It was a moment to celebrate a part of black culture that rarely gets its props in the mainstream.
Chance the Rapper thanked God like a trillion times in his acceptance speech for Best New Artist at Sunday night’s Grammys. Then he took the Grammys to church with a passionate, gospel-filled performance that featured a poppin’ choir, Kirk Franklin, and Tamela Mann. It was a rousing, meaningful on-stage moment for the 23-year-old Chicago rapper, who won his first three Grammy awards that evening with no record sales.
Performing a medley of “How Great,” “All We Got” and “No Problem” from his groundbreaking album “Coloring Book,” Chance was playing no games. The show was slowly creeping into its third hour, but the rapper was was not only brimming with energy, he was demanding it of the audience, too.
CHANCE THE RAPPER IS THE TALK OF HIP-HOP NOW BEING HE TOOK HOME 3 GRAMMY AWARDS ON FEBRUARY 12, 2017.
The Chicago hip-hop artist won awards for Best Rap Performance (“No Problems” Ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz), Best New Artist, and Best Rap Album (for his streaming-only mixtape Coloring Book).
With all that being said, Chance has been a hot topic in the Christian hip-hop community at least since his proclamation that he is leaving his old life and putting faith in Jesus Christ.
(Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images)
Last July, Chance the Rapper headlined Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. It was a coronation of sorts, the hometown hero making good. In three short years, Chance had gone from favored child of the city’s thriving independent hip-hop scene to a major festival headliner, all on the strength of two free mixtapes and a collaborative album with his influence all over it.
His set, fittingly, was a thrilling tribute to Chicago; he bopped, he juked, he brought out the Chicago Bucket Boys.
"I think people will be pleasantly surprised," he said. "Some people are like, ‘Ah, I like Rebel. Go back to that.’ I will never try to make another Rebel because Rebel is Rebel. Let it be what it is. But I think some of those people who love that album will appreciate this album, just because of some of the content that’s in it."
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