Leave it to Chance

Chance the Rapper made history in 2016 with the release of his third mixtape, Coloring Book.

The Chicago-born hip-hop artist released the album independently and exclusively through Apple Music, making it the first streaming-only album to earn a Grammy when Chance won Best Rap Album at the 2017 music awards.

The mixtape — which blends gospel with rap and features collaborations with Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Young Thug and others — also received wide critical acclaim.

Chance, 33, is touring North America this summer to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Coloring Book, including a stop at Canada Life Centre on Monday. Audiences can expect hits from that seminal project, along with music from his latest release, Star Line.

Rapper and producer Big Boi of Outkast fame supports.

The Free Press caught up with Chance over a video call from his hometown ahead of his Winnipeg appearance.

Free Press: Not every artist revisits their past releases in such a major way. Why is that important to you?

Chance the Rapper: I guess I’m just really proud of my work. And music that I like is music that I’ve examined over time and learned more and more from and experienced in different ways. Like the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill — I’ve been listening to that since I was a kid and I still learn new things from it. College Dropout (by Kanye West), same thing.

Good art grows with you and you have different perspectives on it over time. And so I think I always look at my art in a proud way. I’m kind of distant from it when it first comes out because there’s a separation anxiety I get when I’m not able to work on it as a fluid, growing thing anymore. But then I get to go on tour and love it all over again.

The best thing about doing anniversary shows … is that I’m just older and better at performing and arranging sets. So I’m really excited for this one because Coloring Book changed my life.

FP: Are there any songs on that album that have changed for you over the past decade, in terms of meaning or importance?

CTR: I really, really love doing Summer Friends. Even if some of the lyrics are already nostalgic, that’s how I felt about things at 23. I’m talking about childhood and I’m talking about relationships from my childhood. But then there’s other songs that are dissonant because my life has changed so greatly.

One of the coolest things that (comedian) Dave Chappelle told me when I was much younger is that albums are like yearbook photos. They’re not a portrait of your life, they’re a snapshot, true documentation of who you are in a moment.

FP: How do you think the music industry has changed, positively or negatively, for independent artists since the release of Coloring Book?

CTR: It’s become more of a viable option. Some of the biggest artists in the world are independent — Brent Faiyaz, Clairo. There’s definitely more investment from fans in making sure that the artists they listen to are happy and successful, and even happy in their contracts.

As a whole, the industry isn’t designed for artists to be in ownership positions or directing the profits. I think Coloring Book definitely laid the groundwork for there to be more conversations and I hope streaming gets to a place of equity for artists.

FP: You’ve been touring a lot recently in support of Star Line and you’re heading out again this summer for the Coloring Book anniversary. How has your approach to touring changed over the years?

CTR: I genuinely love touring. I’ve been touring since I was 18. When I was younger I didn’t do nothing in the cities. I would sit on the bus, maybe go out to a club after my show, but I wasn’t really going to museums or meeting real people. Now, I’m getting to the point where I respect the opportunity to learn about the culture of different cities. I also love getting to see people that love the art that I made.

FP: What do you like to bring on the road to make the travel more comfortable or enjoyable?

CTR: I have a portable PS5 case that has a screen in it, that’s pretty lit. I used to play the Fight Night games … and this new one came out called Undisputed, and it has all the fighters and my favourite game mechanics. It’s just a great boxing game (Chance is a major boxing fan).

And I’ll bring some literature and portable chargers.

FP: What are you reading right now?

CTR: I’m reading two books right now, The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon and Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, which is like a prophetic fictional account of this president that’s taking over the world. I’ve never read fiction my entire life, I mean (aside from) when we were in grammar school, but I’m getting into it.

FP: You recently played a Juneteenth show at the Hollywood Bowl and described it as one of your favourite performances. What was so important about that show, especially within the context of the 250th anniversary of the United States?

CTR: We’ve got dirt bikes and wrestling matches at the White House right now. There’s not really any sort of concentrated effort to right the wrongs of the past and it’s actually becoming a celebrated thing to destroy history in my country. I have the opportunity to be a writer, a journalist, a documentarian of life and to give context to the songs that I’m performing. The night went off without a hitch; it was beautiful and peaceful.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

eva.wasney@winnipegfreepress.com