Belated Hot Take: Chance The Rapper is Good

You’ve probably never heard of him. He’s a young, inventive, joyful rapper named Chance. As a rap fanatic and woke white person, I consider myself an expert on the genre, and recently, this dude is someone I can’t stop listening to. Every track on his new album, Coloring Book, slaps. I don’t think he has any previous albums, or at least none that I can find on Apple Music, but I’m expecting really big things from this guy. He’s definitely new to the hip-hop scene, and I know this because I just heard his music on the radio for the first time yesterday. He’s from Chicago (aye!! Go U NU!) and from his Wikipedia page I’ve gathered that Chance the Rapper is passionate about the south side. Even though I would never go there, I think it’s amazing that he is all about his hometown.

Chance the Rapper’s lyrics, unlike other, more cynical rappers (*cough cough* Kendrick Lamar’s most recent album To Pimp A Butterfly) aren’t a critique of America. Rather, they are a celebration. In “Angels,” Chance the Rapper says, “There’s too many young angels on the South Side.” He praises the people of the south side in this song, calling them “angelic.”  This hot new album doesn’t have music that makes a critical statement, and that’s what I love about it. With its post-election release, I love that this album stays far away from the political sphere. It goes to show that Chance the Rapper is about bringing people together, not making divisive music. The album is also full of real music alongside the rap, including gospel-inspired brass, and a cameo by the Chicago Children’s Chorus.

I hope that everyone goes out and listens to Coloring Book after reading this review. It surpasses the quality of any other rap music I have ever heard, from Eminem to Tyga, and that is saying something, considering that 8 Mile is my favorite movie. Chance the Rapper deserves recognition for the work of art he has produced, and I’m shocked--or as Chance would say, shook--by the current lack of hype around this album. This is one up-and-coming rapper that you don’t want to miss.