In this day and age of rap music, positivity may seem corny or out of place. Most people enjoy hip-hop the same way they play Grand Theft Auto. Maybe it’s a release. Maybe it’s a way to unwind and let out all the built-up stress from the day-to-day grind. But something about listening to Schoolboy Q rap about selling narcotics and stepping his dollars up to Bill Gates or virtually mugging somebody and taking their money in a video game is fun for most people. This thought-process has become the norm in a lot of ways.

Well, a breath of fresh air has been bestowed upon us, and it comes in the form of a “Coloring Book.”
Themes about positivity and chasing your dreams are embedded in many different albums by many different artists. From Logic’s “Peace, Love and Positivity” motto to Meek Mill’s “Dreamchasers” label, an inspirational message can be found on nearly every level throughout the spectrum of rap. However, not many do it the same as Chance the Rapper.

I think it’s time to take a step back and analyze how Chance has stuck to his guns and how he could change, not only the rap game, but also music forever.

First and foremost, Chance the Rapper has put out three solo projects and one collective project in conjunction with Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment. All of these projects are free and all have been released independently. So how does an independent artist who released a mixtape during a two-week high school suspension go from being an opening act on Childish Gambino’s tour to being featured on a Kanye West album to releasing one on the most highly anticipated projects of the year? Simple. Staying true to himself, working hard and promoting positivity while living it at the same time.
Chance the Rapper released his debut solo project, “10 Day,” on April 3, 2012. It consisted of 14 songs and not a lot of big-time features, but it definitely laid a solid foundation. He released his second project, “Acid Rap,” on April 30, 2013. This, on the other hand, did include some big features including Childish Gambino, Action Bronson and Ab-Soul, to name a few. “Acid Rap” is the project that truly put Chance on the map. He really started to blow up to the masses after its release. Along with the hype, Chance received some very profound accolades including a nomination for Best Mixtape at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, a performance at Lollapolooza in 2013, a No. 26 ranking on Rolling Stone’s best albums of 2013 and a spot on the 2014 XXL Freshmen List. Chance the Rapper became a household name to the average hip-hop fan.

Chance’s popularity continued to grow and grow, leaving everybody craving a third solo project. That solo project didn’t come, but on May 28, 2015, Chance the Rapper played an integral part in the release of Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment’s “Surf.” The features continued getting bigger and bigger as the group was able to snag J. Cole, Big Sean, B.o.B., Busta Rhymes and Erykah Badu among many others. Chance the Rapper was starting to become one of the most popular artists in hip-hop in 2015. 

But I think it’s safe to say Chance the Rapper’s biggest break came in 2016 when he was featured on Kanye West’s “Ultralight Beam,” the intro to “The Life of Pablo.” I remember when I first heard the song, I thought to myself, “Chance hasn’t put out one song for purchase and now he’s on a Kanye album. He’s really made it.” It felt that Kanye West was passing the torch to Chance the Rapper—one Chicagoan to another. And then I dug into the credits for “The Life of Pablo” a little bit further. Chance has credits on five of the 18 songs, which is a giant role for an independent artist on such a massive album. When it comes down to it, Chance really rubbed off on Kanye. Remember when Kanye tweeted out, “This album is actually a gospel album,” in the sloppiest album rollout in recent memory? Well, Chance flipped that and put out his own version of a gospel rap album with “Coloring Book.” It’s apparent on “Ultralight Beam” and throughout “Coloring Book.” Chance’s positivity and uplifting spirit has influenced the likes of the self-proclaimed rap god, Yeezus.

“Coloring Book” is straight-up beautiful music. It has a plethora of religious references, choir vocals, uplifting beats and positive messages. It’s the type of music that you put on in the morning to ensure a smile will be on your face for the rest of the day. The features continued to get bigger as Chance’s popularity grew. He snagged Kanye West, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Justin Bieber, Future, T-Pain and many others for his third solo project. This man even got Jay Electronic to come out from his cave on “How Great”—which might end up being in contention for song of the year in my book—and assembled a choir consisting of Ty Dolla $ign, Anderson .Paak, Raury, BJ The Chicago Kid and Donnie Trumpet on the second edition of “Blessings.”

When I saw Chance the Rapper perform “Blessings” on Jimmy Fallon, I had a hunch this project was going to be amazing, and on May 13, 2016, it was solidified. It’s crazy to think how far a high school kid with a dream has come just by being himself and speaking what has been on his mind over the years. Chance definitely has a weirdly unique voice and he has perfected the use of it from "Acid Rap" to "Coloring Book."

How is Chance the Rapper changing the music industry? Well, he’s staying true to himself by remaining independent, he’s spreading positivity with his music, he’s strictly putting out free product and he’s petitioning for the GRAMMYs to consider free music.

Under the current rules, “Coloring Book” isn’t eligible for a GRAMMY because the awards company doesn’t recognize “stream only” releases—“Coloring Book” was technically released loosclusivley (loosely/exclusively) through Apple Music. A representative for the Recording Academy said “they’re currently reviewing language submitted to them regarding streaming only projects, and if approved, would make Chance’s “Coloring Book” eligible for this year’s GRAMMY awards,” according to Complex. He also said they should have an official update in late June. The GRAMMYs guidelines say, “Music must be commercially released in general distribution in the United States… Recording must be available for sale from any date within the eligibility period through at least the date of the current year’s voting deadline.”

On “Ultralight Beam,” Chance the Rapper says, “He said let’s do a good a** job with Chance Three. I hear you gotta sell it to snatch the GRAMMY.” This is what I’d like to call positive passive-aggressiveness at its finest. Chance is probably smirking and saying to himself, “I hear you’ve got to release albums for purchase to win a GRAMMY, huh? Well, I’m going to change that.”

“Coloring Book” is GRAMMY-worthy. The message, musical value, production and features are all top-notch. It’s truly a beautiful mix of gospel and rap. There’s even a petition going around, asking the GRAMMYs to change its policy for consideration of free music. It has over 30,000 signatures already, including one by Chance the Rapper, himself. It’s safe to say he’s aware of the matter and is attempting to make this colossal change.

Chance the Rapper and other artists are making positivity in rap the norm. He’s also setting out to make one of the biggest changes in the music industry. We’ll have to wait to see how this one plays out, but Chance is changing hip-hop for the better. 

PHOTOGRAPH: THE FADER

Anticipation was at an all-time high when Drake released his latest LP, “Views,” formerly known as “Views From the 6.” All eyes and ears were on Beats 1 Radio on Thursday, April 28 when Drake said he was going to premiere the album after an interview with Zane Lowe.

It had been about two and a half years since Drake dropped his last true album, “Nothing Was the Same,” and a little over a year since he came out with the mixtape/album, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.”

It’s safe to say the world was ready for some new Drake music, and now that “Views” is finally out, the question is: did it live up to the hype?

Initially, I thought this album was a bit of a disappointment (and it pains me to say that because I really wanted to love this album). It just didn’t have the shock and awe effect that “Nothing Was the Same” or “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” did for me. Drake truly honed his sound on the very emotional rap/sung mixed “Nothing Was the Same” and then he tried to regain some of his street cred back on “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.” It also helped the shock and awe factor when Drake dropped the mixtape/album unannounced overnight. But when I first listened to “Views,” it didn’t hit me the same way.

On the scales of rap/R&B, “Views” tips a little more toward R&B, and it starts right off the bat with “Keep the Family Close.” I don’t know if I was hoping for an intro more like “Tuscan Leather” or what, but this song didn’t hit me in the face, initially, like I wanted it to. “Feel No Ways,” “Redemption,” “With You,” “Controlla,” “One Dance,” “Too Good,” “Fire & Desire” and “Hotline Bling” all have an R&B vibe, which is fine. But I was kind of hoping for more rap-influenced songs on this highly anticipated album. After my first listen, “Weston Road Flows,” “Views,” “Still Here” and “Hype” were my favorites just because they were more rap-heavy.

I read a tweet the night “Views” came out that said J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar’s music feels like it’s made for other people, and Drake’s music sounds like he’s rapping into a mirror. On the surface, this sums up “Views” in one sentence.

But then I dug a little deeper into the music. After 4-5 listens, “Views” really started to grow on me. All of the songs are catchy. There are some that put you in your feels and others that make you want to dance. There are some songs that make you want to call your current or former significant other and there are others that make you want to celebrate life because summer is coming up.

This is an album that grows on you. It’s not a concept album. It’s not really that cohesive. But it’s great music to vibe out to. Before the album dropped, Drake’s producer 40 said, “[Drake]’s discovering new flows, new cadences and new patterns.” I think that is a perfect way to sum it up. It’s highlighted on songs like, “9” when Drake switches up his rap flow to sing, “Keychain go jang-a-lang. I wanna do major things. MJ in every way; I just don’t fade away.” He also finds a Big Sean-esque flow on “Hype” when he says, “I don’t take this s*** for granted. I do my own propaganda. I feel like Juelz Santana. Leg hangin’ out the Phantom…” I also love the passion toward the end of “U With Me?” Drake has perfected the mesh between his singing and his rap skills, and he continues to tell his story, his way. We really do get a glimpse of The 6 on this album.

Another question that gets thrown around a lot is: has Drake released a classic album?
In my opinion, “Nothing Was the Same” is Drake’s closest piece of work to a classic album. “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” really showed his versatility and “Take Care” had the hits and won the Grammy, but something about “Nothing Was the Same” did it for me. I know it’s too early to tell if “Views” will go down as a classic, but after about a week, it has already grown on me quite a bit and it will only continue to grow. So, there is hope for “Views.”

I think “Views” will be remembered for its amazing production and the mark it left as an OVO-heavy project. It won’t move Drake any closer to “best rapper” category, but it will have its place in pop culture for the near future. I even find myself saying “ting” here and there now.

Another thing I want to point out is the contradiction in tones and release dates from “Views” and “Nothing Was the Same.” “Views” definitely has its dark moments, especially during what I like to call the random “sounds of the 6” at the end of nearly every song, yet it came out at the end of April in order for it to be a summer album. Even the album and the booklet include pictures with dark tones and colors. On the other side, “Nothing Was the Same” was released in September of 2013 and was meant to be an album to “heat up the winter.” On this album cover, Drake’s head is in the clouds, and the music, itself, gives off a much lighter tone, in my opinion. I’d argue that eight out of 20 songs (maybe even more) on “Views” would be considered dark, whereas only five out of 15 songs on “Nothing Was the Same” gave the dark and ominous vibe. Therefore, Drake's summer album is darker than his winter album. I just keep picturing that second teaser trailer whenever I listen to "Views." It’s a very interesting piece of irony Drake has laid out for us.

All in all, “Views” is a very good album. It sold over 600,000 copies in one night and it will continue to skyrocket in sales and on the charts. Whether it will go down as Drake’s classic album is yet to be seen, but the production is great, the music is beautiful, the lyrics are decent and emotions run heavy.
There’s no denying that Drake is one of the best artists out right now. He really does have the Midas touch and he’s in his own lane. “Views” just adds to all of that which is Drake. 

THE DON'S GRADE: B (will probably grow into a B+)