Young Chop’s Legacy Lives On with King Chop 3

The third chapter in Young Chop’s King Chop series is more than just an album. It stands as a statement built from grief, resilience, and a deep sense of self-reliance.

The Chicago producer-turned-rapper, credited with helping define the drill sound in the early 2010s, approached this record as both a personal challenge and a bold act of defiance. “I did everything myself… I wanted to just prove my point,” he told HipHopDX, making it clear he was determined to have full control over every detail of the project.

The recording process spanned several months and was marked by heavy reflection. Partway through, Chop faced the devastating loss of his mother, a key figure in his career who often acted as his manager. Her death left a deep emptiness but also strengthened his resolve to finish what he had begun. “I took my momma everywhere… she was my manager,” he shared, presenting the album as both a tribute to her and a way to work through his grief.

Although Chop produced half of the tracks himself, he brought in members of his Chop Squad crew, CBMix, Young J, GhostRage, and Chopsquad DJ to complete the rest. The mix of self-production and trusted collaborators gave King Chop 3 an intimate feel while still delivering a wide range of sounds.

One of the project’s most surprising moments comes from the RiFF RAFF-assisted track “Ring Ring Ring.” Chop admitted he didn’t even know the feature was going to be on the album until his engineer slipped it in before mastering, which sparked a last-minute scramble to handle label clearances.

At its heart, King Chop 3 isn’t chasing radio hits; it’s about reclaiming his space as an artist. It’s the work of someone who refuses to be boxed into a single role, using personal loss as fuel for layered production and raw, unfiltered lyricism. For Young Chop, this record is more than music it’s protection, remembrance, and a clear statement of independence.

King Chop 3 - Young Chop