Chance the Rapper is an artist and a symbol of the Obama administration. He was known for charm and kindness, health and hope. He has been repeatedly praised by Obama for his contributions to music and their shared hometown of Chicago. However, the 2020s weren’t easy for Chance the Rapper. The release of The Big Day in 2019 effectively killed his career momentum, and he’s remained silent in the years since. However, Chano decided to take to Instagram on November 11 to add his two cents on the results of the recent US election.
Chance the Rapper didn’t write an impassioned call for unity or detail his own anger. Instead, he decided to post photos of legendary African leaders throughout history. These leaders included Malcolm X, Field Marshal Musa Mwariama, and Harriet Tubman, among countless others. Most of these leaders are depicted wielding some kind of weapon, whether it’s a sword or a gun. It’s a surprising choice for a rapper who has been both praised and reviled for his squeaky clean image. The caption added to the sense of rebellion emanating from the post. “Dedicated to the lost,” rapper Chance wrote.
The rapper’s post left many confused. Some have criticized the rapper for promoting violence, which contrasts with the messages in his music. “Are you so violent?” one user asked. Another accused Chano of speaking out against Trump and being one of the wealthy people who could benefit from a second Trump term. Chance the Rapper, however, has made his distaste for Trump clear from day one. Trump thanked Chance for his kind words toward Kanye West, a loyal Trump supporter in 2018, but the rapper didn’t accept it. He quoted Trump’s tweet and wrote back: “No, that’s not the case.”
There was a third reaction to Chance the Rapper’s post. Many fans expressed their desire for new music rather than politically charged IG posts. It’s been five years since Chano’s last release, and he’s been teasing the release of Star Line since 2022. time to have fans curious about what new Chance music would sound like. Hopefully we’ll get it soon.
About the author
Elias Andrews is the music and entertainment writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH in 2024 as chief night writer, which means he covers new releases every week. In the year since joining, Elias has covered some of the biggest, most tumultuous stories in music. He’s been covering Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s battle on the fly, especially with the release of topics like “Family Matters” and “Meet the Grahams.” He also detailed a list of ongoing allegations and criminal charges against Diddy. Elias’ favorite artists are Andre 3000, MF Doom, pre-808s Kanye West and Tyler, The Creator. He likes L.A. hip-hop, but not L.A. sports teams. The first album he bought was Will Smith’s “Big Willie Style,” which he thinks still sounds great.
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