I could never really put my finger on why exactly I didn’t enjoy his music much, but I just didn’t. For one, he always just struck me as a weird dude. Secondly, he has a very distinct sounding voice that never really rubbed me the right way. I’ve heard it best described as sounding like Harrold from Hey Arnold.

He also hasn’t really put out a solo album. He has a collection of mixtapes and free projects, but not an actual studio album, yet he has amassed a following of millennial rap fans that is off the charts. I remember the first time I heard Acid Rap my senior year of high school in TJ’s car on the way home from track practice. I dug it, but just couldn’t resonate with his entire body of work. I would then love him as a featured artist, but once again never his solo projects. This has all changed in the past year or so.

As Chance has made efforts to make his life better, he has also made strides to better his city of Chicago. He started a fundraiser to help provide sleeping bags for the homeless population in the city.

This coat turns into a sleeping bag for homeless. Homeless are hired to make the coats. https://t.co/43Is78SKRM pic.twitter.com/RVJiAJKtvX

— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) December 17, 2015

This was during a period when he was working on his faith (as evidenced by his music). Then he started working with Kanye West, which was sure to bring his career to the forefront.

Coloring Book was my third attempt at listening to Chance, and as they say, third time’s the charm. It’s early, but this project is really good. Sonically, it’s all over the place. From gospel, progressive hip-hop, trap music, to ’90s R&B. This project has it all. The lyrical content is introspective as well. Chance talks about his girlfriend, baby daughter, his faith journey, the city of Chicago and much more.

The project was released in typical Chance fashion, by streaming it on Apple Music and offering free downloads on Datpiff. Between Kanye, Drake and Chance, the definition of what an album is is changing. The past few weeks have been filled with huge projects such as Beyoncé’s Lemonade and Drake’s Views, but Chance has stolen the show by putting out a free project, and that’s the way he wants it. The price of the music doesn’t limit the project’s quality either, with Kanye-like production and features from big name artists such as Justin Bieber, Kirk Franklin, Future, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, and Mr. West himself, the album isn’t lacking. Chance also goes in full rappity-rap mode as well, especially on songs such as “How Great” and “Blessings.” The combination of T-Pain and Kirk Franklin on “Finish Line/Drown” will create a praise break within your soul. The duo with Justin Bieber on “Juke Jam” will make you drop what you’re doing and text your crush immediately. This project is just really good.

I’m not going to call this project a classic, because it’s not, but I like the chance hip-hop is taking right now, and I’m asking you to join in.

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Adam Hubert

Writing since May 2016 · 1 story contributed