Chance The rapper hasn’t released an album in two years, and he wants his next one to be something special.
Chance has been busy collaborating with artists of all disciplines for his upcoming album “Star Line Gallery.”
In an interview with Complex, he revealed that his perspective on life and music had shifted dramatically since the release of his debut album “The Big Day” in 2019.
He stated:
“They don’t tell the complete story of who you are, but they show who you are at that moment.
You’ll like it or you won’t like it, but next year, you’ll come back and take another one anyway.”
Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, aka Chance The Rapper, was born and raised in Chicago. He prefers to live simply, focusing on his family and culture rather than the flashier aspects of life.
“Star Line Gallery” may appear to be an odd name, given that the 29-year-old rapper is not even a fan of galleries, according to Complex.
He stated:
“I was inspired by Marcus Garvey in the early 1900s, 1919 through actually 1922, so 100 years ago now.”
He explained that the shipping line was founded by Garvey, a Jamaican activist, journalist, and entrepreneur:
“He created a trade route between the United States, all of the Black islands and the continent of Africa, and that created a network of people where people from all over the world were interconnected and working with each other and taking trips together.”
So Chance’s vision for “Star Line Gallery” began. He compared art galleries to the current music industry, observing that artists are treated more like employees than creators.
As a result, his vision and goal for the album were formed. He shared:
“It’s going to be all Black artists from everywhere around the world with all different experiences, but a connection, and in conversation with me and my collaborators to create new pieces that show what it means to be Black right now.”
He said the album will focus on “what is real,” rather than “trauma or the most familiar aesthetic of Black.”
The rapper wanted to leave a lasting legacy by releasing this album.
“I always wanted to be the first, but I never wanted to be the last.”
The “Cocoa BUtter Kisses” rapper said the album would go through a more rigorous process than simply having people collaborate with him.
He added:
“This is me developing myself and developing my people.”
He said that it is not enough to make music simply; it is also necessary to continue to form and build bridges through understanding and conversation.
“[…] It’s fraud if I don’t maintain connection and collaboration with those people.”