Chance the Rapper is a gift to this world.
He is to good for us and we do not deserve him. No ifs, ands, or butts about it. There's a reason he's nominated for 7 grammy's. It's because his music and his message are just that good. Don't believe me? Listen for yourself! Now, I'll be the first one to say that without this dude and this album, my first semester of college would've seemed almost unbearable at times. But thanks to this able, help from others, and a lot of prayer, I made it y'all! So now, I'm gonna share a few of my personal favorites from Coloring Book, and how they helped me survive my first semester of college.
1. All We Got (feat. Kanye West & Chicago Children's Choir)
"So we might as well give it all we got."
College is not easy. It's the first time you're truly out on your own, fending for yourself in this big cruel world. Let me give you some insight into just how difficult college is. There will be times where you will choose between sleeping or eating. You can have one or the other, but you can't have both. There will be times where you'll be sitting in one class while doing homework for another class. Somedays, your biggest accomplishment will be the fact that you got out of bed for you 8am at all. But this songs helped me realize how college, and life in general, is the ultimate example of going at your own pace. If you want something, you gotta work for it. But have no fear, because everyone else is just trying to figure it out too. Newsflash: No one's life is completely perfect, but that doesn't mean you stop trying. In college, no matter if you're in your first semester, your eight, or your eighteenth, and the end of the day, as long as you did your absolute best, then that's good enough. But you're here for a reason, so go learn something, and give it all you got pal.
2. Blessings
"When the praises go up, the blessings come down."
The worst thing you could do in college, is think that you can do everything by yourself. That and plagiarism. But anyway, college is not the time to decide that you are the perfect person and can handle everything that's thrown at you all by yourself. Because I'll tell you right now, you can't. I had to learn this the hard way, but thankfully this song and so many other people helped me get back to where I needed to be. So have no fear! There's so many people on whatever campus you're on that are so willing to help you get to where you need to go. Everyone on that campus, from the servers in the dining hall, to the janitors, to servers at Starbucks, and especially your professors want to see you succeed. Don't you ever forget that. So make sure you thank the people that got you to where you are, and will continue to help you get to where you need to go (especially God).
3. All Night (feat. Knox Fortune)
"All night I've been drinkin all night I've been drinkin' all night I've been drinkin ay ay"
For the countless numbers of all-nighters you'll pull working to finish that essay that you got 3 weeks ago. And for the times where you'll stay trapped in the library from sun up to sun down. Trust me pal, it happens to the best of us. But once you get that A on the test you were studying for or the paper you were writing, it makes it all worth it. And you'll promise yourself that you'll never procrastinate this much again, but you definitely will and that's ok to. This song is great for celebrating surviving hell week, but also for a quick much needed dance break in the middle of you 6 hour study session. And as far as the drinking stuff goes... STAY HYDRATED FAM! HYDRATE OR DIE-DRATE! (no but seriously drink responsibly yo you got class in the morning.)
4. Finish Line/Drown (feat. T-Pain, Kirk Franklin, Eryn Allen Kane, and Noname)
"All my days, I prayed and prayed but now I see the finish line, oh I'm gonna finish mine"
You've come so far, but got so far to go. Sometimes it'll seem like your drowning in everything that you've got to do. You've got assignments to complete, scholarships and internships to apply for, AND keep your room at least half way clean!? It's seems impossible, right? But I promise that it's all gonna be worth buddy! When you cross that stage at graduation, you'll realize how every essay, quiz, test, and everything in between was so worth it. But just in case the finish line at graduation seems a little far away, consider the much deserved nap you'll take after class as a close second. This song should remind you that it's not about how you start, but how you finish. But you're not gonna get there without working for it. So do what you've gotta do (except plagiarize) and make it to that finish line pal. Your future is waiting for you.
5. Blessings (Reprise) (feat. Anderson Paak, BJ The Chicago Kid, Raury, and Ty Dolla $ign)
"Are you ready for your blessing?"
This is the ultimate pre-test jam. Listening to this when your own your way to your midterm, final, or even your first test is the ultimate pick me up that you need. Now, granted you don't get an A on a test by crossing your fingers and praying for it. But this song is such a great reminder for all the blessings God has in store for you that you don't even know about, but you've got to be ready to receive them. So get ready! You were put on this Earth for a reason, so go and find it. And whenever God presents you with a challenge to overcome or a problem to solve, be ready for the blessings that we be given to you afterwards. So for now, don't be discouraged. "The people's champ must be everything the people can't be," so keep pushing, keep fighting, and keep studying. Your blessing is on it's way.
