Chance the Rapper makes me happy. I mean genuinely, deeply, profoundly happy. Whether he’s staning for Yonce', imitating an inflatable tube man, or recapping the highlights of the Obama’s farewell party, the 23-year-old South-Side Chicago native just radiates positive energy.
In addition to being the living embodiment of #blackjoy, the seven-time Grammy-nominated rapper has placed himself on the front lines of social activism. Whether championing his #SaveChicago campaign to combat gun violence in his hometown or buying back tickets from scalpers to give his fans an opportunity to bask in the success, Chance has proven himself a man of the people. In recent days, he made headlines as the youngest appointed board member for Chicago’s African-American History Museum, and for gracing the February cover of GQ Magazine.
Photo: GQ
In his GQ cover story, the rapper discussed fatherhood, ruminates on his success as an independent artist and puts his Grammy nods into perspective saying, "I think the Grammys are super important to music. As a musician, I think it’s the same thing as an actor receiving an Oscar. Do I think that the Grammys are always fully representative of a person’s talent? No. Just like Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t get an Oscar until this past year. And he’s been doing his f*cking thing. But I think everybody wants validation, everybody wants to feel like they did right. And I think the nominations are my victory. You know?"
Photo: GQ
When it comes to beef, Chance has no time for it. "I don’t see it ever happening. You know, I take my f*cking raps so seriously that I don’t write raps without having a purpose for them anymore. I can’t write raps without having a beat and having an understanding of what I’m going to do with that song. I have to know what I’m going to do with that track when I’m done. I can’t see myself ever having somebody say something about me on a song and me being like, 'All right, now I’m about to say something about them on a song.'”
He also spoke at length about Donald Trump's upcoming presidency and "Make America Great Again." He had some choice words to say. "You gotta just understand, like, shit has been f*cked-up, right?" he said.
“Like, 'Make America Great Again,' that’s not a real thing because shit ain’t really switched up for them. It’s not really going that bad for you. If you feel like you’re the under-represented, under-appreciated side of Middle America that is white —quote me — you need to, uh, toughen up, n*gga! Somebody gotta punch you in the chest because shit is sweet for you. You know what I’m saying? I would say to everybody, you know, the world is coming together. Like there’s—every day people are becoming more and more, I’m not using this word in terms of emotion, but sensitive to real issues and — and aware. That’s really what I mean. People are raising their kids to be more and more knowledgeable and understanding. I would say the main reason not to be afraid is that I’m making music for your kids now. I’m coming so clean-cut with the message of hope and understanding, and the Word, that it’s like: What could you be fearful of?"
Lil Chano from 79th is out here winning, and for good reason! We’re rooting for you Chance! We’re all rooting for you.
Read his full GQ interview here.
Photo: GQ
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