Chance the Rapper

Biography

Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, known professionally as Chance the Rapper, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 16, 1993. His father, Ken Williams-Bennett, was an aide to former Chicago mayor Harold Washington and Senator Barack Obama, and his mother, Lisa, worked for the Illinois Attorney General. Growing up in the middle-class neighborhood of West Chatham, he was inspired by artists like Michael Jackson and fellow Chicagoan Kanye West. During his senior year at Jones College Prep High School, a 10-day suspension for marijuana possession led him to record his first mixtape.

Musical Career

Chance's career began with the release of his debut mixtape, "10 Day," in 2012, which he recorded during his high school suspension. The project garnered local attention and was featured in Complex magazine. His second mixtape, "Acid Rap" (2013), brought him mainstream recognition and critical acclaim for its unique sound and lyrical depth. This was followed by collaborations with various artists, including Childish Gambino. In 2015, he released the album "Surf" with his band, The Social Experiment.

Rise to Fame and Grammy Awards

His third mixtape, "Coloring Book" (2016), was a landmark project that was released exclusively on streaming services. It featured major artists like Kanye West, Justin Bieber, and Lil Wayne. In 2017, "Coloring Book" made history by becoming the first streaming-only album to win a Grammy Award, taking home the prize for Best Rap Album. That same night, Chance also won for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance for the song "No Problem." This achievement solidified his status as a major independent artist in the music industry.

Studio Album and Recent Work

In 2019, Chance released his debut studio album, "The Big Day," which was inspired by his wedding. The album featured a wide range of collaborators and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. He has continued to release music, including singles and collaborations with other artists.

Activism and Philanthropy

Chance the Rapper is well-known for his social activism and philanthropy, particularly in his hometown of Chicago. In 2017, he donated $1 million to Chicago Public Schools to support arts education. Through his nonprofit organization, SocialWorks, he has raised millions more for youth programs and to combat issues like gun violence. His dedication to his community has been a consistent theme throughout his career.