Chance the Rapper’s new acclaimed album, Star Line, takes us back to his roots. Inspired by Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line shipping company, which promoted Black economic independence, Chance aims to carry the culture forward with his music and message. So catching a ride on the Red Line with him last Friday ahead of his Northerly Island show in Chicago seemed fitting, as the train was a physical embodiment of the Star Line concept.
In partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Chano from 79th decked out a Red Line train with the starry album art by Chicago artist and friend Brandon Breaux. With a group of invite-only riders, Chance rode the train Oct. 10 from the Harrison stop in the South Loop to the end of the line at the 95th and Dan Ryan station on the South Side. The 32-year-old rapper and Chatham native used to take this same route to Jones College Prep High School, where he graduated from in 2011.
“I feel very loved by the city of Chicago,” Chance told The TRiiBE.
The city welcomed him home like a heavy weight champion. Just before his Red Line takeover, Chance released his self-directed video to the remix of his latest single “Ride,” adding Twista to the legendary Chicago lineup with Do or Die.
“I’ve been taking the train since I was yay-high,” Chance told The TRiiBE. “So seeing my album, seeing all the people that came out early to get on the train and ride with me, having a video come out today, having a show today, my heart is very full,” he told The TRiiBE.
His Star Line album played through the train speakers. Chance went to each train car, rapping, singing, dancing and talking with all of the passengers.
At the 95th and Dan Ryan station, passengers were met with complimentary classic Chicago snacks by the “Candy lady,” free Star Line posters, as well as an opportunity to purchase the new Star Line album, hats, hoodies and other merchandise.
“It feels like a dream,” Chance said. “People be saying that’s corny, but, like, what? This the train, foe!”
It’s been six years since South Side rapper released his last project in 2019, titled The Big Day, which received mixed reviews. While Chance’s Star Line has been heralded by the media and the social-media universe as a comeback project and his return to form, Chance fans say he’s been consistent since day one.
One thing’s for sure, he’s always prioritized Chicago. To date, Chance has given over $5 million to Chicago Public Schools. In 2016, he led thousands of young voters in a “parade to the polls” for the U.S. presidential election, giving a free concert in downtown Chicago beforehand. The rapper is a guiding light for Chicago as he inspires hope and unapologetically speaks out about social issues that plague the city.
“The city needs this type of energy right now with everything going on,” said Idriss Joseph, a 32-year-old fan.
Fans appreciate Chance’s resilience after receiving mixed reviews from 2019’s The Big Day.
“I think that artists grow as human beings,” Joseph said. “Their artistry grows and develops. I think The Big Day was extremely mature for Chance’s audience, and it probably was difficult for them to stomach it. But I think Star Line is more of a representation of OG Chance. So getting back to some roots, but he never lost it. He just evolved you.”
Joseph was among the thousands who came out later that evening to Chance’s “And We Back” tour at Chicago’s Northerly Island. Around 6:00 P.M., attendees could hear Chance doing his soundcheck as they gathered at the gates of the venue. By 6:30 P.M., the gates opened and fans poured into the stands.
Chance’s younger brother, rapper Taylor Bennett, opened the show. “This is the first time I’ve ever gone on tour with my brother,” he told The TRiiBE. “I don’t know what to expect, but I have a lot of energy. The crowd looks great. And this is my hometown. This is Chicago, so we’re gonna turn it up like nowhere else.”
Bennett performed his songs, including “Roof Gone,” “Champagne Tears,” and “Be Yourself.” He also brought out fellow Chatham rapper Adamn Killa and Englewood rapper Lil M.U. The latter performed her hit single “Top of Cars.”
“You see all these people, and they all have smiles on their faces, and you know that they’re going somewhere to enjoy themselves, and I feel like not just in the music space, but there’s not enough spaces like that period,” Bennett said. “That’s why Chance is and will always be so successful.”
Chance began his “And We Back” tour in Houston, Texas on Sept. 26. Throughout its run, he’s brought out other rappers: such as LaRussell who opened for Chance at multiple locations, and Cash Money legend Juvenile at the New Orleans tour stop.
In Chicago, Chance paid homage to Chicago legends Do or Die, a 1990s rap group hailing from the West Side. The group is considered one of the pioneers of the fast-paced, melodic flow, which became a trademark of the Midwest rap style, and cemented them in hip hop history forever. Hitting the stage after Taylor’s set, Do or Die did their classics: “Do You,” “Paper Chase,” and “Po Pimp.” They ended with the latter, a 1996 Chicago anthem featuring Twista and the late Johnny P.
DJ Oreo had a fun and rowdy set, playing everything from Miley Cryus’s “Party in the USA” and “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton to “Faneto” by Chief Keef.
After that, Chance took the stage. He performed a whopping 100-minute set which consisted of 22 songs. While the length of the concert as a whole seemed a bit lengthy, fans showed their loyalty — most of them stayed until the very end.
Behind Chance, a Star Line-themed celestial mix of stars, clouds, and song lyrics from his songs played on a big screen, a theme he’s consistently kept going for years.
During the concert, fans were elated to see guest after guest come and join Chance on stage. First, he brought out Chicago’s newest teen sensation BabyChiefDoIt to perform “Drapematomia”, which lit the crowd up, and the young star brought tons of energy with his gritty lyrics and explosive stage presence.
Never missing an opportunity when his music directly relates to real life issues, Chance completely broke down the beat for “Drapematomia,” repeating slowly and clearly so everyone can hear a line that goes, “I got a 9 millimeter called Thug Life, I got a new chain, it say ‘F**k ICE'”. As “F**k ICE plastered on the screen behind him in bold white letters on a Black screen.
He let the music die, and he let the moment breathe for a little bit.
Then, friend and rapper Vic Mensa joined Chance on stage to perform “Back to the Go,” an impactful performance which was unfortunately met with a few technical difficulties where Mensa’s mic didn’t work initially.
Finally, singer-songwriter and frequent collaborator Jamila Woods accompanied Chance on “No More Old Men,” a powerful song, which had audience members at full attention as they sang along.
Chance also performed some songs from his older projects, like “Same Drugs,” “No Problem,” and “All Night.” While some fans were a little upset he didn’t perform Acid Rap’s “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” especially with Vic Mensa being present, these songs fit in well with the celebratory theme of the night.
“I’m just happy he’s back,” said 32 year old fan Mike Spiff. “I feel like when he was gone for so long, like there’s been a space in hip hop. I’m happy he’s back.”
Since 2020, Spiff said he’s felt a lack of “real” hip hop, particularly raps centering on good lyricism and sense of place.
“We still on some street shit and, you know, sometimes we want to talk [about] more than that,” he told The TRiiBE.
Making an obvious Grammy push, Chance and his team have submitted the Star Line album, and several songs for Grammy consideration, including “No More Old Men” (feat. Jamila Woods) for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Rap Song; “Letters” for Best Rap Performance, “Ride” (feat. Do or Die) for Best Melodic Rap Performance, and “Space & Time” for Best Pop Solo Performance. His fans believe Chance has done what it takes to take home at least one award from the Recording Academy.
At the concert, The TRiiBE saw Zuri Salahuddin who played Stacy from the hit HBO Show “South Side.” A friend and supporter of Chance, she gave her thoughts on the album. “We’re going to the Grammys with this one, I hope — and I feel — because it’s such a good album,” Salahuddin said
“He wrote it so well, and the timing, the atmosphere, and things that are going on within the world today, I feel like it’s a great album to turn to and give yourself hope and have something to look forward to while you’re listening and powering through whatever you’re going through,” she added.
