Chance the Christian? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Chance the Christian?

He's got angels all around him, they keep him surrounded.

14
Chance the Christian?
Howl and Echoes

The breakdown of Chance the Rapper's faith in his most recent mixtape "Coloring Book" is no surprise to those who have followed Chance's journey since the beginning. The eclectic collection of gospel flavored tunes combined with Chance's creativity have become a reflection of what could be considered "new church" -- the gospel being embraced by a new generation of believers. With the release of the music video for "How Great", the attraction of Chance's fans broadened as a more vulnerable sign of his life has been revealed -- his faith.

I was first introduced to the gospel approach of Chance's art when I heard "Sunday Candy" by Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment which is a project Chance is apart of. The song is a dedication to Chance's roots -- Sunday mornings in the pews of his childhood church. The lyrics embody a contagious gospel sound while still making way for Chance's unmatchable rhymes. "Sunday Candy" was just a slight sneak peek into the future of Chance's fearlessness in speaking of his faith in his mixtape.

The May 12, 2016 release of "Coloring Book" contained mirror displays of Chance's faith in songs like "Blessings", "Angels" and "How Great".

When my ears were first filled with Chance's rendition of "How Great", I was taken back at first. That song was a song I new all too well -- a song that my mom would sing in my childhood church. To hear such an embraced twist on a gospel classic was like hearing the song for the first time. Chance gave his listeners an opportunity to embrace a generational gospel twist on a song that now contains a new meaning compared to hearing it at the church house. The relationship between both the rapper and his maker became evident to listeners alike as we discovered that Chance is fearless in bringing glory to God in an album that isn't the cleanest, but God embraces the dirty, no matter what form it comes in.

Dubbed casually as "My cousin Nicole" on the track list of "Coloring Book", Chance's cousin Nicole Steen enticed listeners with her leading vocals as the Chicago Children's Choir mixed in a bit more of gospel style while paying tribute to Chance's roots. The unique generational sound was furthered by a bit of an electronic twist on the gospel classic. Filmed on an iPhone, the releasing of "How Great" as a music video made way for a unique viewing as the film was specifically designed to be watched on a mobile device so the viewer could follow the rotations of the video.


"Coloring Book" couldn't be more of a reflection of Chance's individualistic personality. It's ability to attract the audience of both those who share the same faith and those who do not make Chance unstoppable. It is time to embrace Chance's unapologetic independency as he makes way for a generation to be fearless in their faith and lionhearted in their art.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

442346
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

15788
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41149
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21013
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321416
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments