Chance the Rapper won a Grammy for Best New Artist this year. His mixtape, Coloring Book, won awards and acclaim without a record label backing him. The mixtape won Best Rap Album at the Grammy's and it's most popular song "No Problem" won best Rap Performance as well. There was a lot of media buzz about this mixtape since it started out with a Soundcloud account and became such a success on its own without a single physical copy being made. So I decided to listen to it and write about my thoughts on it.
The top song, "No Problem", is a jam. I really enjoy it. The song features Lil Wayne and 2 Chains to create one of the best songs of the year deservingly. It's catchy and it establishes himself as a force to be reckoned with as he's dissing record labels and showing what he can do. This song is probably the only song that's approved for radio from his mixtape; not because of language or violence but because the songs are slower and have a gospel center.
Now, I can appreciate gospel for a while but I think most listeners wish "How Great" was a few minutes shorter since more than half of the song doesn't have Chance rapping at all. However, when he does, it's a smooth and powerful rap that is worth the wait, at least the first time.
"Blessings" is another Gospel rap song that seems like it could featured in a period piece with its use of trumpets and piano that bring the best of the past and the present together. It's very smooth and will put a smile on your face. It is also a song that Chance expresses himself as a man, which will be welcomed by his listeners.
"Juke Jam" is a sexy R&B hit that seems to stand out from the rest of the mixtape. It shakes it up and is a great addition to the award-winning album.
The other songs in this mixtape are lack luster, I'm afraid. They're either too long, boring, or quiet. Some of these songs you just have to turn it up because it seems like Chance just doesn't have enough energy in certain songs. The album is full of noise and conflicting noise. I don't mean it's loud or obnoxious but the songs sometimes have too much going on and it's very disconcerting.
Overall, Chance the Rapper has a few good songs on his album. This is pretty much a success for an album these days. The only disappointment I feel is that the media overhyped it. This underdog rapper made his way with a great mixtape and didn't need a record label. Another disappointment I had was the songs were decent but never really hit me. They didn't grab me by the collar and tell me to remember their names. Chance the Rapper has not ascended to the throne of Rap but I would say he will be a contender if he continues down this path. Whether he has a record label or not, he is a rapper to keep an eye on.
