'''{{Proper name|Chancelor}} Bennett''' (born April 16, 1993), better known by his [[stage name]] '''Chance the Rapper''', is an American [[hip hop music|hip hop]] recording artist from the [[Chatham, Chicago|Chatham]] neighborhood of [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Weiss|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18105-chance-the-rapper-acid-rap/|title=Chance the Rapper: Acid Rap|publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]|date=May 7, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, he began to gain major recognition following the release of his second mixtape ''[[Acid Rap]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Alexis|first=Nadeska|title=Chance The Rapper Remembers Talking White And Fighting Black On Acid Rap|newspaper=MTV|date=14 May 2013|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1707326/chance-the-rapper-acid-rap-mixtape.jhtml|accessdate=16 May 2013}}</ref> Chance is also a member of the Chicago collective SAVEMONEY with frequent collaborator [[Vic Mensa]] and lead vocalist for the band The Social Experiment.
==Life and career==
===1993–2010: Early life===
Chance grew up the older of two brothers in the middle-class neighborhood of West Chatham, an oasis in Chicago's otherwise rough South Side. His dad, Ken Williams-Bennett, was a prominent presence in the city: He first served as an aide to former Chicago mayor Harold Washington and then worked for then-U.S. senator Barack Obama. Williams-Bennett, who is now a regional representative to the U.S. Secretary of Labor, dreamed that his son might one day hold office. But Chance was always more interested in the arts, performing in talent shows from his pre-school days through high school at Chicago's esteemed Jones College Prep. Chance showed interests in music at a young age, and in his freshman year of high school at Chicago's [[Jones College Prep High School]], formed the hip-hop duo Instrumentality with a friend.<ref>[http://fatbuddhastore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/music-monday-chance-rapper.html Chance the Rapper] Fat Buddha Store - Music Monday</ref> He mentioned in an interview that fellow Chicago native [[Kanye West]]'s 2004 debut album ''[[The College Dropout]]'' was the first hip-hop album that he ever purchased and listened to, previously being into soul and jazz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/chance-the-rapper-acid-rap/|title=Chance the Rapper Drops Acid|work=Interview Magazine|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref>
===2011–12: Career beginnings and ''10 Day''===
At Jones College Prep High School, some of his teachers ridiculed his aspirations to become a musician.<ref>{{cite web|title=South By Southwest Biography|url=http://schedule.sxsw.com/2013/events/event_MS20965}}</ref> Following a 10-day suspension in early 2011 during his senior year "for weed related activities", Bennett recorded his first full-length project, a [[mixtape]] titled ''10 Day''.<ref name="xxl">{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/09/chance-the-rapper-talks-childish-gambino-cosign-signing-to-caa-and-new-mixtape/|title=Chance The Rapper Talks Childish Gambino Cosign, Signing to CAA and New Mixtape|work=XXL|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> In December 2011, he released a song titled "Windows", and publicly announced his ''10 Day'' project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fakeshoredrive.com/2011/12/chance-the-rapper-windows.html/|title=Chance The Rapper - Windows - Fake Shore Drive|work=Fake Shore Drive|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> After the song's release, in February 2012, Bennett was highlighted as one of ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' magazine's "10 New Chicago Rappers to Watch Out For."<ref>{{cite web|title=Complex 10 New Chicago Rappers to Watch Out For|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/10-new-chicago-rappers-to-watch-out-for/|publisher=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]}}</ref> Bennett says he spent about eight months recording, writing and making connections off of the hunger to put out something.<ref name="xxl"/> After about a year’s time of working on the tape, Bennett released it on April 3, 2012 and it has since been downloaded over 300,000 times via [[DatPiff|Datpiff]].<ref name="xxl"/><ref>{{cite web|title=10 Day Mixtape|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Chance-The-Rapper-10-Day-mixtape.337986.html}}</ref> The mixtape was well received locally and would help Bennett make connections with producers such as [[Chuck Inglish]], Kenny Jame$ and Blended Babies.<ref name="xxl"/> The mixtape would also grab the attention of ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, which featured it in the publication's Cheap Tunes column.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/leorgalil/2012/04/11/cheap-tunes-chance-the-rappers-10day/|title=Cheap Tunes: Chance The Rapper's '10Day'|author=Leor Galil|date=11 April 2012|work=Forbes|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> Prior to writing and recording 10 Day, Chance The Rapper recorded the mixtape "Good Enough" and "The Back to School Pack EP" respectively.
In July 2012, Bennett appeared on American rapper [[Childish Gambino]]'s sixth mixtape ''[[Royalty (mixtape)|Royalty]]'', on the track "They Don't Like Me". Gambino would then ask Bennett to join his 2012 [[concert tour]] of North America, as his [[opening act]].<ref name="xxl"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ishootshows.com/2012/06/10/photos-chance-the-rapper-the-pageant-camp-tour/|title=Photos: Chance The Rapper Opening For Childish Gambino, CAMP Tour 2012|author=Todd|work=ishootshows.com|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/indies/1560132/how-20-year-old-chance-the-rapper-has-nearly-every-major-label|title=How 20-Year Old Chance The Rapper Has Nearly Every Major Label Chasing Him|date=1 May 2013|work=Billboard|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref>
===2013–present: ''Acid Rap'' and major recognition ===
Chance released his second mixtape ''[[Acid Rap (mixtape)|Acid Rap]]'', on April 30, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|first=Evan|last=Rytlewski|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/chance-the-rapper-acid-rap,97671/|title=Chance The Rapper: Acid Rap|publisher=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=May 14, 2013}}</ref>
On [[DatPiff]] it has been certified double platinum after being downloaded over 900,000 times.<ref>{{cite web|title=Acid Rap|url=http://www.datpiff.com/Chance-The-Rapper-Acid-Rap-mixtape.483826.html}}</ref> The mixtape features [[guest appearance]]s from [[Twista]], [[Vic Mensa]], [[BJ the Chicago Kid]], [[Action Bronson]], [[Childish Gambino]] and [[Ab-Soul]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Erin|last=Brady|url=http://www.cmj.com/reviews/chance-the-rapper-acid-rap/|title=Review: Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap|publisher=[[CMJ]]|date=May 8, 2013}}</ref> ''Acid Rap'' was strongly praised by music critics and fans alike.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18105-chance-the-rapper-acid-rap/|title=Chance the Rapper|work=Pitchfork|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> At [[Metacritic]], the mixtape received an average score of 86, based on 21 critics, which indicates "universal acclaim."<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url="http://www.metacritic.com/music/acid-rap/chance-the-rapper/critic-reviews"|title=Critic Reviews for Acid Rap}}</ref> It was also nominated for Best Mixtape at the 2013 [[BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/bet-award-2013-nominees|title=Here Are The BET Award Nominees|author=Alex Russell|date=23 August 2013|work=Complex|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref>
On May 6, 2013, after previously being featured as the [[hidden track]] on ''Acid Rap,'' a song titled "Paranoia", produced by [[Nosaj Thing]], was released as a contribution to Yours Truly and [[Adidas]] originals "Songs from Scratch" series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yourstru.ly/videos/2013/05/06/chance-the-rapper-and-nosaj-thing-songs-from-scratch/|title=Yours Truly|publisher=|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> In June 2013, Bennett was featured in a commercial for [[MySpace]] as part of their relaunch, alongside fellow American rappers [[Mac Miller]], [[Pharrell]] and [[Schoolboy Q]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fakeshoredrive.com/2013/06/video-chance-the-rapper-featured-in-new-myspace-commercial.html/|title=Video: Chance The Rapper Featured In New Myspace Commercial|work=Fake Shore Drive|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> In early July 2013, ''Acid Rap'' debuted at number 63 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] due to bootleg downloads on iTunes and Amazon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/5650665/chance-the-rapper-with-acid-rap-mixtape-meets-the|title=Chance the Rapper, with 'Acid Rap' Mixtape, Meets the Legal Black Hole Around Unsigned Artists (From the Magazine)|date=14 August 2013|work=Billboard|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> In August 2013, Bennett performed at the Chicago music festival [[Lollapalooza]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chance The Rapper at Lollapalooza 2013|url=http://lineup.lollapalooza.com/band/chance-the-rapper}}</ref>
''Acid Rap'' was listed on multiple 50 best albums of 2013 lists, including 26th for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2013-20131202/chance-the-rapper-acid-rap-19691231|title=50 Best Albums of 2013|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=June 17, 2014}}</ref> 12th on [[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]'s list,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/9293-the-top-50-albums-of-2013/4/|title=Top 50 Albums of 2013|publisher=Pitchfork|accessdate=June 17, 2014}}</ref> and ranked 4th by ''Complex''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/12/the-50-best-albums-of-2013/chance-the-rapper-acid-rap|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2013|publisher=Complex|accessdate=June 17, 2014}}</ref> It was also listed as one of [[NPR Music]]'s 50 Favorite Albums Of 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/bestmusic2013/2013/12/10/249243871/npr-musics-50-favorite-albums-of-2013|title=NPR Music's 50 Favorite Albums Of 2013|publisher=[[NPR Music]]|date=December 10, 2013|accessdate=June 18, 2014}}</ref>
Chance embarked on his ''Social Experiment Tour'', in [[Champaign, Illinois]] on October 25, 2013, lasting until December 19, 2013.<ref>http://chanceraps.com/tour/</ref><ref>http://static.squarespace.com/static/5105d89ee4b0869f6416d903/t/52474ce8e4b0b4dd6e2410b2/1380404472496/Social%20Experiment%20Tour.jpg?format=1000w</ref> He was also a featured artist on a track on Childish Gambino's album ''[[Because the Internet]]'', which was released on December 6, 2013.
In March 2014, Bennett appeared in a shoppable online video for [[Dockers (brand)|Dockers]], promoting the brand's spring line, in which Bennett talks his style, love for creating music, and how it feels to live in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2014/03/28/chance-rapper-x-dockers-spring-2014-shoppable-video/|title=Chance The Rapper x Dockers Spring 2014 Shoppable Video|work=BallerStatus.com|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hypetrak.com/2014/03/chance-the-rapper-dockers-pair-up-for-shoppable/|title=Chance The Rapper & Dockers Pair Up For Shoppable Video & Interview|work=HYPETRAK|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freshnessmag.com/2014/03/28/chance-rapper-x-dockers-shoppable-video/|title=Chance The Rapper x Dockers - Shoppable Video - FreshnessMag.com|work=Freshness Mag|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> On May 5, 2014, ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' revealed Bennett was included in their annual freshman class, alongside fellow up-and-comers [[Isaiah Rashad]], [[Ty Dolla $ign]], [[Rich Homie Quan]], [[Vic Mensa]], [[August Alsina]], [[Troy Ave]], [[Kevin Gates]], [[Lil Bibby]], [[Jon Connor]], [[Lil Durk]] and [[Jarren Benton]].<ref>http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/05/xxl-freshmen-2014-cover-revealed/</ref> During Fall 2014, Bennett and other artists participated in Verge Campus tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/09/chance-the-rapper-to-headline-the-2014-verge-campus-fall-tour|title=Chance The Rapper to Headline the 2014 Verge Campus Fall Tour - Complex|author=Zach Frydenlund|date=2 September 2014|work=Complex|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref> In November 2014, Bennett was presented Chicago's "Outstanding Youth of the Year Award" by Mayor [[Rahm Emanuel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/57377-chance-the-rapper-receives-chicagos-outstanding-youth-of-the-year-award-from-mayor-rahm-emanuel/|title=Chance the Rapper Receives Chicago's Outstanding Youth of the Year Award From Mayor Rahm Emanuel|author=Evan Minsker|date=9 November 2014|work=Pitchfork|accessdate=30 November 2014}}</ref> In January 2015, Bennett was listed #7 on the "Forbes 30 Under 30" 2015 music list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/30under30/#/music/|title=Forbes' 30 Under 30 2015: Music|author=Zack O'Malley Greenburg, Natalie Robehmed|date=5 January 2015|work=Forbes.com|accessdate=6 January 2015}}</ref> In March 2015, Bennett released a short film called Mr. Happy directed by Colin Tilley. Mr. Happy centers around the main character, Victor, who is struggling with depression and attempting to commit suicide. After many failed attempts to kill himself, he discovers Mr. Happy. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theblenderwmuc.com/chance-rapper-stars-mr-happy/|title=Chance the Rapper Stars in “Mr. Happy”|work=TheBlenderWmuc.com|accessdate=2 April 2015}}</ref>
==Artistry==
===Influences===
Chancelor has stated in interviews with [[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] & [[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] that [[Kanye West]], [[James Brown]], [[MC Hammer]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Lupe Fiasco]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[Eminem]], [[Souls of Mischief]] & [[Freestyle Fellowship]] have influenced him as well.<ref name="xxlmag.com"/>
===Musical style===
Bennett is known for his highly syncopated and complex flow patterns, his fusing of rapped and sung vocals, and his accomplished lyricism that tackles personal growth, highly symbolic storytelling and political and social criticism as well as frequently referencing recreational drugs like [[lysergic acid diethylamide|LSD]] and [[marijuana]]. Instrumentally, his music is influenced by hip hop, [[acid jazz]], [[Soul music|soul]], and [[blues]] .
==Discography==
{{main|Chance the Rapper discography}}
* ''10 Day'' (2012)
* ''[[Acid Rap]]'' (2013)
* ''Surf'' (2015) <small>(with Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment)</small>
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! colspan="3" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Television
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year
! Film
! Role
|-
| 2014
|''[[Black Dynamite (TV series)|Black Dynamite]]''
| Bob Marley
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! colspan="3" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Short Films
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
|-
|2015
|Mr.Happy
|Victor
|}