What was the Chance?

 

      “Thirsty, thirsty, tryna choose.  I mean, I know I’m pretty cool. My Nitty bag, my kitty boost, I got the juice, I got the juice.” I rapped over and over to myself Chance the Rapper lyrics as I got ready. It was a beautiful night in Los Angeles during my freshman year at Loyola Marymount University. I was getting ready to go out with my friends to a party being thrown by the rugby team. It was the only party we heard about that night and figured it wouldn’t be that fun. I continued to put on my clothes looked, in the mirror and put on my bucket hat. I had a feeling the night was going to be great seeing that “I had the juice”.   

  I met my friend who lived upstairs from me in Whelan Hall and we got ready to go. We were friends with Chance The Rapper’s girlfriend who attended LMU at the time.  She was very good friends with our friends Patrick and Taylor. Little did we know what events would occur that night. When our friend texted us saying he was outside we hopped in the car and headed to the party which was located right outside the back gates of school. We got there and it was a pretty good crowd but to me it was just another boring party but things changed when my friends and I turned towards the door to see Chance the rapper walk in, cigarette in hand, and head towards the Kitchen area we were standing in. A lot of people didn’t really notice at first but I thought to my self, “What is Chance doing at an LMU Rugby party?” As Chance made his way through the crowd and made his way towards the back of the kitchen by the sink, people began to notice and went crazy. I was next to one of my favorite artists in the world and someone I truly looked up to at the time. I was walking by him as he put a lighter to his cigarette. I asked him if he was trying to smoke (Yes, I smoked marijuana freshman year.) Without hesitation he replied “Roll up bro!” We sprinted to the car to do so and ran back in as soon as possible.  I ended up smoking and having a motivating conversation with one of the most polarizing figures rap has ever seen. As I woke up the next morning it all felt like a dream until I checked my Twitter account and saw Chance Tweet, “I'm at a college party. They decide to play my song. We all dance. #LMU”. “What a night,” I said to myself in utter disbelief. 

Since that time, Chance has grown into one of the top artists in hip hop and has yet to sign to a major label, remaining an independent artist. According to an article by Business Insider, “With the release of his latest album, “Coloring Book,” Chance the Rapper is taking over the hip hop world. And while most 23-year-olds in his position might rush to sign a multimillion dollar record label deal, Chance is holding out.” Chance is inspiring so many young artists to follow suit and retake hip hop music, removing the influence that labels hold over their artists, diminishing the quality and message found in music. Chance’s influence has pushed the boundaries of music. He has released all of his music for free and makes all of his money from tours, festivals, and endorsements. Chance has also spearheaded the movement where projects (Mixtapes and Albums) released on Soundcloud will be eligible for Grammy nominations. Chance tweeted, “Projects released on @Soundcloud will be eligible for #GRAMMYs in 2018.”  Chance is a polarizing figure and at the young age of 22, he is just now beginning to leave his mark on not just hip hop but the world through his service to his communities. He has performed in the White House several times, met with former President Barrack Obama on several occasions, and holds “open mike” nights for Chicago inner-city teens to come and express themselves through the arts. 

      Chance the Rapper changed my life that night I met him. He left my friend and I with advice that has changed my perspective on everything. “It starts with you. You are your success. Follow your passion and do what makes you happy. Be true to you.” He motivated me to follow my passions and do the things that I enjoy despite what others may think.  I have taken those words and want to leave them with you. Do what you love and love what you do.