Chance the Rapper
A Chicago-born artist who reshaped the music industry by building a massive following and winning Grammys without ever signing a record deal.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American rapper·Birthday: April 16·Millennials
Biography
Chancelor Bennett, operating as Chance the Rapper, emerged from Chicago's South Side with a sound that was both jubilant and introspective. His 2013 mixtape 'Acid Rap' was a lightning bolt, blending soul, gospel, and hip-hop with a voice that crackled with youthful energy and anxiety. He doubled down on his independence, refusing major label contracts and instead releasing music directly to fans, a move considered risky at the time. His 2016 project 'Coloring Book,' a vibrant gospel-rap fusion, broke the Recording Academy's rules to win a Grammy as a streaming-only release, proving the commercial and critical power of the DIY model. Beyond music, he has funneled his influence and wealth back into Chicago, funding public schools and advocating for social justice, cementing his role as a civic figure as much as a musical one.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chance was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chance Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Chance's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three Grammy Awards in 2017 for his streaming-only mixtape 'Coloring Book,' a first for a release not sold commercially.
- Gained massive critical and commercial success with his 2013 mixtape 'Acid Rap,' which helped redefine Chicago's hip-hop landscape.
- Founded the SocialWorks initiative, which has raised millions of dollars for Chicago public schools and youth arts programs.
- Was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2017.
Did You Know?
He is the first independent artist to perform on 'Saturday Night Live' without having a commercially available album.
His father, Ken Bennett, worked as an aide to former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel.
He voiced the character of Bob Marley in the 2018 animated film 'The Bob Marley Story: Caribbean Tales.'
He married his longtime partner, Kirsten Corley, in a ceremony officiated by the pastor of his childhood church.
“I think I'm the best rapper. And I think if you're not saying you're the best rapper, then you're not a rapper.”
