Chance's breakthrough is mixtape of the summer

For anyone concerned about Chicago’s local rap scene following Chief Keef’s sudden rise to stardom last year, Chance the Rapper will likely restore faith in the Windy City’s talent pool. Acid Rap is truly a career-making mixtape, and establishes Chance as the most impressive Chicago MC since Lupe Fiasco.

Chance’s rhymes range from socially conscious topics to drug abuse and romance. The album open with the aptly titled “Good Ass Intro,” which begins with Chance flexing his lyrical dexterity, rapping in a high pitched voice that sounds like some weird crossbreeding of Danny Brown and Lil Wayne. Chance’s lyrical assault is framed by one of the tape’s most chaotic beats, and is assisted with a soulful horn section by fellow Chicago group Kids These Days. For anyone interested in Chance, this is easily the best place to start.

The track “Pusha Man” sounds like an outtake from Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid m.a.a.d. City, with Chance rhyming about the disturbing violence in Chicago’s streets. “They murder kids here. Why you think they don’t talk about it? They deserted us here … Down here it’s easier to find a gun than it is to find a ****** parking spot,” Chance rhymes. These are bold lines coming from a 20-year-old rapper, and when spit above the song’s desolate beat, the words pack a lasting punch.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Chance though, as most of the songs on Acid Rap are catchy and will sound great bumping out of car stereos all summer. The mixtape’s most memorable song, “Cocoa Butter Kisses”, is pure pop bliss. If any song off this tape will blow up in popularity, you can expect it to be this. The song has a bubblegum hook that was made for pop radio, but Chance’s sincere vocals keep the song from becoming grating.

Later, the standout, “Chain Smoker” finds Chance at his very best, rapping and singing with a passion that is rarely seen in the mainstream. Chance actually sings on the majority of the songs, oftentimes with a faux-Wyclef, Rastafarian singing voice. His unusual croon might be too whiney for some, but Chance shows some surprising vocal chops on Acid Rap, especially on the tender “Lost”.

Acid Rap also benefits from a bevy of great guest rappers. Chicago legend Twista shows up for a spirited verse on “Cocoa Butter Kisses”, and Childish Gambino is the perfect accomplice on “Favorite Song”. Elsewhere, Action Bronson drops hilarious quotables on the otherwise forgettable “NaNa”. Not every collaboration works though, like “Smoke Again”, which might go down as one of Ab-Soul’s worst verses.

Ultimately, Acid Rap works because of Chance the Rapper’s utter sincerity behind the mic. The tape’s final track begins with a phone conversation between Chance and his father who provides Chance with support and love. It’s a touching moment that caps off an emotionally engaging tape. Chance himself claims, “There ain’t nothing better than falling in love.” After a few listens with this tape, you’ll have a hard time not falling in love with Chance yourself.

By Bronson DeLeon