Chance The Rapper is one of today’s most innovative young artists who is steadily using his musical gifts and broad platform to further conversations about the issues that matter most to our communities.
From speaking on the lack of concern for the safety, education and preservation of our young people, to referencing iconic figures and moments in Black culture, Chance never misses an opportunity to use his songs as a sounding board for spreading awareness. In honor of his 24th birthday, here’s a look at 16 of his lyrics that’ll have you revamping your playlist in no time. And who knows, maybe we’ll even get to hear some of these when Chance hits the stage at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans this July 🙂
01
Chance The Rapper and Daughter Kensli
“The people’s champ must be everything the people can’t be.”
@chancetherapper/instagram
02
Chance the Rapper
“I’m a free agent, go and do the math. Underdog of underground, Tubman with the path. They ask about the help and all I do is laugh. I say God my only boss, even Moses had a staff.”
Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
03
Chance the Rapper
“Found warmth in a Black queen for when I get cold (Cole) like Nat King. I’m doing the dad thing.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
04
Chance the Rapper
“I got the Chicago blues. We invented rock before The ‘Stones got through.”
getty images
05
Chance The Rapper
“Sometimes the truth don’t rhyme. Sometimes the lies get millions of views. Funerals for little girls, is that appealing to you? From your cubicle desktop, what a beautiful view.”
Timothy Hiatt
06
Chance The Rapper
“They don’t give nothing away. You gotta fight for your way. But that don’t take nothing away, cause at the end of the day, music is all we got.”
07
Chance The Rapper
April 16 is when this Chicago star was born.
Tim Mosenfelder
08
Chance The Rapper
“What’s better than eating is feeding your fam. What’s better than meetings is missing meetings to meet with your fam.”
09
Chance The Rapper
“My Dreamgirls behind me, feel like I’m James Early. The type of worship make Jesus come back a day early. With the faith of a a pumpkinseed-sized mustard seed. Hear, for I will speak noble things as entrusted me.”
Scott Dudelson
10
Chance the Rapper
“The tried to label me a non-rapper. I’m a independent contractor, card-cracker.”
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
11
Chance the Rapper
“I got my city doing front flips. When every father, mayor, rapper jumped ship. I guess that’s why they call it where I stay. Clean up the streets so my daughter could have somewhere to play.”
Getty Images
12
Chance The Rapper
“This my part, nobody else speak. This little light of mine, Glory be to God, yeah. I’mma make sure that they go where they can’t go, if they don’t wanna ride, I’mma still give ’em rain coats.”
Roger Kisby/Getty Images
13
Chance The Rapper
“Head on his shoulders aint his own. Someone told him his favorite song. Someone told him to watch his tone. Someone warned him of danger zones. Who forced the hand to make the clone? Who stands in line to take the throne? We only know what we know until someone knows better.”
startraksphoto.com
14
Chance The Rapper
“I got a feature, so I’m singing for my grandma. You singing too, but your grandma aint my grandma. Mines is handmade, pan-fried, sun-dried, southside, and beat the devil by a landslide. Praying with her hands tied, president of my fan club.”
15
Chance the Rapper
“Oo, watch me come and put the hinges in their hands. Countin’ Benjis while we meetin’, make ’em shake my other hand.”
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Anheuser-Busch
16
Chance the Rapper
“I’m not in the industry, not in the service, not into retail. Not into nodding my noggin, neglecting the detail. I’m only beginning, behold magnificence. Brown-skinned black boy with his dread-head friends, tall and omnipotent.”
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