Bang 3

Bang 3 is the second[1] studio album by American rapper Chief Keef. The LP is a double album itself, serving as the third installment of Chief Keef's Bang trilogy. It was leaked online on August 1, 2015. Soon after the album was released officially on iTunes on August 3, 2015, through the label FilmOn Music. The second part of the album was released on September 18, 2015, as well as the double disc being available for purchase in stores. The album features guest appearances from ASAP Rocky, Mac Miller, Lil B and Jenn Em.

Bang 3
Studio album by Chief Keef
Released	August 3, 2015 (Bang 3, Pt. 1) September 18, 2015 (Bang 3, Pt. 2 and Double CD Physical Edition)
Recorded	2013–15 Encore Recording Studios (Burbank, California) Paramount Recording Studios (Hollywood, California) Ameraycan Recording Studios (North Hollywood, California) Costa Mesa Recording Studios (Costa Mesa, California)
Genre	Drill, gangsta rap
Length	92:14
Label	Glo Gang, FilmOn Music, RBC Records, E1 Music
Producer	Alki David (exec.) Chief Keef Ace Bankz ChopSquad DJ DP Beats Slam Wolves The Animaniacs Julian Rivera Zaytoven
Chief Keef chronology
Almighty DP 2 (2015) Bang 3 (2015) Finally Rollin 2 (2015)

Since the album was originally slated for a December 2013 release, it was delayed several times, with numerous release dates falling through or never materializing. After Keef was dropped from Interscope, who owns the album name and its songs, it was unknown whether or not the album would ever be released.

In June 2015, Keef announced that the album would be released July 3, by FilmOnTV and Greek billionaire Alki David. The album was then pushed back to July 14, with "Ain't Missing You," the first post-Interscope single, released on the July 3, instead. However, the album was once again pushed back to August 18, until being released 2 weeks early on August 1. This was followed by Chief Keef announcing the second part of the album being released on August 18, only to be delayed again to September 18, while instead only releasing the single "Bouncin".

Background

Bang 3 was originally planned to be released on December 25, 2013, as a mixtape. However, in February 2014, Chief's manager, Peeda Pan, announced the project would be developed into a full-length album.[2] In late February it was announced Chief Keef was planning to release the EP Bang 4, as a "preview" for Bang 3.[3] However, as Bang 3, kept getting pushed back, so did Bang 4, until November when Chief Keef continued to go through with his plan of releasing the EP.[4]

While Chief was still signed with Interscope Records, the label's executive, Larry Jackson, announced a June 10, 2014 release date.[5] The album was later delayed to a September 30 release, and following another push back after that, Chief was dropped from Interscope Records.[6] This is despite Jackson previously stating that he and the label were behind Keef and Bang 3.[7] An AllHipHop report details Interscope's disinterest in releasing a follow-up album to Finally Rich.[8] An anonymous source for the report details, "Keef’s team tried to have formal meetings but nothing moved."[8] Legal issues that Keef dealt with seemed to cause Interscope to "subtly disassociate" with Keef.[8][9]

Regardless, Chief Keef maintained that he would release the album himself, and after confirming his departure from the label, tweeted "One-hundred percent of everything goes to me now."[10] Additionally, Keef confirmed that he would be planning a Christmas release for the album.[11][12] However, once again, the album's release did not materialize.[13]

Although delayed several times, Chief would release tracks from the album, to allow people to know that the album would still be eventually released.[14] In July 2014, Chief Keef released a tentative track listing, revealing that Lil B will be featuring on the album.[15] A$AP Rocky was also confirmed be featured on the album on the track "Superheroes".[16] Fellow Chicago rapper and previous collaborator, Kanye West, was also set to feature on the track "Nobody",[17][18] until that project developed into its own album.[19] Keef decided to rework the entirety of Bang 3's track list, except for "Superheroes", which appeared on the final album. On July 25, 2015, Chief Keef organized a promotional concert for Bang 3, which also served as a charity concert to help out the victims of a drive-by shooting that left Keef's fellow Glo Gang member, Capo, as well as 13-month year old Dillan Harris dead. Due to outstanding warrants, Keef performed via hologram. However, during the concert, Hammond police shut down the concert.

On August 1, 2015, 2 songs from the album featuring A$AP Rocky and Mac Miller were leaked. Soon after the album was released for free as a mixtape on the website Hot New Hip Hop and other mixtape sites. The next day, the mixtape was removed from Hot New Hip Hop at the request of Alki David, and was made available through FilmOnTV for purchase. The official version was then made available for purchase on iTunes on August 3, 2015. Later that day Keef via social media, Keef told fans Bang 3 was a double disc album. On August 8 an official release date for the second part of Bang 3 was set for August 18 which was the original release date for the album. However, come August 18 the album was delayed to September 18th with a pre-order made available. The album would then be released on September 18 with a physical edition available which included both discs and advertising 3 bonus tracks (T'd, 'Ignorant' and 'Told Ya'). Due to a technical error, the 3 bonus tracks were not featured on the physical edition and as compensation an employee of FilmOn provided those with proof of purchase 2 extra tracks ('Off The Tooka/Tooka' and 'Real Money') as well as the original advertised 3 bonus tracks.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[20]
HipHopDX	3.5/5[21]
Pitchfork	7.1/10[22]

Bang 3 was met with a generally positive reception, critics argued that it's his most polished work since Finally Rich. "The higher, clearer production values are most immediately noticeable—this is the crispest-sounding Keef release since 2012's Finally Rich—and its well-ironed-out song structures." said Pitchfork. HipHopDX argued, "Bang 3 isn’t precisely a return to Finally Rich form as that version of Sosa may be long gone but, it is the closest he’s gotten in his continuing journey of wide-ranging sonic discovery. It isn’t Chief Keef at his best or even his most interesting; it’s Keef at his most pliable." Critics also praised Chief Keef's growth and experimentation with Pitchfork saying, "it's the work of a mature rapper and songwriter, putting the skills he developed over several years spent branching out stylistically to good use". As of January 2017 Bang 3 Sold around 63,000 copies which includes 22,000 copies of streams in the US. HipHopDX weighed in that, "Singing To The Cheese,” eschews normal time in favor of Keef's abstract arrangements without unraveling; moving forward while also moving sideways. It's a reminder of everything Chief Keef has been and everything he can be." Tiny Mix Tapes also added, "Getting dropped from Interscope might be the best thing that ever happened to Chief Keef, or at least the best thing for his music (his recent partnership with FilmOn remains a mysterious business move that hasn't seemed to confine him creatively whatsoever). It’s hard to imagine a major-Keef getting away with the chorus on the massive, self-produced opener “Pee Pee’d”.

Singles

On July 3, 2015, "Ain't Missing You", a tribute to Keef's late cousin and fellow Glo Gang member, Big Glo was released. The song featured Jenn Em and the video was released by FilmOnTV.

Track listing

Part 1

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Laurel Canyon"	Keith Cozart Darrel Jackson	ChopSquad DJ	3:34
2.	"Cappin"	Cozart Xavier Dotson	Zaytoven	3:16
3.	"Unstoppable"	Cozart Jackson	Chopsquad DJ	3:25
4.	"Superheroes" (featuring A$AP Rocky)	Cozart Rakim Mayers Decanter Alexandre	Slam	4:02
5.	"Singing To The Cheese"	Cozart	GGP	3:07
6.	"Pick One"	Cozart Don Paschall	DP Beats	3:14
7.	"New School"	Cozart Dotson	Zaytoven	3:28
8.	"Facts"	Cozart	GGP	3:47
9.	"I Just Wanna" (featuring Mac Miller)	Cozart Jackson Malcolm McCormick	Chief Keef Chopsquad DJ	5:18
10.	"Yes"	Cozart Jackson	Chopsquad DJ	3:29
11.	"Ain't Missing You" (featuring Jenn Em)	Cozart Alki David Brandon Howard	Alki David B Howard	3:19
12.	"Million$"	Cozart Dotson	Zaytoven	3:03
13.	"Go Harder"	Cozart	GGP	2:57
14.	"Green Light"	Cozart	GGP	3:08
Total length:				49:21

Part 2

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Pee Pee'd"	Cozart	GGP	3:38
2.	"Wit It"	Cozart Jackson	Chopsquad DJ	4:32
3.	"Bouncin"	Cozart Paschall	DP Beats	3:15
4.	"Charge My Car"	Cozart Dotson	Zaytoven	3:16
5.	"Get That Sack"	Cozart	GGP	3:30
6.	"Irri" (featuring Lil B)	Cozart Brandon Christopher McCartney Willie Jerome Byrd	Will-A-Fool	3:19
7.	"Racist"	Cozart Dotson	Zaytoven	4:17
8.	"Gloin"		GGP	3:11
9.	"That Night"	Cozart	GGP	2:48
10.	"It's More"	Cozart Ace Bankz	Ace Bankz	3:33
11.	"OG Fiji"	Cozart Dotson	Zaytoven	4:11
12.	"Tree Tree"	Cozart	GGP	3:23
Total length:				42:53

FilmOn "Proof Of Purchase" Bonus Tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"T'd"	Cozart Paschall	DP Beats & Chief Keef	3:14
2.	"Ignorant"	Cozart	Wolves	6:26
3.	"Told Ya"	Cozart	Chief Keef	2:53
4.	"Off The Tooka" (featuring Tadoe)	Cozart Darron Rose	BillsProductions	2:12
5.	"Real Money"	Cozart	Chief Keef	3:14
Total length:				17:59

Personnel

Credits for Bang 3 adapted from liner notes in CD case

• Alki David — Executive Producer
• Zaytoven — Producer
• ChopSquad DJ — Producer
• Brandon Howard — Producer
• Slam — Producer
• DP Beats — Producer
• Wolves — Producer
• Will-A-Fool — Producer
• Ace Bankz — Producer
• BillsProductions — Producer
• ASAP Rocky — Featured Artist
• Mac Miller — Featured Artist
• Jenn Em — Featured Artist
• Lil B — Featured Artist
• Tadoe — Featured Artist
• Chris Cheney - Mix Engineer / Engineer
• Nick Fainbarg - Mix Engineer / Engineer
• Brandon Balsz — Mix Engineer/Engineer
• Josh Berg — Mix Engineer
• Slavic Livins - Mix Engineer
• Adam Catania — Engineer
• Frank Ramirez — Engineer
• Andy Rodriguez — Assistant Engineer
• Encore — Recording Studio
• Paramount — Recording Studio
• Ameraycan — Recording Studio
• Costa Mesa Recording Studios - Recording Studio
• Grant Zimmerman — Project Coordinator/A&R
• Lamero Ragsdale — Art Cover/Art Direction
• Chaz L. Morgan — Art Cover/Art Direction
• Frank Torres — Art Cover/Art Direction
• Rovaun Pierre "Uncle Ro" Manuel — Management
• Idris "Peeda Pan" Wahid — Management

Charts

Part 1

Chart (2015)	Peak Position
US Billboard 200	131
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)	13
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)	9

Part 2

Chart (2015)	Peak Position
US Billboard 200	104
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)	18
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)	14

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, editions and reference

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Edition(s)	Ref.
United States	August 3, 2015	Digital download	Filmon Music RBC Records	Standard
United States	September 18, 2015	Digital download CD	Filmon Music RBC Records	Standard

References

1. "Chief Keef: Nobody Album Review - Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
2. Fleischer, Adam (March 31, 2014). "Chief Keef's Bang 3 Gets A Release Date… Now Stop Asking". MTV. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
3. Kramer, Kyle (February 27, 2014). "Chief Keef Is Releasing "Bang 4" as A Preview to "Bang 3" Because He's Living In The Future". Complex. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
4. Keef, Chief (November 4, 2014). "Finna drop some off B4 The Ep B4 B3". Twitter. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
5. Lilah, Rose (March 31, 2014). "Chief Keef Announces "Bang 3" Release Date [Update: New Date Announced]". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
6. DeGroot, Joey (October 21, 2014). "Chief Keef Dropped from Interscope Records, Plans to Release Album on His Own". Music Times. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
7. Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (February 14, 2014). "Chief Keef Talks Rehab, 'Bang 3' Album & Learning How to Surf". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
8. Williams, Houston (October 21, 2014). "Exclusive: Chief Keef Dropped By Interscope Records". AllHipHop. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
9. Ramirez, Erika (October 22, 2014). "Chief Keef Confirms Being Dropped From Interscope Records on Twitter". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
10. Kennedy, John (October 23, 2014). "Is This the End for Chief Keef?". Ebony. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
11. Keef, Chief (October 21, 2014). "Fuck that Everything that was Supposed to drop Still dropping 10days left for #BFTD2and Christmas #B3 SituationGang!". Twitter. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
12. Carter, Caitlin (October 31, 2014). "Stream Chief Keef's 'Back From The Dead 2' Mixtape [TRACKLIST]". Music Times. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
13. DeGroot, Joey (December 26, 2014). "Chief Keef, Fredo Santana Drop New Track 'Bodies on the Ground' [LISTEN]". Music Times. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
14. DeGroot, Joey (October 2, 2014). "Chief Keef Shares New Song "Dear" From Upcoming Album 'Bang 3' [LISTEN]". Music Times. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
15. Goddard, Kevin (July 28, 2014). "Chief Keef Reveals Tentative Tracklist For "Bang 3"". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
16. Goddard, Kevin (August 5, 2014). "BTS Photos: Chief Keef & A$AP Rocky's Upcoming "Superheroes" Video". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
17. Minsker, Evan (August 17, 2014). "Chief Keef Teases Collaborative Track With Kanye West, "Nobody"". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
18. Ramirez, Erika (September 2, 2014). "Chief Keef Reveals Artwork for Kanye West Collabo 'Nobody'". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
19. Carter, Caitlin (December 15, 2014). "Chief Keef, Kanye West Collaboration "Nobody" Has Leaked Ahead Of Album Release". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
20. Jeffries, David. "Bang 3, Pts. 1–2 – Chief Keef". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
21. Pearce, Sheldon (August 7, 2015). "Chief Keef: Bang 3". HipHopDX. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
22. Cook-Wilson, Winston (August 13, 2015). "Chief Keef: Bang 3". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 25, 2015.