Chance the Rapper Looks Back on the Impact of 'Acid Rap'
Aug 22, 2023
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Rapper Chance the Rapper reflects on the impact of his mixtape 'Acid Rap' 10 years later, touring with Mac Miller, Donald Glover, Eminem, and Macklemore, his relationship with Kanye West, and the evolution of hip-hop and his own perspective on politics.
Hip hop has become less joyous and more focused on negative emotions, with popular rappers conveying sadness and anger in their music.
Kanye West's artistry and fearlessness have been a significant influence on Chance the Rapper's music and career, expanding the possibilities for black men in the industry.
Deep dives
The Impact of Acid Rap and the Evolution of Hip Hop
Acid Rap, Chance the Rapper's mixtape released in 2013, had a significant impact on his career and the hip hop industry. It brought him recognition, audience, and success. However, in reflecting on the current state of hip hop, Chance expresses that the genre has become less joyous overall. Many popular rappers today, such as Drake and Travis Scott, convey feelings of sadness and anger in their music. Chance discusses the reasons behind this shift and ponders the question of what happened to the fun and exuberant nature of hip hop. He also explores his own journey as an artist and the challenges he faced, including trying to find his place in the music industry. Despite the changes in the industry, Chance continues to believe in the power and importance of hip hop as a tool for black liberation and collective upliftment.
The Influence of Kanye West and the Evolution of Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper acknowledges the significant influence Kanye West has had on his music and career. He credits Kanye with expanding the possibilities of what black men could be in the music industry, allowing for multi-dimensional and intersectional expressions. Chance discusses how Kanye's artistry and fearlessness inspired him in his own journey. He reflects on the impact of Kanye's albums, especially The College Dropout and Late Registration, and how they influenced his approach to music. Chance also recognizes the need for continuous growth and education, mentioning important conversations with his grandmother that deepened his understanding of black identity and Pan-Africanism. He emphasizes the importance of collective black empowerment and the potential for hip hop to drive positive change.
Critiquing Hip Hop and the 50th Anniversary of the Genre
Chance the Rapper addresses the need for critical conversations about hip hop in its 50th anniversary year. He acknowledges the presence of issues such as homophobia, sexism, and the glorification of wealth in the genre, but also emphasizes the complexity of hip hop as a reflection of the world. Chance recognizes the challenges faced by hip hop in addressing and evolving beyond these issues. He points out that hip hop alone cannot solve systemic problems like affordable housing, healthcare, or socioeconomic disparities. However, he sees hip hop as a powerful tool for black liberation and highlights the importance of ongoing self-education, celebration, and collective upliftment within the genre.
Personal Growth, Perspective, and the Future
Chance the Rapper discusses his personal growth and perspective over the past 10 years since releasing Acid Rap. He shares the influence of important conversations with his grandmother, which deepened his understanding of his own identity and the importance of imparting knowledge to his daughter. Chance also reflects on his journey as an artist, including the highs and lows, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned. He mentions the importance of being fearless, cites the influence of other artists like Andre 3000 and Lupe Fiasco, and expresses his pride in his own evolution. Chance concludes with a focus on the Black Star Line Festival he started, his experiences in Ghana, and his belief in the potential of hip hop for black liberation and unity.
"A rap game Ferris Bueller." "Fun and life affirming." That's what Pitchfork called the buzziest mixtape of 2013: Chance the Rapper's Acid Rap. The mixtape launched Chance's career and put him alongside some of the biggest artists in hip-hop. To commemorate Acid Rap's 10-year anniversary, Sam chats with Chance about his time touring with Mac Miller, Donald Glover, Eminem, and Macklemore after the mixtape's release; his relationship with Kanye West; and how hip-hop — and his own view of politics — has changed in the decade since.
