Chance the Rapper Reflects on Life Changes and Global Journeys Shaping His New Album

## Chance’s Journey and Artistic Evolution

Chance opens up about his transformative journey, stating, “Going to Ghana, reconnecting with a lot of my family, going through relationships changing, getting divorced — there’s a lot of things that happened between my last project and this day.” This reflection sets a poignant backdrop for his latest album, *Star Line*.

### Global Influences

While Chicago remains a significant influence in Chance’s music, his experiences in places like Ghana, Jamaica, New Orleans, Atlanta, Houston, Washington D.C., and New York City have shaped his sound as well. He notes, “There’s a lot of other region sounds” on *Star Line*, emphasizing that the album’s production is rooted in the Black music that has inspired him throughout his life.

### Advice from a Comedian

Amidst personal changes, Chance reveals that comedian Dave Chappelle offered valuable advice regarding artistic endeavors. Chappelle likens albums and stand-up specials to “yearbook photos,” suggesting they represent a snapshot of who you are at that moment. Chance appreciates the cyclical nature of this process, recognizing the importance of documenting those feelings.

### Insights on Public Pressure and Musical Themes

In a deeper exploration of his work, Chance praises Doechii’s performance at Lollapalooza. He reflects on the challenges of managing public perception and delves into his recent single, “Tree.” This track features a significant sample from India.Arie and encapsulates many themes present in *Star Line*.

He elaborates, “Within the context of the album, it’s a really important song. Because obviously, on the surface, it’s a weed song. But really, it’s about the inequities of the cannabis industry and using that as a metaphor for the inequalities in agriculture.” He laments that Black individuals often lack ownership in many sectors, especially in farming, where Black farmers face considerable obstacles. He asserts, “The song, for me, was very expressive and very uncensored, but still fun, still inclusive.”

What are your thoughts on the themes presented in Chance’s latest work?