Chicago rapper Adamn Killa, who has gained popularity for his dances on TikTok, recently performed at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) basketball team’s halftime show. Adamn has become a Chicago icon, traveling the city to make videos with Chicagoans to promote his music. Adamn has a close connection with UIC, previously hosting fan meetups on campus. To promote a local game to his nationwide audience Adamn made a series of promotional videos with the team and administration, and even taught a class on campus leading up to the game.
Who is Adamn Killa?
Adam Kelly, known as Adamn Killa, is a Chicago native who grew up alongside other Chicago rappers such as Chance the Rapper and Lucki. Kelly began making music at 14 alongside Lucki and released his debut mixtape, Back 2 Ballin, in 2016. He began gaining traction when he collaborated with artists from the Swedish rap collectives Sad Boys and Drain Gang. Kelly signed to the same label as the Swedish rap group YEAR0001. Unfortunately, Kelly fell out with the label after shady business practices and the eventual firing of his European manager.
Kelly’s music career took a back seat for a few years, despite being offered to sign with Kanye West, an offer which he turned down. Kelly reignited his music career by promoting his new releases through a series of TikTok videos in which he does different dances in public places, set to his music. Kelly’s efforts paid off, reaching over 200 million total likes on TikTok. This attention brought many new fans, reigniting Kelly’s music career and bringing new opportunities.
TikTok Fame
Kelly has become a Chicago icon as he often travels the city to record his TikToks. He often features fans in his videos and frequently shows up at places to perform free concerts. Kelly has even been featured on local news shows in Chicago as word of him has spread throughout the city. He uses his influence to support his community, as seen when he brought his fans to the struggling River Oaks Mall in Calumet City.
Kelly gained traction for his “arrest me daddy” trend, where he would approach police officers and say “arrest me daddy” before breaking into a dance. These stunts led to Kelly being arrested briefly; however, he believes it was worth it for the opportunities the attention has brought him.
Adamn and UIC
Even before his halftime performance at UIC, Kelly had a connection to the university. Kelly frequently filmed his viral TikToks near the campus, often visiting Gathers Tea Bar, a boba tea shop popular with UIC students. He often features UIC students in his videos, who are always excited to spot him so close to campus. Kelly has also hosted fan meetups at the UIC quad, as part of a tour he did of Chicago schools and universities to connect with his fans.
Kelly recently showed up for his community by performing at the UIC basketball team’s halftime show. He announced that he would be performing via his TikTok, inviting fans to come find him at the game. Leading up to the game, Kelly shot a series of promotional videos with the basketball team and the administration for UIC’s accounts. He also appeared on campus to teach. Kelly taught an international accounting class with Professor Neel Patel on the day of the game, recording TikToks with the students.
Kelly previously toured with longtime friend Chance and will perform at Rolling Loud for the first time this May. Despite having attracted a large audience nationwide and around the world, Kelly still supports his hometown. Kelly promoted the local game on his personal TikTok page, filming videos with the audience and the school mascot to raise awareness of UIC’s basketball team.
Kelly has been a name in underground rap for quite a while and has quickly risen to new heights through social media. His efforts show how the landscape of media and fame is changing rapidly. Despite his accomplishments, Kelly has never forgotten his hometown, where he still lives, and he continues to support his neighbors who make the city great.
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