The Chance for authentic creativity

Rapper provides example of advocacy in mainstream music

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Now that music is mostly free to access, listening to anything is easy. But does that mean creativity is diluted or set free? 

As listeners, purchasers and fans, when we indiscriminately support — or fail to support — everything we see on the Internet, creativity gets devalued. But the example Chance the Rapper provides demonstrates that the rise of music distribution on the Internet has allowed some amazing young talent to flourish, so long as we prioritize the music over the money.  

His tunes are catchy, equally fun to bump at parties or while you’re grinding out an essay. You might be a huge fan already, or maybe you heard his verse on Kanye’s album once. In any case, there’s no question that Chancellor Bennett — aka Chance the Rapper — is on a continual up. 

Here’s what sets him apart: throughout his career and the recent spike in publicity, Chance has demonstrated a sustained commitment to his creative values. Despite offers from multiple labels, merchandise sales and touring are still his sole source of income while he relies on word of mouth and Soundcloud to spread his music.   

While clearly capable of creating chart toppers, a closer look reveals an intelligent young artist who cares about more than just making hit singles — his approach follows a long standing tradition of using music as a political and personal statement, which sometimes falls to the wayside in current iterations of pop music. 

He attributes his personal need for musical autonomy as stemming from the influence of his father’s life (Chance’s dad currently acts as the chief of staff to Rahm Emmanuel, mayor of Chicago). Advocacy is a large part of the rapper’s work outside of music, specifically in Chicago. Here he hosts “Open Mikes,” alongside programs to engage with youth, and continued advocacy against gun violence and for Black Lives Matter. 

Chance was named a Chicagoan of the Year in 2015 for his musical and social contributions to the wider community.

His lyrical construction reflects strong community ties and a call for fixing what needs to be fixed. In the track ‘Angels,’ Chance opens with reference to the need for political change in the city: “When every father, mayor, rapper jump ship/ I guess that’s why they call it where I stay/Clean up the streets, so my daughter can have somewhere to play.”

Chance’s choice to use his music for political expression isn’t necessarily unique, nor is his commitment to community advocacy. Hordes of artists have used their music and public influence to this end. However, Chance’s success serves as a prime case to highlight increasing divides in the music industry. 

“For my life to be an interesting narrative and a consistent one, I need to be that guy, there is a success in self success,” he said, in an interview with Ellen. 

And that’s fair enough — but as listeners and consumers we also have a responsibility to give recognition where it’s due. Whether that means paying attention to the political causes of those artists or supporting them through other means — as consumers we, too, have some autonomy and responsibility in dictating what’s valuable as art for our generation, what isn’t and why.

The way you do that is to do you. In the words of Chance: “be ‘bout that jam.” 

Tags

Lifestyle, Music

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