#NewMusicMonday
Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book
At first, all I really know about Chance the Rapper was that he was a rapper and was the star of this popular reaction gif on Tumblr
He’s a part of the backpack rapper era ushered in by one Kanye West circa 2005. The carefree black boy that still likes to rap but grew up with video games and comic books and had a cousin or two that were into gangsta shit but never got into it himself because he had theater after school or SAT practice or NHS meetings and stuff. Chance, Wale, Childish Gambino, J. Cole, etc.
And while it seems like that would be up my alley because I would be the converse “carefree black girl” I just never got into much of this rap era. Actually, if I’m not listening to my indie alt rock, I’m listening to trap music. In fact, right now my top ratchet song by one Lil Yachty. “Minnesota”.
But I digress.
Shea Serrano is a local fantastic writer who gave Chance’s new album very very high praise. Like, A BUNCH of praise. So I figured I give it a go.
At first it made me think of BJ the Chicago Kid because, well Chance is from Chicago (see also; West, Kanye) and there’s a heavy gospel influence throughout the entire album. BUT for some reason this jams a lot more. Probably because of the production, and there’s also some good features. Kanye, Bieber, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, LIL YACHTY WHAAAAAAAAAT, Jay Electronica. If you don’t know, these are big names in rap. Well, except Bieber, who just wishes he was. Either way, it’s good production, and good features. The gospel isn’t bad, because it’s not preachy, it’s just I mean, it’s just there. And it sounds good. So if you don’t mind your church house next to your trap house, this won’t bother you in the slightest.
The first listen I wasn’t too keen on it, but after the second day and third round, I was like “bring that beat back.” Current faves are “Mixtape” and “Juke Jam”. Chance also tweeted that an earlier version of “Same Drugs” featured one Regina Spektor! I must hear it. Now I need to go back and listen to his first one or two or however many CDs. Thanks Chance for trying to fill that hole in my ears from Kanye.
Coloring Book was exclusive on Apple Music for a week but now I’m steaming it on Spotify. Apparently it’s streaming only because this is the future, but I need liner notes and to feel all that the Fender subwoofer in the VW has to offer so as soon as I can buy a hard copy, I will. You can get it straight from the tap at Chance’s site.
Here’s a sample: (NSFW)