On September 25th, at midnight, Stephen Colbert hosted his show per usual; however, out of the norm that night was the live debut of the then untitled song “First World Problems” by Chance the Rapper. Chance left his usual excited, eccentric self behind that night and sang the new song with a somber, serious tone, because the subject called for it. With a simple blues guitar riff in the background, Chance emotionally discusses fatherhood, sinning, regrets, social justice, and the American dream. The lyric,

“Y’all just keep clappin’ and keep actin’

Like Flint got clean water and y’all don’t got teen daughters and black friends and gay cousins,

y’all just gon’ say nothin,’”

perfectly encapsulates the power behind his words. This song epitomizes the reason why Chancelor Bennett is unlike most other rappers of today’s day and age – he raps with raw emotion, meaning, and purpose.  

       

        The night after, September 26th, I had the privilege to go see Chance the Rapper live at Forest Hills stadium in Queens as he was wrapping up his “Be Encouraged” tour supporting his newest Album, Coloring Book, the first album to win a Grammy and rightfully so – I did not go one song that night without chills scampering throughout my body. It is an inspiring album that mixes gospel music with rap, creating “an uplifting mix that even an Atheist can catch the Spirit to,” as Kris Ex, a writer for Pitchfork, perfectly describes, and I can attest to. He opened the night emphatically with “Mixtape,” a song that blasts the current direction of music away from the old ways of mixtapes and free distribution towards streaming and record labels. Although it is one of my least favorite songs from the album, Chance was able to bring life to the song obscured behind a recording to instantly create an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation for what was to come. Following this was Blessings, transitioned into well by Chance through his commentary in between songs, talking about his experience in this country and the blessings we all have and need in our lives to push forward. As the concert progressed, with tracks like “Sunday Candy,” “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” “First World Problems,” and “No Problem,” Chance instilled a light into each audience member that will never be extinguished.

Photo by Brandon St Jean

        However stellar the meat of his concert was, I have no words to describe how I felt during the final two pieces. After performing “Finish Line”, the stage went black. Then suddenly, the two spotlights flashed on and converge on Chance who was sitting on a step onstage, hands out front getting ready to play the air piano. He then mimicked playing the first two chords of “Same Drugs,” and the whole crowd went wild. It is a deep and sad song about love, even though the title might suggest otherwise on the surface, that anyone who was grown apart from another they once cared for and loved can easily relate to. Chance repeats in the chorus,

“We don’t do the same drugs no more

We don’t do the, we don’t do the same drugs, do the same drugs no more

‘Cause she don’t do the same drugs no more

We don’t do the, we don’t do the same drugs, do the same drugs no more,”

which are the epitome of the entire song. Drugs in this context is not literal, but rather a metaphorical way of saying that they just are not on the same wavelength any longer.

       

        On the surface, many may see Chance as just any regular rapper that sings about drugs and superficial pleasures. However, as we have seen in his progression of music from his original mixtape “10 Day” to now, that is not who he is as a rapper nor a person, which is what brings about my admiration and love for him, not just his music. When one looks at Chancelor Bennett and what he has done for rap and his city of Chicago, it is clear why he is so highly praised by fans, critics, and lovers of music.