The Big Day
Chance The Rapper has become one of my favorite artists. In part, because of his music, and also his philanthropy. As a Chicagoan of 5 years now, I have watched him give back to this community and become a role model for the city. He is a great person, and I have enjoyed cheering him on every step of the way. His 2016 mixtape, Coloring Book, anointed him a bonafide superstar; winning 2 Grammy's and becoming the artist everyone wanted to collaborate with.
The Big Day (TBD), marks Chance's first official album. As all prior were free and strictly relegated to streaming services (i.e. SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music). Much hype has surrounded TBD and I had very high expectations. It is 22 songs in total, which for me is typically a no no (refer to my review of Drake's Scorpion). But for this album.... let's just say I made an exception.
Prior to listening to the album, I had watched many interviews with Chance, as well as read his outlook on the piece. He explained it was inspired by his wedding day, and was meant for people to dance to. Enter my exception. This album is a celebration. Something important to him that commemorates the best day of his life and serves as a soundtrack of the love he has for his wife and family. The Big Day personifies all of this.
Although it is a long album, it's filled with great collaborations, new sounds, and originality. He seems to pay heavy homage to 90s music, but also stays true to his gospel origins. Lyrically, Chance continues to bring it and finds rhymes that put a smile on your face. I enjoyed the skits intertwined throughout, as they remind me of old hip hop albums I grew up with. The album is not his best, but to me that wasn't important. People forget sometimes that an music doesn't have to be perfect or make millions of dollars. It is there to draw out emotion, elicit thought, and create a connection. My wedding day was the best day of my life, and I relate to Chance on that level. I liked The Big Day, and felt it was another strong step in Chance The Rapper's growth as an artist. That step, is making music that means something to you.
Only disappointment was that he did not include First World Problems. A song he debuted on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and was one of my favorites this year.
The Big Day (TBD), marks Chance's first official album. As all prior were free and strictly relegated to streaming services (i.e. SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music). Much hype has surrounded TBD and I had very high expectations. It is 22 songs in total, which for me is typically a no no (refer to my review of Drake's Scorpion). But for this album.... let's just say I made an exception.
Prior to listening to the album, I had watched many interviews with Chance, as well as read his outlook on the piece. He explained it was inspired by his wedding day, and was meant for people to dance to. Enter my exception. This album is a celebration. Something important to him that commemorates the best day of his life and serves as a soundtrack of the love he has for his wife and family. The Big Day personifies all of this.
Although it is a long album, it's filled with great collaborations, new sounds, and originality. He seems to pay heavy homage to 90s music, but also stays true to his gospel origins. Lyrically, Chance continues to bring it and finds rhymes that put a smile on your face. I enjoyed the skits intertwined throughout, as they remind me of old hip hop albums I grew up with. The album is not his best, but to me that wasn't important. People forget sometimes that an music doesn't have to be perfect or make millions of dollars. It is there to draw out emotion, elicit thought, and create a connection. My wedding day was the best day of my life, and I relate to Chance on that level. I liked The Big Day, and felt it was another strong step in Chance The Rapper's growth as an artist. That step, is making music that means something to you.
Only disappointment was that he did not include First World Problems. A song he debuted on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and was one of my favorites this year.
Photo credit: Pitchfork
Rating: 4/5
Songs To Move, Groove, and Sweat to: Do You Remember, Eternal, Hot Shower, Ballin Flossin, Let's Go on the Run, Handsome, Slide Around
Favorite Song: 5 year Plan
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