Photo by Genius. http://genius.com/albums/Chance-the-rapper/Colorin...
Hip-hop has always had a puddle of God in it. Chance The Rapper, formerly out of the south side of Chicago, has taken that puddle and turned it into a hurricane.
Chance's third mixtape, "Coloring Book," is hip-hop's first gospel album. Rap fans have said that it is a continuation and a manifestation of Kanye West's "The Life of Pablo," which Chance was featured on. However, while "The Life of Pablo" is often messy and sounds like it is made from a broken man, "Coloring Book" is precise and sounds like it is made from a man who is heading to the moon. To say this album is influenced by gospel music is a mistake, it is a form of gospel music.
Religious, or spiritual, music is often accused of being hectoring and pretentious. On "Coloring Book," Chance uses it as his muse. He is inspired by his faith. He isn't a religion teacher, he's a pastor. "Blessings," the mixtape's fifth track, shows Chance discussing Jesus in relation to race: "I know Jesus' black life ain't matter/I know I talked to his daddy/said you the man of the house now, look out for your family."
Chance thinks of himself as a disciple on this mixtape. On the mixtape's intro song "All We Got" he orates: "I was baptized like real early/I might give satan a swirle." He is a child of God. He feels like he has been chosen to rap about God. Other rappers, such as Kanye West and T.I., have talked about God in their music, but it felt self-serving and personal with them. Chance is in a church. He has an audience. He wants to speak to his listeners.
Heaven is something of a motif in this album. In a world where cynicism about religion has expanded, Chance seems excited about his faith. If Chicago is where Chance is from, heaven is where he thinks he will be.
