Where Is Keith Ape? The Controversial Rapper Who Vanished After Declaring He Had ‘Months To Live’
In 2015, Korean rapper Keith Ape released a song titled “It G Ma,” featuring musicians JayAllDay, Loota, Okasian, and Kohh.
The track quickly gained attention not only in Asia but worldwide as YouTube reactors reacted to the song. As of writing, the music video sits at 89 million views, the most-watched video on the Hi-Lite Records YouTube channel by several million.
The track launched the rapper and his feature partners into new realms of success, with musicians Waka Flocka Flame and A$AP Ferg hopping on a remix shortly after. With the push the song’s success gave him, Keith Ape appeared at that year’s South By South West Festival.
Keith Ape’s rise was also controversial, with rapper OG Maco accusing him of copying his song “U Guessed It” and of cultural appropriation. Allegations of Keith Ape being racist, sexist, and more also circulated online, with netizens using his calling a black woman an ape as one source of evidence.
After seemingly settling with OG Maco, who now receives a portion of the royalties from the song, Keith Ape continued making music and later embarked on tours after signing with 88rising.
Fans of the artist were shocked in March 2021 when he shared a post saying that his doctor had given him only months to live.
Good news for my haters. My DOC said I only got 3 to 6month left… Nah mean…?
I’m gonna do the feature without payments if you gave me a little part of the inspiration for my music life or I grew up with someone I lookups DM ME I WANT LEAVE MY NOISES AS MUCH AS I CAN BEFORE I LEAVE THIS PLANET.
— Keith Ape
During the time frame he was given to live, Keith Ape released his first full album MOD: Ape’s Basics in Time and Play, with some believing this would be the last of his music released while he was alive.
However, this turned out not to be the case.
While no more information was given on what his possible condition was, Keith Ape seems to have recovered, releasing another full album, a mini-album, and collaboration album all in 2022.
During his appearance at Head In the Clouds 2023, many expressed concern for the artist as he seemed to have difficulties speaking and appeared to be “not all there.”
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Most recently, the artist released a Christmas album title THE X-MAS IS MINE in December 2023 and shared a surprise single in June 2024. Keith Ape is not active on social media, but seems to occasionally appear on The Cohort’s Instagram page or alongside other artists.
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Another rapper featured on “It G Ma” recently made a comeback, which you can read about below.
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