Essay Sample on Chance the Rapper: Examining Hip-Hop's Optimism in the Finish Line/Drown

Introduction

Hip-hop genre is deeply rooted in the African-American culture that evolved from the musical realms of jazz, hymns, and blues. A song I have chosen for the analysis is hip-hop music by Chance the Rapper titled the Finish Line/ Drown. The song is from Chance the Rapper 2016 mixtape referred to as the Coloring Book. He is among the few young artists of the current era, releasing music that is thoughtful, nostalgic, and intelligent. From the song, it shows that the artist is optimistic even while facing the lingering dark reality and pain of his Southside hometown in Chicago. The following paper will explore the song Finish Line by Chance the Rapper to comprehend the important message the artist is conveying to highlight on the issues facing his community and how he has established himself as an independent artist.

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After coming to the spotlight, Chance the Rapper has released music with a deeper message that is heavily influenced by gospel genre. The song Finish Line contains Christian allusions in the lyrics. Also, it is composed of a religious undertone that is fused with percussive elements used in hip-hop accompanied by vocal and harmonic aspects that shows a unique level of artistry (Knox 9). The song has two-part that features a rapper Noname, Kirk Franklin who is a gospel artist, and R&B artists Eryn Allen Kane and T-Pain. The first line of Chance the Rapper verse, he highlights that taxes are not taught in school (Bennett). The lyric shows that he is interested in the welfare of students in the American education system by highlighting the need to teach about taxation at school to prepare the learners for their working years.

Chance the Rapper raps on how he got addicted to Xanax in the previous year. The cultural commentary on the lyric shows his concern for the current opiate crisis in the U.S. that has negative implications to the society. The artist spout lyrics that are coming to a head in a similar way to a stream of consciousness he portrays in his verses. Further, he adds how he started forgetting his name and missing chance (Bennett). The lyric adds on the negative effect of opiate abuse that individuals undergo in the face of drug abuse. Addressing the issue of drug addiction is a significant aspect in Chance the Rapper lyrics, which is attributed to the shortcomings that young African Americans faces in the inner cities of Southside Chicago.

Chance the Rapper lyrics have a deeper message that aims to spread positivity through the way he expresses his views in theological issues by highlighting the difference between life in the spirit form and the real world. He attempts to reconcile his spiritual joy and earthly struggles, especially for the people closest to his life. The lyric I'm in love with my city, I sleep in my hat (Bennett). It shows that he has the best interest of his neighborhood that is troubled by a nonperforming local government in the inner cities and harsh police force towards the young black male. Therefore, Chance lyrics propel the listener towards a spiritual foray. Therefore, based on the lyrics of the song, it ensures that Chance can offer his listeners familiar, inspiring somber and pride through an experience that transcends beyond the boundaries of music. He offers an assurance on the song that despite the hardships of being an adult, spirituality and a connection to a higher power will offer a person comfort. Chance made the realization, which is buried below his sobering truths and vivid details on being addicted to Xanax and the shootings and killings taking place in the streets of Chicago.

Finish Line is a song that is portrayed by Chance the Rapper impressive evolution of his sound in music and sense of self that has made him realize his true nature. Chance music has been widely influenced by the need to address the rampant shootings in Chicago inner cities of black males that can even take place as they walk in the streets. Subsequently, Chance explores on the inequity, systematic, and intentional denial of justice towards black individuals in the poor neighborhoods. He applies escapism to act as a coping mechanism that is critical in dealing with emotional and physical pain. Thus, for Chance dreaming is more like traveling through time that allows him to act in a certain manner. Therefore, Chance has allowed himself to think about anything and express in his music, which offers him the freedom to be unconscious of thoughts.

Chance the Rapper is an influential artist to other musicians, especially the upcoming young artists from the inner neighborhood across Chicago. Chance established himself as an independent and outstanding artist not requiring backing from a widely recognized record label. From the first mixtape, together with his retinue, he has been releasing his music under Chance the Rapper LLC (Payne). It had allowed him to utilize a few techniques that inspire other artists to follow suit. He was able to establish value for his music by offering free products, maintaining his relationship with his long-time friends from his neighborhood and strong understanding of the notion of scarcity marketing. The methods have made Chance the Rapper to gain massive recognition across the country by people that appreciate his form of music. Another influencing aspect of Chance the Rapper is releasing free add value music on his mixtapes.

The objective of Chance releasing mixtapes is to ensure that he is not involved in executive input about the tracks that will be recorded, the producers working for the project and determining the song that will be the lead single (Payne). Therefore, Chance brought over influence to other musicians on the value that is accompanied by quality music, which enhances his credibility with the fans. Hence, he has been able to set the trend in the record business model of signing new musicians and realizing their mixtapes. In the song, Chance recited that due to his independent statute labels were not willing to clear the songs for collaboration as they said to own the friends he was hoping to work along on before releasing the mixtape.

Conclusion

In conclusion, from the moment Chance, the Rapper released his first mixtape in 2013, his songs have been massive in the industry. Finish Line is among the longest songs in his third mixtape, and it has a deep message that will inspire and change a life. As an independent artist not backed by a major record label, Chance the Rapper has made significant strides in his career.

Work Cited

Bennett, C.J. Finish Line/Drown. YouTube, Featuring T-Pain, Noname and Kane, E.A, May 13, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAAKG57ouyM.

Knox, Grant. "Closing the Gap: An Analysis of the Musical Elements Contributing to Hip-Hop's Emergence into Popular Culture (2017). Scholars Week. 2. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f768/48471d02a94dd53c3d5efebcf64583613820.pdf

Payne, Ogden. "Three Marketing Takeaways From Chance The Rapper's 'Coloring Book' Roll-Out." Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 28 July 2016, www.forbes.com/sites/ogdenpayne/2016/05/30/three-marketing-takeaways-from-chance-the-rappers-coloring-book-roll-out/#60a24209e5e1.