Chicago drill has always been a bit of a localized beast, but every few years, an artist comes along and just rips the doors off the hinges. That was Lud Foe. If you were plugged into the scene around 2016, you remember the absolute chokehold this man had on the streets. No hooks. No choruses. Just straight, relentless bars delivered with enough energy to power a small city.
People always ask what happened to him, but honestly? His music hasn't aged a day. Even in 2026, those tracks still carry a weight that most modern drill rappers can’t replicate. He didn't need the industry machine; he had Kid Wond3r on the beats and a flow that felt like a runaway freight train.
Let's talk about the hits that actually moved the needle.
The Tracks That Defined an Era: Lud Foe Most Popular Songs
When you look at Lud Foe most popular songs, you’re really looking at a blueprint for a specific kind of aggressive, high-octane Chicago rap. It wasn't about the radio. It was about what was blasting out of car speakers in the West Side.
Cuttin Up
This is the one. "Cuttin Up" wasn't just a song; it was a cultural shift. Originally dropped in late 2015/early 2016, it became a massive breakthrough because it was so unapologetically raw. It caught the ear of Lil Durk, who jumped on the remix and essentially gave Lud Foe the ultimate Chicago co-sign. When OVO Sound Radio played the remix (Episode 26, for the trivia buffs), the world finally caught on to what the West Side already knew.
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It currently sits with tens of millions of views on YouTube and remains his most recognizable anthem. If you walk into a gym or a party and this beat drops, the energy changes instantly.
In and Out
If "Cuttin Up" was the introduction, "In and Out" was the confirmation. This track is basically a masterclass in breath control. He just doesn't stop. Most rappers need a hook to give the listener a break, but Foe just keeps punching. On Spotify alone, this track has racked up over 40 million streams. It’s one of those songs that proves you don’t need a catchy melody if your rhythm is perfect.
Ambition of a Rider
A lot of people think this is his best work, and it’s hard to argue. Sampling (or rather, paying homage to) the Tupac energy, this track showed a slightly more melodic but still menacing side of Foe. It’s got over 51 million plays on YouTube Music and continues to be a staple in drill playlists. It feels bigger than a "drill song"—it feels like a cinematic moment.
Why "No Hooks" Wasn't Just a Title
The name of his debut mixtape, No Hooks, was a literal description of his style. He was bucking the trend of the "hook-heavy" melodic rap that was starting to take over the charts.
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- Recuperate: Written and released while he was literally in a hospital bed recovering from a near-fatal car accident. You can hear the grit in his voice. It's got 31 million plays and serves as a testament to his resilience.
- Suicide: A darker, more ominous track that showed his range within the drill subgenre.
- What's the Issue: Another WorldStarHipHop classic with 20 million views that proved his consistency.
He had this way of making every bar feel like the most important thing he’d ever said. You couldn't just have his music on in the background; you had to listen.
The Impact of Kid Wond3r Beats
You can't talk about Lud Foe’s success without mentioning producer Kid Wond3r. They met at a tattoo shop—which is about the most "Chicago" way to start a musical partnership—and the chemistry was instant. Wond3r’s production style was "dreamy and druggy" but with percussion that would blow your speakers out. It was the perfect canvas for Foe's high-pitched, aggressive delivery.
Collaborations and Later Projects
While he mostly stayed in his own lane, his 2020 project Guns Up Funds Up saw him branching out. We got tracks with Lil Uzi Vert (Show U Off) and Lil Durk (Composure). "Show U Off" currently has over 25 million streams on Spotify, showing that even when he teamed up with "industry" giants, he didn't lose that West Side edge.
Is Lud Foe Still Active?
The mystery of Lud Foe is part of his legend. He’s gone through periods of silence that leave fans wondering if he’s retired or just laying low. In 2025 and early 2026, we've seen some movement—snippets like "Givenchy" and features on Stewie tracks like "Jungle" and "3rd 3ye."
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He’s the kind of artist who doesn't need to post on Instagram every day to stay relevant. The music speaks for itself. He built a foundation so solid that his "old" songs are still pulling in thousands of daily streams years later.
How to Deep Dive Into the Discography
If you're looking to really understand the hype, don't just stick to the singles. Go back to the tapes.
- No Hooks (2016): The starting point. This is the raw, uncut Lud Foe.
- Get Well Foe (2017): The "comeback" tape after his accident.
- No Hooks II (2017): More polished, but still incredibly aggressive.
- Boochie Gang (2018): Named after his neighborhood set, this one is for the core fans.
- Guns Up Funds Up (2020): The most "commercial" he ever got, featuring big-name guests.
The reality is that Lud Foe changed the trajectory of Chicago rap. He proved that you could win without a radio-friendly hook or a major label budget. You just needed a beat, a microphone, and something to say.
To get the full experience, start by listening to the "No Hooks" mixtape from start to finish. It provides the necessary context for how his sound evolved from raw street rap to the more polished, yet still heavy-hitting style found on his 2020 releases. Compare his solo work to his collaborations with Lil Durk to see how he maintained his identity while working with major industry players.