Many people know him by one name: Chance.
A three-time Grammy winner with deep Chicago roots, Chance the Rapper is known for his activism against Chicago’s gun violence and advocacy for Chicago’s public school kids.
NBC Chicago’s Natalie Martinez sat down for a chat with none other than Chance himself to discuss his place in Chicago’s rich Black history.
Some call him Chano or his given name – Chancellor Bennett – but most know him as Chance the Rapper.
Winning three Grammys and achieving more than seven top-charting hits, he’s one of the most successful independent artists to ever pick up a microphone – despite never signing with a major record label – in order to maintain full creative control.
“Coloring Book,” which he released in 2016, became the first streaming-only project to win a Grammy.
“It’s become a beacon for a lot of people to see that it could be done a certain way,” Chance the Rapper said.
In 2015, he became the first independent artist to perform on “Saturday Night Live” as the featured musical guest.
He’s performed three times since then, regularly weaving gospel influences into his rap and hip-hop music.
In 2023, Chance the Rapper shared his talents with hopefuls on “The Voice.”
“You’re on the shoulders of giants coming after people like Mahalia Jackson, Frankie Knuckles and so many who got their start here,” he said. “You want to continue to create space for artists to create space, community in music making and just make good music.”
His journey began at Skinner Elementary School in the West Loop and then Jones College Prep.
Chance the Rapper made his first mixtape while on suspension from high school; it was appropriately called “10 Day” for the number of days he was out of school.
His latest project is called “star line”- symbolizing the “Black Star Line shipping operation,” reconnecting Black diaspora.
“It was one of the first spaces where Black folks could control trade,” Chance the Rapper said. “It’s largely symbolic but real finite movement.”
Activism and politics run in his veins.
His father, Ken, served as state director under Senator Barack Obama and later as Deputy Assistant to President Obama.
Chance the Rapper was an intern during the presidential campaign.
“Folks in my family, always part of the movement,” he said. “My grandmother used to organized. My great-grandmother marched with King. Dad was politically active since before I was born.”
The father of two girls, Chance the Rapper founded Chicago-based nonprofit “Social Works.”
“We do everything from coat drives, to warming centers, to a big night at the museum right before Christmas.
The organization has raised over $12 million for Chicago Public Schools in the past six years.
He knew from a young age this was the life for him.
“My graduation from preschool in the program I had an entire section that was carved out for me to do a Michael Jackson impression,” the artist recalled. “I was respected in the MJ impersonation game.”
And that was when he was around 3 and 4 years old.
Chance the Rapper started writing poetry in fourth grade, which grew into a profound love for rap and hip hop. He describes himself as a once-in-a-generation writer that loves Jesus and also likes to have fun sometimes.
“When I was a kid I had illusions of grandeur,” he said. “For sure. I know what’s finna happen.”
Just last month, Chance the Rapper rang in 2026 from Chicago’s Riverwalk to the rest of the nation.
It was a historic celebration confirming him as Chicago’s Reining Music Man.
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