From Chicago To Milan: Why Drill Music Hits Different In Italy

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Drill music emerged in 2012 when Chief Keef released the hit song “I Don’t Like.” That track, and the remix featuring Kanye West, pushed drill into the mainstream and put Chicago’s scene on the map. Along with Keef, other artists like Lil Durk, and King Louie started gaining traction with a new sound that felt darker, more stripped down, and more direct than earlier hip-hop styles.

Drill music didn’t stay in Chicago for long. What started on...