Chance the Rapper May Abandon His Old Ways, Considers Selling His Debut Album
Chance the Rapper is on top of the world. Not only that, but he's also on the cover of the next issue of Complex Magazine, one of his many recent accomplishments.
During the cover story, the Chicago rapper discusses a plethora of topics, ranging from his music to how having a daughter changed his life forever. As he dives deep into talking about his dual life of being a rapper and a father, he also lets it slide that he's been contemplating selling his work for a change.
While he has built his career following the path of an independent artist and releasing his music for free via streaming platforms, Chance admits that he's opening up to the idea of going a more traditional route, especially now that he has built up his platform to the level he has.
"I might actually sell this album," he shares with Complex. "That's like, a big step in itself."
From there he explains why, and part of it has to do with a feeling we all can relate to — FOMO, an acronym for "fear of missing out."
"I kind of hate the fact that I can't chart, really," he continues. "I can chart, but the way they have the stream s**t set up is weak as f**k. It's unfair. And, you know, I don't know if it's, it's like 1,500 or 1,700 streams is the equivalent to one unit, and that's just, you know, that's unfair. Nobody listens to their songs 1,700 times when they buy it, f**k outta here. So, it makes it hard. I can't really — I can't compete with other people. Not that the charts matters at all, but like, come on."
He continues to let the idea of having his project be made available for sale marinate, and it sounds like he may have his mind made up already. That is, when he gets back into "album mode" again.
"I think having it for purchase would be dope," he concluded. "Also, I'm talking about... this is all like, hypothetical. There is no album. I don't have something sitting... I can feel, like, fans squirming in their chair like, 'Oh s**t, he's changing!' This is an idea."
However, despite toying with the idea of having his music available for sale, he remains firm on his choice to remain an independent artist.
Take a look at Complex's in-depth cover story here and check out the accompanying video feature below.