A Comparison Of Kanye West And Chance The Rapper

At some time in each young person’s life, a transitioning point is reached. This time is accompanied with stress, introspection, and adjustment. When it comes to artists, usually this point presents itself via specific piece or album that begins to define their matured style. For rock artists, this is often a self-titled album, while for rappers it is generally their first or second album or mixtape. Kanye West and Chance the Rapper definitely experienced these coming of age moments on their albums The College Dropout (2004) and Acid Rap (2013). Both young rappers were raised in Chicago, and they reference their origins several times throughout each record. The College Dropout’s and Acid Rap’s exploration of the intricacies associated with coming of age caused both Kanye West and Chance the Rapper to transition and flourish into the artists that they are today. In the beginning of Kanye’s career, he was a relatively successful producer, but he strived to create his own music. For a while, he struggled to acquire a record deal, due to his lack of “gangsta image” compared to most other rappers (Wikipedia). Nonetheless, he was reluctantly signed to Roc-A-Fella Records. A year later, he suffered a severe car crash that required him to have his jaw wired shut. The crash was so

Chance, much like Kanye, had a relatively difficult relationship with school. In fact, the inspiration behind Chance’s first album was his 10 day long suspension from school from “chiefin' a hundred blunts,” as he puts it (Chance the Rapper, “14,400 Minutes”). In the end, though, despite all of the doubt from his teachers and peers, Chance turned out to be one of the most successful rappers ever. Also, interestingly enough, Chance claimed that the first hip-hop album he ever purchased and listened to was The College Dropout, so West clearly had a massive influence on