Atlanta’s rap scene irrevocably changed during Young Thug’s peak from 2015 through 2018, introducing an emphasis on unpredictably bouncy melodicism and cleverly weird lyrics that spawned a whole new generation of rappers beamed in from Thug’s home planet. Lil Keed, a benefactor of Thug’s style, has turned that influence into a stirringly strong and independent rap career, not unlike other Thug disciples such as Lil Baby and Gunna. Born Raqhid Jevon Render in 1998, the Atlanta-reared MC signed to Thug’s YSL Records in 2018, and released his seminal Trapped on Cleveland 2 mixtape in July of that year. Keed’s rise is not unlike those of his Atlanta peers, with early years spent trapped in poverty and tragedy. “My life was like a horror story. Coming up, you’d never know who you’d run into. You always had to be aware,” he said to Apple Music, before adding, “Look at me now.” Lil Keed’s debut studio album, Long Live Mexico, was a commercial and critical hit in 2019, with hits like “Oh My God” and “Pull Up” (feat. Lil Uzi Vert and YNW Melly) firmly establishing Keed’s penchant for triplet-style flows and melodically tinged bars. While Trapped on Cleveland 3 (2020) features Young Thug as an executive producer and guest artist, it also showcases Keed at his most dynamic and original. It’s the product of overnight studio sessions and an unrelenting work ethic. The succinct Keed said it best to Apple Music: “I just always stay working...I just wanna take over the streets everywhere.”