Chance the Rapper

Since the release of Chance's first mixtape, 10 Day, in 2012, through his breakthrough Acid Rap in 2013 and landmark Coloring Book in 2016, Chance has upended popular music industry norms by refusing to sign to a record label, and always giving his music away for free. But even as he has become more and more successful, Chance has remained strongly grounded in his hometown of Chicago. He donated a million dollars and raised even more for the Chicago Public School system through his philanthropic organization Social Works, and went head to head with the Governor of Illinois over budget cuts for public schools. He sits on the board of the DuSable Museum of African American History. He’s given away bookbags to kids and coats to the homeless. His lyrics often pay homage to the South Side, where he grew up.