Welcome all Chano fans alike to the first Acid Rap Anniversary feature! I'm going to start off exactly where you think it would: Chance's five best bars from the album. We thank you for chiming in on the forums about the picks and helping us fill in the gaps! We still encourage anybody who has their own picks to comment below and share their opinions. Without further adieu, we bring you into the mind of Chance the Rapper!
Everybody's SomethingWhat’s good, good? And what’s good, evil?
And what’s good, gangstas? And what’s good, people?
And whys God’s phone die every time that I call on Him?
If his son had a Twitter wonder if I would follow himSafe to say Chance dabbles between spectrums. We all meet the good and bad in life everyday, and for Chance those are the gangstas and the people. Chance connects those between what he knows in Chicago, and even how his religion plays into it all
Chance has always had to call on God, but it seems sometimes he feel's truly alone. The struggle of mortality in Chano's mind is one everyone has. Will they be good or evil, do what they have to do to survive? A questioning of faith also joins the fray, pinpointing an everyday life, and the inner goal of the song, how even though these happen everybody's still something
Smoke AgainLean all on the square
That’s a fuckin' rhombusChano just wanna smoke. While he can give us something so simple about his daily life he can also make it one of the most complex bars on the project. Chance may not have enjoyed classes, but he sure must have learned from them. He makes a bar that even high schoolers can appreciate given his childlike nature. With this bar and the whole song, Chance gives us the party side in his own quirky nature, even more diversity
ParanoiaThey murking kids; they murder kids here
Why you think they don’t talk about it? They deserted us here
Where the fuck is Matt Lauer at? Somebody get Katie Couric in here
Probably scared of all the refugees; look like we had a fuckin' hurricane here.We all known the nickname for Chicago. Except to people from the Windy City, it isn't a nickname, it's life. Chance not only delivers Chicago knowledge, he almost is delivering a cry for help in ways. The situation is so overlooked, many people might forget the murder rate went down. There is no focus on one of the top problems in America even though it involves the worst things
None of this is new to Chano, but it is to us. In many ways, not only is this a cry for help but his attempt at bringing light onto the subject from his audience. He gives us enlightenment through his music on topics we wouldn't think or fathom about. We all have a connection when we see injustice in the world as human beings
That's Love (Interlude)What's better than paper is ballin' it up
What's better than followers is actually fallin' in love
What's better than frolicking, follies, fallin' in mud
Rolling in green pastures, wanderin', followin' loveWhile Chance has an array of emotions, the concept of love is rarely touched on, but pushed just enough on the interlude, "That's Love". Chance is verrry nostalgic and he shows a very "Hey Ma" side to himself here. He understands at this point it's not what society thinks matters, such as pushing out records and being famous, it's about finding what makes YOU happy. That's what matters
At the end of the day, Chance would rather be with his fam and his loved ones chasing down their dreams and happiness. Getting lost in the simple things, and stuff we did as kids. That, is truly love
Acid RainCigarette stained smile all covered in sin
My big homie died young; just turned older than him
I seen it happen, I seen it happen, I see it always
He still be screaming, I see his demons in empty hallwaysWe all know Chance is a smoker, and his religious beliefs come up at various points in the album, but are really highlighted here. The Chi town violence is common for the youth, but in these lines Chance still can't get over the death of Rodney, his childhood friend who was stabbed to death in front of him
When Chance was picked up, he still had the blood on his shirt, the demons of that night. Chance can go crazy in his tracks, but every man has his own story, and none is ever perfect. Not only does this line showcase Chance's life story, it also helps connect to the listener as death is only promised in life
Thank you guys for helping us make these selections and your support for this feature! Make sure to check out the rest of the anniversary specials and bump Acid Rap like it's 1992! Enjoy, Comment, and Peace!
