As a college student I think that I’m pretty successful. I’m 21 years old, graduating in the spring, I have a nice apartment, and I think I’ve accomplished a lot. But, then I remembered Chance the Rapper is the same age as me and I realize how much more life I have left to live. Chance and I are both from Chicago, we both grew up on the Southside, and we both went to selective enrollment high schools, but he’s already accomplished a lifetime’s worth of achievements. I, like many Chicagoans, have been following Chance’s career since his debut mixtape, which is why I am proud to declare with the utmost confidence that 2016 is the year of Chance the Rapper.
The first major accomplishment Chance had for the year actually came by way of Kanye West. Chance was heavily involved in producing Kanye’s latest album “Life of Pablo”. More than just production value, Chance had a show stopping verse on the album’s initial track “Ultralight Beams.” This verse was so well done that Chance then performed it on SNL alongside West, gaining national acclaim. Aside from getting critical attention, this verse managed to influence change with the Grammys.
Chance has a policy of not releasing his music for money, but the Grammys only consider works that have been sold for money and not released for free. At least they used to, until hearing Chance’s verse wherein he raps that his next Mixtape will be so good that the Grammys will have to take notice. After months of campaigning for it, Chance succeeded, and the Grammys changed their policy to allow music distributed through streaming services to also be considered for awards. This policy change came right on time for the release of Chance’s new mixtape.
With the use of citywide marketing that caught enormous attention Chance had a lot of hype surrounding the release of his new project. When the mixtape was released through Apple’s streaming service, “Coloring Book” lived up to all the hype. The record garnered favor from critics and fans alike. With guest features from music legends like Kanye and Lil Wayne, to newer artists like Lil Yachty and D.R.A.M., gospel and jazz inspired beats, and an overall tone of supreme positivity, Chance made a mixtape worthy of multiple Grammys after making it possible for him to win one at all.
All of those accolades would be enough for another person, but not Chance. In addition to doing all of those things, Chance also became the official ambassador of the White Sox. This title led to Chance redesigning the Sox hat and representing the team to the public, but it also spurred Chance’s Coloring Book Festival. The festival, held at the Sox home U.S. Cellular Field, was open to people of all ages, offered affordable tickets, and included appearances from some of music’s biggest names. During his headlining performance, Chance brought out the Chicago Children’s Choir to sing, shot off fireworks, and gave his hometown every reason to be proud.
The young rapper was then announced to be performing at the White House in December at the behest of President Obama himself. Coupled with the fact that Chance rewrote the iconic Kit-Kat Jingle, there is no denying it: 2016 is Chance the Rapper's year. One of the most likable artists has become one of the biggest artists in music right in front of the public eye. Rapping since he was in high school, Chance has certainly earned his time in the sun. With 2 months left in 2016, who knows how else he’ll shine.
