Rooftop Reverend Says He Will Baptize Chief Keef

By Chris Bentley in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 17, 2013 5:00PM

Given Chief Keef’s recent trouble with the Chicago Police Department and a lawsuit seeking child support, he could probably use a fresh start.

Still, few of the teenage rapper’s fans expected a baptism would follow his 60 days in juvenile detention.

But that is exactly what the Rev. Corey Brooks — the “rooftop pastor” who camped out atop a South Side motel for nearly three months — said Keef, whose real name is Keith Cozart, intended to do upon his release:

Excited to announce that I will be baptizing @chiefkeef @nbcofchicago when he is released. Praise The Lord!! #projecthood #Sosa #300

— Corey Brooks (@CoreyBBrooks) February 15, 2013

The Sun-Times reported Brooks claimed to have visited Keef at the state juvenile detention facility in west suburban St. Charles:

“I think people forget he is 17 years old,” Brooks said. “He is not a bad kid.”

Brooks said the young entertainer “has had a chance to think. He is an entertainer, that is how he sees himself. But at the same time, he has a God-consciousness. He is not some terror who is wreaking havoc.”

Brooks’ non-denominational New Beginnings Church in Woodlawn would perform the ceremony, the pastor said.