Chance the Rapper is an American rapper and singer-songwriter born on April 16, 1993. He’s from Chicago and started gaining attention with his music. His first mixtape “10 Day” came out in 2012 followed by “Acid Rap” in 2013 which put him on the map.
Chance’s third mixtape “Coloring Book” released in 2016 was a big hit earning critical praise and commercial success. It even won him a Grammy for Best Rap Album making history as the first streaming-only album to do so. His song “No Problem” featuring 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne also won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance. That same night Chance took home the Best New Artist award.
In 2019, Chance the Rapper released his first studio album “The Big Day” which did well commercially but received mixed reviews from critics.
Outside of his solo work Chance is part of the Chicago collective Savemoney and sings with the band the Social Experiment led by trumpeter Nico Segal. The band dropped their album “Surf” in 2015.
Chance is also known for his activism and charity work in Chicago where he’s made a significant impact.
| Full Name | Chancellor Johnathan Bennett |
| Date of Birth | April 16, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter, actor |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Spouse | Kirsten Corley |
| Children | Kensli Bennett , Marli Bennett |
| Net Worth | $25 million |
Chance the Rapper’s Early Life and Education
Chance Bennett known as Chance the Rapper was born in Chicago to parents deeply involved in public service. His father worked with Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and later with Barack Obama while his mother served as the Illinois Attorney General. Chance grew up in West Chatham a middle-class neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. At sixteen his father joined the Department of Labor during Obama’s presidency giving Chance unique opportunities like meeting Obama himself.
Chance’s passion for music started early with influences like Michael Jackson whose music he listened to exclusively until fifth grade. Raised in a household filled with jazz and gospel thanks to his parents’ love for artists like Billie Holiday and Sam Cooke Chance discovered hip-hop when he heard Kanye West’s “Through the Wire” on the radio in Hyde Park. This encounter led him to buy West’s debut album sparking his interest in hip-hop.
Inspired by Kanye West, Chance the Rapper began rapping in sixth grade getting his start in a studio belonging to his cousin. He formed the hip-hop duo Instrumentality during his freshman year at Jones College Prep High School and performed at venues like the YOUmedia Lyricist Loft at Harold Washington Library. Despite facing challenges like a suspension for cannabis use Chance continued to pursue his passion for music eventually releasing his debut mixtape “10 Day.” His talent even caught the attention of then-Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Chance’s journey from Chicago’s South Side to the music scene reflects his determination and the influence of his musical upbringing and encounters with political figures like Obama and Daley.
Music career
Chance the Rapper’s journey at Jones College Prep High School was marked by some teachers mocking his dream to become a musician. In 2011 he faced a 10-day suspension for marijuana possession at school. During this time he used his energy to create his first full-length music project the mixtape “10 Day” which he recorded over eight months. He released the mixtape in April 2012 gaining attention with over 500000 downloads on DatPiff. This success helped him connect with influential producers and earned him recognition in Complex magazine as one of Chicago’s new rising rappers.
Chance continued to build his career appearing on Childish Gambino’s mixtape “Royalty” in 2012 and releasing his second mixtape “Acid Rap” in 2013 which was downloaded over 1.5 million times. The mixtape received critical acclaim and earned him nominations and spots on various best-of lists for 2013. He also embarked on tours and collaborated with other artists showcasing his growing influence in the music scene.
Throughout 2014 and 2015, Chance the Rapper expanded his reach by appearing in commercials receiving awards and making significant cultural contributions. He was recognized by Forbes and performed at major music festivals. His creative output included a short film and collaborations with prominent musicians like Madonna. Despite his successes, Chance faced controversies such as regret over collaborating with R. Kelly prompting him to apologize publicly.
Chance Bennett known as Chance the Rapper made a significant impact in 2016 by collaborating with Kanye West on his album “The Life of Pablo.” He co-wrote and featured on several tracks like “Ultralight Beam” “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” and “Famous.” The album’s release was delayed because Chance insisted the song “Waves” be included. During the same year, he also appeared on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s album and Skrillex’s remix of Hundred Waters’ song.
In May 2016, Chance the Rapper released his third mixtape “Coloring Book” (also called Chance 3) exclusively on Apple Music. It received rave reviews and became the first album to chart solely through streaming. He performed a tribute song for Muhammad Ali at the 2016 ESPY Awards and later collaborated with Nike and Nestlé for commercials. In September he kicked off his Magnificent Coloring World Tour.
Chance the Rapper also organized the Magnificent Coloring Day Festival in Chicago featuring artists like Kanye West and Lil Wayne. He launched a campaign to get his music on radio stations and was chosen to headline H&M’s campaign. Despite canceling European shows Chance hinted at working on his debut album and declined an offer to join Kanye West’s label preferring to stay independent.
In 2017, Chance performed at the Grammy Awards and won three awards. He also did a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR and was nominated for an Emmy for a song performed on Saturday Night Live. He headlined Lollapalooza and curated an event for the Obama Foundation in Chicago.
In the following years, Chance the Rapper continued to collaborate with artists like Saba and Cardi B and released singles and new projects. He canceled tours to spend time with family and ventured into hosting shows like Punk’d and the Kids’ Choice Awards. In 2021, he released a concert film and signed a distribution deal with AMC Theatres.
Looking ahead, Chance announced his upcoming album “Star Line Gallery” and joined “The Voice” as a coach for its 23rd and 25th seasons. His latest projects reflect personal experiences and challenges he’s faced in recent years as seen in his 2024 single “Buried Alive.”
Net Worth
Chance The Rapper has an estimated net worth of $25 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Chance the Rapper’s net worth is his music career. He makes money from album sales, streaming, and concert tours. He also earns from endorsements and partnerships with brands. Another source of income is his involvement in social and entrepreneurial projects.
Personal life
Chance the Rapper who lives in his hometown of Chicago once shared a house in North Hollywood with British singer James Blake. He described that time as very challenging. After finishing high school he briefly attended community college before dropping out. Bennett has experimented with drugs like LSD and Xanax in the past but has since moved away from them.
Family-wise his younger brother Taylor Bennett is also a rapper. They started their careers around the same time and share a similar style drawing inspiration from Kanye West another Chicago native. In 2015, Chance announced he was expecting his first child with Kirsten Corley his girlfriend since 2013.
Their daughter Kensli was born in September 2015 but her photos weren’t shared on social media until the end of 2016. After separating Kirsten sought legal recognition of Chance as Kensli’s father leading to a child support case in early 2017. The situation drew public attention but was resolved out of court later that year.
Chance the Rapper and Kirsten reconciled got engaged in 2018 and married in 2019 in Newport Beach California. They welcomed their second daughter Marli in 2019. Unfortunately, they announced their separation in April 2024 after five years of marriage.
Chance spends a lot of time with his daughters taking them to events like Chicago Bulls games meeting prominent figures like the Obamas and going to the gym.
Spiritually Chance is a Christian a belief that is evident in his music. He grew up in a Christian household but drifted from his faith until his daughter’s health scare brought him back to it. Since his mixtape “Coloring Book” he has identified as a Christian rapper crediting God for his success and blessings. He has been involved in Kanye West’s Sunday Service events including performances at Coachella and in Chicago.
In January 2021, Chance the Rapper visited Ghana where he has roots to meet other artists and even visited the Jubilee House with Vic Mensa to meet Ghana’s president. He expressed a desire to return to Ghana after promising to do so in 2019.
Philanthropy
Chance the Rapper’s father Ken Bennett has been active in Democratic Party politics at local and national levels. He worked for Barack Obama as an appointee and aide and was involved in campaigns for Obama and other Democratic figures like Rahm Emanuel and Toni Preckwinkle.
Despite his family’s Democratic ties Chance Bennett identifies as an independent voter though he has supported Democrats in the past. He volunteered for Obama’s reelection campaign and has spoken at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.
In 2014, Mayor Emanuel recognized Bennett as Chicago’s Outstanding Youth of the Year for his community activism. He’s known for initiatives like hosting Open Mike nights for high schoolers and starting Warmest Winter 2016 which provided specially made coats to homeless people in Chicago.
In 2016, Bennett co-founded SocialWorks a nonprofit expanding on his community work. He’s also been vocal about combating gun violence in Chicago launching campaigns like “#SaveChicago”.
Bennett has been critical of President Trump and endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. He’s also been active on social media with some of his tweets gaining widespread attention.
In 2017, Chance The Rapper pledged $1 million to Chicago Public Schools after a contentious meeting with Governor Bruce Rauner. There was even a movement encouraging him to run for mayor of Chicago supported by figures like Drake.
Bennett continues to be involved in Chicago politics and community activism supporting candidates like Amara Enyia in the 2019 mayoral election. He’s received recognition for his humanitarian efforts including an award from UNICEF in 2020.
Despite controversy, Bennett remains outspoken on issues he cares about including his endorsement of Kanye West for president in 2020.
