How Chance The Rapper Changed The Game For Good | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

How Chance The Rapper Changed The Game For Good

How he turned a high school suspension into a successful career.

138
How Chance The Rapper Changed The Game For Good
Baeble Music

Chance the Rapper is a 23 year-old rapper who has shattered musical expectations. His first mixtape, 10 Day, was released in 2012, so he isn’t super new to the music scene. I remember listening to some of his early tracks in high school. He seemed like a cool, relatable high school kid. He actually used his ten-day suspension from school to record this mixtape. Fast-forward five years and now I’m watching Chance accept three Grammy awards. Last Sunday at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony he won for best new artist, best rap album and best rap performance for ‘No Problem’. So how did Chance the Rapper go from a suspended high school kid to an elite artist? By changing the hip hop game in a totally untraditional way.

His sound

Chance the rapper employs vibrant rhymes, witty lyrics and jazzy beats to captivate his audience. He uses full choirs and other unique instruments like the trumpet and horn in his music. Chance is also known to make some unusual noises and yelps in his songs. Check all of them out here.


His loyalty to his hometown

Chance grew up in Chicago and gives back as much as he can to his city. He is known for #SaveChicago which is aimed at combating the city’s increasing violence. He organized events such as leadership classes, community sports and positive loitering as part of the #SaveChicago campaign. He puts on events like Magnificent Coloring Day and hosts open mic nights at Chicago high schools. Also, over a year ago Chance announced Warmest Winter, a charity initiative that provides coats to the city’s homeless population. The campaign raised more than its fundraising target of $100,000.


He cares about his friends' success

In 2014 the album Surf was released, except it wasn’t a Chance the Rapper album. The Social Experiment is a band consisting of Chance the Rapper, Donnie Trumpet, Peter Cottontale, Greg Landfair Jr. and Nate Fox. Chance buried himself in the group, not trying to stand out because he genuinely just wanted to collaborate with his friends.

He's not traditional

One of the most unique things about Chance is that he doesn’t sell his music. There are no physical album sales. He never wanted to put a limit on his music or hinder the connection between his audiences. He streams his music, and was the one of the first to take advantage of SoundCloud. He even gave them a shoutout in his Grammy acceptance speech. This means he makes money solely from touring and selling merchandise. I think this is why many fans are able to truly connect to his music because you know he’s not trying to profit from your listening.


Unsigned to any record label

Despite all of this, Chance remains an unsigned artist. He reportedly planned on signing with a label after his second mixtape was released, but after meeting with three major labels he realized that his greatest strength was his ability to offer music to people without any limit on it. So what you’re hearing is 100% pure Chance the Rapper.


His relationship with God and views on faith

Chance is extremely open about his faith in his music. With gospel-rap songs like “How Great” he wants to put God back in our hands in everyday life. I think that his purity in expressing his trust in a higher power is refreshing and authentic.

Because of all of this uniqueness and authenticity, Chance the Rapper has generated a loyal fan base and some really positive buzz. Game changed.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190306
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14960
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

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

457912
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.

26661
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

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments