that love to keep the feeling of vintage Hip-Hop fresh, & more.

Portsmouth, VA artist 2Cool Tone Young hits the scene today to bring you to his side of town & show you “Everything”. Fellow VA comapdres & frontrunners like Young Money Yawn & Young Crazy helped shape this particular sound for the area, & now 2Cool steps up next to tell you his story through his new self-directed visual.

T.H.I.N.K. 2Cool Ent. & #AllOfUs Present’s Everything, the official video. Shoutout to Omito for the production credits. #88TheMixtape will debut August 16th.

Trav Walls – “Not Me”

Trav Walls drops some new heat in the form of “Not Me.” The Superstaar Beats/Eight Hundredz-produced cut is full of charisma and serves as a catalyst to show off Trav’s apparent and innate lyrical abilities. Be on the lookout for his EP that he is dropping soon! And stay connected with Trav Walls by checking out his website for updates.

Grimass ft. August Alsina – “I’m That Boy”

Miami rapper Grimass (Grimass is creole for “Grimace”) kicks the week off with his latest single “I’m That Boy” and manages to get a verse from crooner August Alsina who also handles the hook. This is a solid introduction from the Miami upstart, keep your eyes peeled and your ears ready because Grimass has a lot in store.

ATM Employees Drop $150K On Street And Guy Picks It Up

Was this an inside job?

Watch these guys carrying cash from an ATM leave a bag containing $150,000 at the curb.  They finally notice and come back for the bag, but they weren’t fast enough. A passerby notices and scoops up the bag quick. Police are asking the bag taker to return the bag. I say finders keepers.

T-QRON – “Tha QRONicals”

In February of 2015, T-QRON released his second project, “Tha QRONiCals Mixtape Vol. 2 – Paradise Ugly” co-starring Jik John. With hosting duties handled by Shady Records recording artist, Slaughterhouse’s own Crooked I (Kxng Crooked), this 24 track tape features guest appearances and production from several big names including Kool G Rap, Keith Murray, Daz Dillinger, Havoc(Mobb Deep), Mistah F.A.B., Sha Stimuli, Cambatta, Kosha Dillz, and more. Now as a resident of Las Vegas, NV, T-QRON hopes that “Paradise Ugly” will not only feed the need of all the Hip-Hop loyalists back home in Hawaii that have been by his side since day 1, but that it also enables him to expand his brand and grow as an integral part of 2015’s Top Brass while here on the mainland.

Kevin Gates – “Kno One”

Despite being outspoke on various issues, still Atlantic’s Kevin Gates always draws a following. From the music to his overall realness as an individual Gates “Kno One.” This video is filled with nothing but baddies and high quality footage as Kev gets familiar with a video chick.

Yung Plus Anutha – “Chris Farley”

Born in Germany and now residing in North Carolina, Yung Plus Anutha possesses a knack for witty lyricism that can spark a reaction out of even the most jaded rap fan. Today, he showcases his skill set in the very creative visual for “Chris Farley,” named after the famous comedian who is well known for his stint as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. The track itself is actually inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan, with Yung even harkening back to his days of youth when he thought he was the “10th member”. Check it out and you’ll surely be glad you did.