Chancelor Bennett is only 21 years old, but most of us know him as Chance The Rapper. It's through this moniker that he's brought his artistry to the world over the past few years. Not only can the dude rap, but he can join emo bands on stage, spearhead activism in Chicago, and write songs alongside Madonna, J. Cole, Wyclef Jean and more. He comes across as a really well-rounded individual in his interviews, too.
Most of us got to know Chance after he exploded on to the scene with his Acip Rap mixtape. His druggy subject matter, storytelling ability, and overall attitude makes him nothing less than special, and everybody has started to catch on. Now, alongside the Social Experiment, Chance The Rapper is looking to release his best project yet, Surf.
Before that, we figured it would be cool to highlight Chance's work thus far. Here are the 10 essential tracks from Chance The Rapper.
Chance The Rapper - Chain Smoker
A bouncy track introduces Chance as exactly what he is...
"Still a chain smoking
Name dropping
Good looking
Muh' fucking
Motha, shut your mouth
Brain broken
Frank Ocean listening
Stain hitting, satin woodgrain gripping
Paint dripping
Motha, shut your mouth"
Chance The Rapper featuring Vic Mensa & Twista - Cocoa Butter Kisses
Chance brings together the new guy (and good friend) Vic Mensa and Chicago tongue-twistin' vet Twista for this one.
Chance The Rapper featuring Action Bronson - NaNa
Chance invites Bronsolino to hop on an Acid Rap cut. The title is "NaNa" but we're like "Yeah YEAH!"
Action Bronson featuring Chance The Rapper - Baby Blue [Prod. Mark Ronson]
Then Action Bronson returned the favor by letting Chance hop on a Mr. Wonderful cut. This funky one really displays Chance's imagination. His verse is unique and hilarious.
"I hope you get a paper cut on your tongue
From a razor in a paper cup
I hope every soda you drink already shaken up
I hope your dreams dry like raisins in the baking sun
I hope your titties all saggy in your early 20's
I hope there's always snow in your driveway
I hope you never get off Fridays
And you work at a Friday's that's always busy on Fridays
I hope you win the lottery and lose your ticket
I hope it's Ben and Socrates poop all up in your kitchen
I hope the zipper on your jacket get stuck
And your headphones short, and your charger don't work
And you spill shit on your shirt
I hope your tears don't hurt, and I can smile in your face
Cut my losses, how Delilah changed my locks to a fade
I hope you happy, I hope you happy
I hope you ruined this shit for a reason, I hope you happy, igh"
Vic Mensa featuring Chance The Rapper - Suitcase
Vic Mensa and Chance The Rapper really jive well together on a track. Peep this one, titled "Suitcase."
SZA featuring Chance The Rapper - Child's Play [Prod. XXYYXX]
Give Chance a super slow beat and he'll kill it. The guy absolutely crushes it when he has space to really step outside the box.
Chance The Rapper & The Social Experiment - No Better Blues
It seems as of late, Chance has taken to making music alongside his band, collective and friends: The Social Experiment. They get real moody on this one.
Nosaj Thing & Chance The Rapper - Paranoia
Chance might be at his best over super chill beats like this. Here he links up with producer Nosaj Thing for a super sweet cut.
Vic Mensa featuring Chance The Rapper - Tweakin'
Just because we can't get sick of the Vic / Chance combo. Hopefully we see a lot of these cats together as they both skyrocket into popularity.
Chance The Rapper - Acid Rain
One of chances finest cuts is the emotional "Acid Rain." He's too smooth over this one with his singing / rapping combo. He gets pretty emotional here, and it's clear that Chance is a young dude with a lot to figure out in life. He has an incredible, motivating, and uplifting way of going through it though, and we're really happy to watch (and listen!) along the ride.
"Kicked off my shoes, tripped acid in the rain
Wore my jacket as a cape, and my umbrella as a cane
The richest man rocks the snatch-less necklace
Spineless bitches in backless dresses
Wore my feelings on my sleeveless
My weed seedless, my trees leafless
I miss my diagonal grilled cheeses
And back when Mike Jackson was still Jesus"
"And I still get jealous of Vic
And Vic's still jealous of me
But if you touch my brother
All that anti-violence shit goes out the window along with you
And the rest of your team
Smoking cigarettes to look cooler
I only stop by to look through ya
And I'm only getting greedier
And I'm still Mr. Youmedia
And I still can't find Talent
And I'm still choosing classmates that wouldn't fuck
Mom still thinks I should go back to school
And Justin still thinks I'm good enough
And Mama Jan still don't take her meds
And I still be asking God to show his face
And I still be asking God to show his face"