Fredo Santana was born Derrick Antonio Coleman on the South Side of Chicago.1 He helped shape drill in the early 2010s and he did it with a raw voice and clear vision. He stood beside his cousin Chief Keef and later built Savage Squad Records to push independence. His life had success and also struggle. His legacy still moves fans and artists in 2025 and the music keeps his name alive.
What was Fredo Santana’s real name, age, height, and cause of death?
| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Derrick Antonio Coleman |
| Stage Name | Fredo Santana |
| Nickname | Fredo |
| Profession | Rapper, Songwriter, Record Executive |
| Date of Birth | July 4, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Date of Death | January 19, 2018 |
| Place of Death | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Age at Death | 27 years old |
| Cause of Death | Seizure due to cardiovascular disease and organ failure |
| Physical Stats | |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 70 kg (approx) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Career | |
| Associated Acts | Chief Keef, Lil Reese, Lil Durk, GBE, 808 Mafia, Kendrick Lamar |
| Genres | Hip hop, Drill, Trap |
| Years Active | 2011–2018 |
| Labels | Savage Squad Records, Glory Boyz Entertainment (GBE) |
| Notable Works | Trappin’ Ain’t Dead (2013), Fredo Kruger (2013), Walking Legend (2014), Plugged In (2017) |
| Earnings & Assets | |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | Approx. $1 million at time of death |
| Personal Life | |
| Family | Cousin: Chief Keef (Keith Cozart), Child: Santana (son) |
Who was Fredo Santana (Chief Keef’s cousin) and what are his top songs?
Fredo Santana was born on July 4th 1990 in Chicago. He died on January 19th 2018 in Los Angeles at the age of twenty seven.2 He was the older cousin of Chief Keef and he often worked with him on various songs and videos.3 His sound came from drill and trap with a clear Chicago flavor. He became known for the album “Trappin’ Ain’t Dead” and tapes like “Fredo Kruger” and “Walking Legend”.4 His single Jealous featured Kendrick Lamar and it remains a key track for new listeners.
How did the South Side and Chief Keef lead to Fredo Santana’s Drake cameo?
Fredo grew up on the South Side and he reflected that reality in every verse. The drill scene rose fast in that era and he stood at the center with family and friends. His link to Chief Keef shaped his path and also pushed the wider movement. Many first noticed him through Keef’s rise and the energy of GBE.5
A wider audience also saw Fredo’s face in 2013 when Drake released the video for “Hold On We’re Going Home”. The short film cast Fredo as a rival figure and it marked a moment when Chicago drill faces entered global pop culture.6
What is Fredo Santana Career timeline 2012 to 2018?
- 2012: It’s a Scary Site (mixtape) – First tape that set his tone and built a core fan base.7
- 2013: Fredo Kruger (mixtape) – A darker tape with heavy 808s and standout features.8
- 2013: Cameo in Drake video – The short film look raised his profile beyond drill fans.9
- 2013: Trappin’ Ain’t Dead (album) – Released on Savage Squad Records and driven by Jealous featuring Kendrick Lamar.10
- 2014: Walking Legend (mixtape) – A full project with production from names like Young Chop and Metro Boomin.11
- 2016: Fredo Mafia – A joint spirit with 808 Mafia and a sharpened flow.12
- 2017: Plugged In – Final tape with songs that still get discovery plays today.13
- 2017: Health struggles go public – He shared a hospital clip and spoke on kidney and liver failure.14
- 2018: Passing at age twenty seven – News outlets reported a fatal seizure at his home in Los Angeles.15
Which Fredo Santana songs still stream today?
- Go Live featuring Chief Keef, Ballout and Tadoe. A posse cut with a relentless hook and Southside production.16
- Jealous featuring Kendrick Lamar. A gritty cut from “Trappin’ Ain’t Dead” that shows both artists in peak form.17
- Trap House from Trappin’ Ain’t Dead. A pure statement of style with heavy drums and a focused flow.18
- Bird Talk is an early fan favorite that still circulates on platforms and archives.19
These tracks keep new listeners arriving every month and they anchor most modern playlists that feature early Chicago drill.20 A quick search on major services shows steady saves and plays for these songs.
How did Fredo Santana and Chief Keef drive GBE and take drill global?
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Fredo and Chief Keef were family first and collaborators later. Their bond ran through the core of the GBE wave that took drill from neighborhood legend to global topic. Many heard Fredo’s name through the famous line on “I Don’t Like” where Keef rapped Fredo in the cut that is a scary sight.21
They worked together across years and they also aimed at a joint album at one point. The plan did not reach release yet the idea shows how closely the two moved. Their runs in videos shows this too from early local visuals to national features and even Drake’s short film.22
GBE helped launch several names and its momentum pushed the whole scene.23 Fredo stood as a face and a voice in that circle and he carried the Chicago sound into new rooms with stubborn pride.
What are Fredo Santana’s top albums and mixtapes?
| Title / Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Trappin’ Ain’t Dead (2013) | Debut studio album that cemented Fredo’s gritty Chicago drill sound. |
| Fredo Kruger (2013) | Breakthrough mixtape with features from Future, Soulja Boy, and Migos; drill cult classic. |
| It’s A Scary Site (2012) | First official mixtape that introduced his raw style alongside Chief Keef. |
| Walking Legend (2014) | Mixtape with guest appearances from Lil Durk and G Herbo; solidified independence. |
| Ain’t No Money Like Trap Money (2015) | Project that highlighted his trap influences while staying true to drill roots. |
| Fredo Mafia (2016) | Collaboration tape with Chief Keef; marked their cousin bond and drill dominance. |
| Plugged In (2017) | Released via Savage Squad, kept his street-driven storytelling alive. |
| Mandatory Check (2016) | Focused project showing growth; features from Chief Keef, Lil Yachty, and others. |
| Blood Thicker Than Water (2017) | Posthumous project with features, celebrating his legacy in Chicago drill. |
How did Savage Squad Records show Fredo Santana independence and support new Chicago drill artists?
Fredo formed Savage Squad Records to keep control and to showcase his circle. The label gave him room to drop music fast and to support friends and younger artists.24 That mindset fits drill because agility matters more than big budgets. The label’s digital pages list artists who worked with the team and who kept the SSR tag in their profiles and uploads.
Coverage from local media also framed Savage Squad as his own push for independence.25 That spirit shaped the next wave of Chicago artists who saw a path outside major label pressure.
What were Fredo Santana health struggles and what is the confirmed cause of death?
I’m getting help I might just go to rehab
— FREDO SANTANA SSR (@FREDOSANTANA300) October 14, 2017
Fredo spoke openly about trauma and about the way he used pills to cope. In October 2017, he posted from a hospital bed and said he had kidney failure and liver failure.26 Fans and artists urged him to rest and to seek help.
He died on January 19th 2018 in Los Angeles after a seizure at home. News spread across major outlets and tributes followed from across hip hop.27
Months later a report came that the cause of death included a seizure and also cardiovascular disease.28 That finding came after the autopsy and added context to the earlier reports on organ issues.
His death still stands as a warning in hip hop. Many artists have since spoken about the risks tied to heavy drug use and self medication. That conversation grew louder after his death and it influenced how many approach health now.29
How did Fredo Santana shape drill and prove independence with Trappin Aint Dead and the Drake short film?
Fredo helped define the darker side of drill storytelling. His voice was steady and his writing was direct. He did not chase mainstream formulas and he let the beats and the stories carry the mood. That tone influenced young Chicago artists who built on his format. You can hear echoes of his music in work by G Herbo and Lil Durk and others who came up after the first drill boom.30
Trappin’ Ain’t Dead was released on his own label. It had many guest features, but the focus stayed on his story.31 The album appeared on genre charts and showed that an independent push could still make a big impact.
Across the catalog you hear loyalty to producers like Young Chop and links to 808 Mafia and others.32 That network helped define the texture of drill and trap in that decade.
His cameo in Drake’s short film pushed drill beyond its base. Millions watched and many discovered Chicago’s voice through him for the first time.6
How do tributes from Chief Keef and G Herbo and steady fan streams keep Fredo Santana legacy alive today?
Other Artists paid respect after he passed and they still do so on his birthdays and anniversaries. Chief Keef posted messages that stressed the bond as family and not just friends. Those posts echoed across social feeds and press reports.33
G Herbo has also shared words that link Fredo’s story to wider talk on PTSD and on the mental load many carry.34 That shows how the legacy lives in honest dialogue and not only in playlists.
Fans keep discovering his music today through major platforms and through archives. New posts on social pages often pull classic clips and highlight favorite songs.35
The major talk on drill and its role in youth culture and public debate also keeps his name in view. News features on drill often reference early Chicago figures and that history includes Fredo.36
FAQs About Fredo Santana
What was Fredo Santana’s best song?
Many point to “Jealous” featuring Kendrick Lamar and also to “Go Live” with Chief Keef Ballout and Tadoe. These songs show his energy and reach and they stay popular with new listeners.37
Did Fredo Santana have kids?
He had a son named Legend who was born in 2017 and he shared posts about becoming a father.38
What was Fredo Santana’s net worth?
Public sources over the years have speculated figures ranging from $500,000 to $2 million depending on streaming, touring, merchandise and publishing. There are no verified financial disclosures or audit documents confirming any exact number. Much of his income likely came from music sales, live performances, merch and label deals. Because of the lack of solid public records it’s best to treat any number as an estimate rather than a confirmed fact.
How did Fredo Santana die?
He died after a seizure at home. A later report noted cardiovascular disease along with his prior health issues.39
What label did Fredo Santana start?
He started Savage Squad Records and used it to release music and to back artists he believed in.40
Why is Fredo Santana important in drill music?
He brought an honest tone to early Chicago drill and he pushed a model of independence. He worked with giants and still held control of his path. His work echoes in the next generation.41
Kanika Dhingra is a pop culture writer with 5+ years of experience decoding celebrity fame. From hip-hop trailblazers to viral chart-toppers, she delivers smart, stylish profiles that resonate with fans and critics alike.
📌 Show Footnotes
- Source: AllMusic artist page[↩]
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times report[↩]
- Source: Los Angeles Times obituary[↩]
- Source: Apple Music album page[↩]
- Source: The TRiiBE reflection[↩]
- Source: Pitchfork video write-up[↩][↩]
- Source: Fredo Santana overview[↩]
- Source: Discogs master page[↩]
- Source: Rap Radar post[↩]
- Source: Album background[↩]
- Source: Fake Shore Drive post[↩]
- Source: Spotify album page[↩]
- Source: Apple Music listing[↩]
- Source: XXL report[↩]
- Source: Pitchfork news[↩]
- Source: XXL track post[↩]
- Source: Spotify track[↩]
- Source: Spotify track listing[↩]
- Source: SoundCloud upload[↩]
- Source: Spotify Go Live page[↩]
- Source: Lyrics video reference[↩]
- Source: XXL video note[↩]
- Source: Chief Keef background with GBE[↩]
- Source: Savage Squad Records SoundCloud[↩]
- Source: ChiraqDrill overview[↩]
- Source: Instagram hospital clip[↩]
- Source: The Independent report[↩]
- Source: The FADER on cause of death[↩]
- Source: DJBooth reflection on health post[↩]
- Source: Tribute round-up with peer reactions[↩]
- Source: iTunes charts archive[↩]
- Source: TM88 credits that touch his projects[↩]
- Source: HipHopLately recap[↩]
- Source: HNNH on G Herbo tribute[↩]
- Source: Last.fm album page[↩]
- Source: ABC News drill explainer[↩]
- Source: Last.fm single page[↩]
- Source: REVOLT news note[↩]
- Source: The FADER summary of findings[↩]
- Source: Savage Squad Records hub[↩]
- Source: Village Voice profile[↩]
