IF YOU ARE READING THIS, THIS IS FOR YOU… ADAMN KILLA’S LORE TRIBUTE

If you’ve seen that guy on your non-Drain Gang friend’s For You Page, know that something started to shift months ago. The story wrote itself, proving how dedication and authenticity combined with consistent work – with a cherry on top of a lighthearted attitude toward the world – simply pays off.  Not so long ago he was delivering with DoorDash now playing at Summer Smash. 

But how did it all start?

Adamn Killa, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, stepped into the game as a teen and never really left. Adamn initially started making music at the age of 14, joining the group 197 O$G with fellow Chicago rapper LUCKI (Genius). Recognizable with his pink dreads, brow tattoo, and the iconic adlib ‘Adamn!’, he carried a raspy voice echoing early Lil Yachty and the drill look of Chief Keef, yet always carving his own lane and nurturing the underground.

In 2016 his futuristic, genre-bending sound caught the attention of Sweden’s year0001 label. Yung Lean reached out, and suddenly this kid from Chicago was touring Europe on the Warlord Tour, side by side with SoundCloud legends. Featuring on Lean’s Frost God and Bladee’s Rip Bladee EP, while making hot tracks like Ten or never-released Black Car (produced by Woesum).

He followed with Back 2 Ballin (2016) and I Am Adamn (2017), post-trap projects blending melodic cloud sounds, distorted vocals, singing parts and wild yet intentional bars, highlighted by slept-on gems like Turtle Feet, Roof Roof, and the angelic Piss in the Sheets. True to form, he laced them with shots at his haters, a whole range of animal references, always making sure he got your baby momma regardless.

The momentum was real, but the story turns quiet universal. When big money comes, masks drop. Left with unreleased tapes and little recognition, Adamn was dismissed by the industry…a low point that would later set the stage for his comeback.

Always doing his lil thing here and there, never losing good spirit, Adamn never stopped creating and never stopped posting. Even during the so-called silence, he was active, steadily building an impressive portfolio on SoundCloud with a bunch of tracks and remixes. Honestly, only imagination can limit the listener, because he probably already did whatever you thought about. Then the internet circled back.

Check: @adamn killa on SoundCloud

2024, the pink locks era was over, and he came back stronger than ever in a bohemian suede–fringe jacket and cowboy boots, first gathering Chicago’s community and then really… the whole internet. Starting off with his little dances and promoting his new music, Adamn managed to dedicate videos to pretty much everybody at this point. Starting with names beginning with A and ending with the Philippines Baddies… Asian Baddies, sometimes Mixed Baddies too… Nevertheless, a very wholesome thing happened on the internet indeed. With his bubbly and wholesome personality, he managed to bring people together with smiles and good vibes, creating a massive fanbase in just a couple of months and cementing his personal trademark… always assuring that if you’re seeing that damn tik tok… THIS IS FOR YOU! (…nada, 13 with some Prada, I'm hot like a sauna…I say, wassup hellooo…)

Check: @adamnwhodeywant on Tik Tok

Just as Adamn’s manifestations finally worked out, his last album Generational Run surfaced,  bringing a new, uplifting pluggnb sound (produced by Warheart) that perfectly reflects his new era. With viral tracks like Fall On, Emote, and the flagship So Should U, Adamn Killa showed up again. But this time not only as a rapper, but as Adamn Killa himself.

Some people laugh at Adamn Killa, some people laugh with him, but one thing you can’t deny is that his story goes way beyond music. It’s a story of resilience, dedication, and authenticity. Looking at it through the lens of last years’ unexpected projects and unlikely character arcs – think Lil B’s based cult legacy or recent Justin Bieber’s Swag era paired with his unfiltered Instagram presence. In a saturated post-media reality, Adamn’s presence feels refreshing. Many might write it off as another internet-meme-celebrity, but the truth is, in the end, the ones who stay true to themselves seem to walk away with the most… and nobody earned it more than Adamn Killa. Adamn!

Word by @julianeverchange