Review: Chance the Rapper

Rap has always been a very large genre of music. From The Notorious B.I.G and Tupac to Drake and Lil’ Wayne, the rap industry is ever evolving and with the new age, comes new faces. One new face is Chancelor Bennett aka Chance The Rapper. Chance the Rapper is a twenty-three-year-old rapper from Chicago that has never sold an album. Despite never selling an album, Chance has been met with plenty of success. His most recent album, Coloring Book, has taken the world by storm. Not only has he been able to perform at President Obama’s White House Concert, but he has also claimed the title of first exclusively streamed album to make “Billboard’s Top 10 200 Albums” chart. Coloring Book and many singles from the album have even won Chance three Grammys. At first glance, one may not understand how an album that has never sold a copy can be so successful but when you actually listen to it yourself, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

With 14 tracks and many features, it is easily one of the best rap albums to come out in the past five years. One thing that makes Coloring Book different from other albums is the vibe and sound. Coloring Book is reminiscent of the music my Mom would listen to when she was cleaning the house early Sunday morning. With the use of choirs and actual instruments, Chance achieves a gospel like sound that warms your heart. For example, the song “Finish Line/Drown,” which outlines the rocky road of Chance’s life as he made his way back into the church and Christianity. The use of instruments such as the saxophone and trumpet in this energizing work adds to Chance’s unique sound and vibe.

Something else that makes Chance’s album so great are his features. Not only does he feature artist like T-Pain and Kanye West, but also artist like his cousin Nicole and church members. For example, ”How Great” is a song that expresses Chance’s reconnection to Christianity and God, he uses his cousin Nicole to make it more personal and meaningful. All the features feel intentional and add to the album as a whole. Whether they are known or not known at all, you can tell they really believe and get into the song they are in.

Despite including his real life challenges, the songs on the album are uplifting and inspiring. Not only does he tell the hardships of his life but also the accomplishes and how his life has changed for the better, a story that isn’t often told by rappers. In “Finish Line/Drown,” Chance talks about how his addiction to Xanax almost ruined his life but he was able to get through it with God. By including the parts of his life that haven’t been perfect like his relationship and past addictions, Chance is able to connect with people on another level. This album is not just for young people to relate to but is also a great album for people in all different walks of life. While the album is very much about his relationship with God, you don’t have to be religious to feel the emotion and joy in the songs. Whether you’re a kid growing up in the streets or a retiree that is just looking for good music, Coloring Book is for you.