chief keef evicted

A concert starring controversial rapper Chief Keef scheduled to take place this weekend in Cicero has been canceled amid security concerns, police said.

The concert was still being advertised on the website for the Olympic Theater Wednesday but ticket sales were halted.

The manager of the venue confirmed that the concert had been canceled but said it was because the promoter decided to no longer use the theater.

Cicero Police Supt. Bernard Harrison said the Saturday night concert at the theater has been canceled because authorities fear Chief Keef’s presence could cause chaos and violence.

“We have indications from intelligence sources that there were going to be problems and there have been many problems at his concerts in other places,” Harrison said this morning. “I spoke to the director of the theater myself and asked if he could cancel the concert. He complied with my request.”

Wednesday evening, officials in Harvey announced the city had quashed apparent attempts to move the concert to the King of Diamonds nightclub.

In recent days, there have been a flurry of rumors on social media that the rapper or his entourage may be the target of violence.

Harrison said he planned to secure a written letter from the owner ensuring the concert would not take place in the western suburb.

“It is our belief that the concert has been canceled,” he said. Still, “for that night we are preparing extra security. We have to err on the side of caution. We are providing extra officers to work the street and be in the area of the theater.”

Enrique Medrano, a manager at The Olympic Theater said the concert was canceled last week after the artist’s promoters changed their minds about using the venue.

“I have no idea what led to the change, they decided not to go with our space,” he said. “I just refunded the money for the concert.”

Chief Keef’s management team supervised the ticket sales themselves, Medrano said. So they are in touch with fans who may have planned to attend.

The security concern is the latest trouble for the South Side artist, whose real name is Keith Cozart.

Keef’s cousin, Chicago rapper Big Glo, was gunned down near where he grew up in Englewood in April. Police say possibly two gunmen fired more than two dozen shots, striking Mario Hess as many as 10 times and wounding a relative.

Hess, once known as Blood Money, was Keef’s second cousin. He had recently been paid $50,000 to sign with a major record label, according to his manager.

On March 26, it was reported that Cozart was at the home of his manager in Northfield when a 33-year-old man was shot there and seriously wounded. Cozart was in the car with the man as he was driven to the hospital, police said.

On Tuesday, Cozart was evicted from his rented Highland Park mansion. The owner of the house said Cozart, 18, had been a good tenant and his departure was voluntary, but records and police confirmed it was an eviction. Cozart was about $30,000 behind in rent payments.

Source: Chicago Tribune

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