Chance the Rapper is this generation’s superstar. There’s no doubt that the 23-year-old rapper from Chicago is hugely popular. He’s been on Ellen, Saturday Night Live, The Late Show and The Tonight Show. He’s been featured on over a dozen different artists’ songs, including those by Kanye West, Busta Rhymes and Childish Gambino.
His shows have sold out across the country and he even performed at the White House earlier this month; but the crazy part is that he’s only released three solo mix tapes and he’s not signed to a record label. He also puts out all of his music for free, allowing anyone and everyone to enjoy his socially-conscious, positivity-fueled music.
In spite of all that, it’s surprising that he can fill an entire venue like the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland this past Friday. It’s even more surprising how he remains humble and modest with all of this success. At the show, he talked about how grateful he was for each and every one of his fans and friends, acknowledging that he would not be where he is today without them.
In fact, opening for Chance was one of these friends, Francis and the Lights, featuring Francis Farewell Starlite who has produced and collaborated with several artists over the years, including Drake, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Bon Iver and The Weeknd.
At Chance’s show, Francis and the Lights played contemporary R&B to a mostly confused audience and largely overstayed his welcome. He tried to hype up the crowd with his annoying falsetto and abstract, David Byrne-esque dance moves; he hyped up the crowd with announcements that Chance would soon take the stage, but then would go on to start his next song. And when he eventually brought out Chance, another set of unwanted dance moves ensued.
Finally, after another hour, Chance the Rapper started his magnificent show. He played all of his hits from his entire discography and even his guest verses from “Ultralight Beam” and “Baby Blue.” He brought energy, positivity and nostalgia to Portland on Friday, and fans in the stadium seemed extremely thankful for that.
At one point, a giant, animatronic lion named Carlos popped out of the stage to tell Chance — or “Big Fella,” as Carlos called him — what kind of songs he wanted to hear Chance perform. Although Chance didn’t explain who or what Carlos is, I think he might be one of his childhood imaginary friends who still has a great influence over him.
Carlos, along with another animatronic character named Lady Dame and Chance’s use of bombastic colors and sounds, brought a much-needed childlike fervor to the show. He also brought religion, which might turn some people off, but he made it so universal that it doesn’t matter what you believe — if anything — and made everyone trust in his message of positivity and love.
In a world that’s wrought with violence, prejudice, corrupt politicians and executives, and political correctness, Chance the Rapper brings everyone together through one thing: music. As he sings on the first track from his newest mixtape, Coloring Book, “music is all we got.” Every kind of person seemed to be at the concert; no one was excluded and everyone was having a good time.
Chance the Rapper is on track to being one of the biggest stars in music of all time. He’s only 23 and already has three or — if you count Surf — four mixtapes out. He’s going to keep growing and, as he does, his music and messages will only improve. If anyone can bring peace and happiness to the world through music, it’s Chance the Rapper.
Courtesy of Creative Commons