What a difference a year can make. Chance’s 2016 joint June/July cover story with Lin-Manuel Miranda (the second of two covers at that time) profiles him before debatably the best freestyle of the #SoGoneChallenge, when his critique of Chicago and Illinois politicians was in its early stages, and still in the midst of producing what is now Coloring Book. Fast forward to this June/July, and Chance is meeting with governors, funding Chicago public schools on his own dime, and gathering Grammys, a Humanitarian Award, and Complex’s first digital cover under his belt, among other accolades.
In addition to the talents and qualities that make Chance an empathetic, inspiring songwriter, he's just a remarkably consistent artist, maintaining a high standard of quality for the music he releases. It's made whittling down (and ranking) his best songs especially tough. He's matured significantly, from early mixtape 10 Day to Acid Rap to Surf to Coloring Book, but that evolution hasn't rendered any of his past work irrelevant. Even when he's working in a more frivolous space, like holiday music, he still manages to produce gems.
The oeuvre of Chance's rap songs made him an easy choice for the Complex staff to award him the title of the most recent Best Rapper Alive. Not everyone agreed with Complex's decision to reward Chance yesterday. There were questions raised about his lyricism on his tracks and ability to rap in the traditional sense. Spend time with some of the songs we love here—in particular, loosies like "Israel (Sparring)—and maybe you'll be convinced anew.
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34. Snakehips f/ Chance the Rapper and Tinashe "All My Friends"
33. Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment f/ Chance the Rapper, King Louie, and Quavo "Familiar"
32. Chance the Rapper and Jeremih f/ Lud Foe"I Shoulda Left You"
31. Rapsody f/ Chance the Rapper and Big K.R.I.T. "Lonely Thoughts"
30. "Favorite Song" f/ Childish Gambino
29. "Somewhere In Paradise" f/ Jeremih and R. Kelly
Album: N/A (2015)
Producer: Corin Roddick, the Social Experiment, and Chance the Rapper
It was initially unclear if this SoundCloud loosie would make the final track list for Coloring Book. It ended up on the cutting floor, now serving to prove (as if it wasn't already clear) that Chance was willing to make some sacrifices in service of a better album. The real star here is the beat—courtesy of Purity Ring's Corin Roddick, among others—one of the brightest Chance has ever jumped on, and by the time it kicks into high gear, booming horn section and all, Chance is in full preacher mode, as charismatic as ever. —Brendan Klinkenberg
27. "Mixtape" f/ Young Thug and Lil Yachty
Album: Coloring Book (2016)
Producer: CBMIX and Stix
A running theme from this list is that Chance, at his best, sounds only like Chance. His full-length projects are master classes in tone, each one featuring a developed sound and thoughtful sonic cohesiveness. "Mixtape," though, is where Chance proves his versatility, taking things to Atlanta to link up with outré firebrand Young Thug and winking upstart Lil Yachty. The results are intoxicating, a bass-heavy, slow-swinging track that bring Chance into a new zone, and romanticizes his persistent refusal to call his projects anything but mixtapes. —Brendan Klinkenberg
25. "Smoke Again" f/ Ab-Soul
24. "Israel (Sparring)" w/ Noname
Album: N/A (2015)
Producer: Cam O'bi
“A rap song is match in a cave” is the kind of line that gets lodged in your brain. On this loosie collaboration between Chance and Noname, they trade thoughtful lyrics that border on spoken word over a mellow beat from Cam O'bi. Chance’s delivery is so calm it’s almost flat, and instead of deadening the song it makes you sit up and listen. It’s the quiet sound of the zone. He’s in it. —Ross Scarano
22. Action Bronson f/ Chance the Rapper "Baby Blue"
21. "Summer Friends" f/ Jeremih and Francis and the Lights
20. Lil Wayne f/ Chance the Rapper "You Song"
19. James Blake f/ Chance the Rapper "Life Round Here (Remix)"
18. "Juke Jam" f/ Justin Bieber and Towkio
17. "Hey Ma" f/ Lili K and Peter Cottontale
16. "How Great" f/ Jay Electronica and My Cousin Nicole
15. "Prom Night"
14. "Cocoa Butter Kisses" f/ Vic Mensa and Twista
13. Towkio f/ Chance the Rapper, Lido, and Eryn Allen Kane "Heaven Only Knows"
12. "Same Drugs"
11. "Good Ass Intro" f/ BJ the Chicago Kid, Lili K., Kiara Lanier, Peter Cottontale, Will, and JP
10. "Juice"
9. "Chain Smoker"
8. "Angels" f/ Saba
7. Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment f/ Chance the Rapper "Sunday Candy"
6. Kanye West f/ Chance the Rapper, The-Dream, Kirk Franklin, and Kelly Price "Ultralight Beam"
5. "Blessings (Reprise)" f/ Anderson .Paak, BJ the Chicago Kid, Raury, and Ty Dolla Sign
Album: Coloring Book (2016)
Producer: The Social Experiment and Cam O'bi
Reviewing Coloring Book earlier this year, I wrote that “We all deserve our unburdened blessing, the gospel of this mixtape tells us. The only question is, Are you ready?” Revisiting it months later, the reprise of “Blessings” moves me even more. From Chance’s measured delivery to his language, plain and poetic, the song is the thesis of the album. “I speak to God in public,” he says twice, and the repetition evokes his declaration that “this is my part, nobody else speak” in “Ultralight Beam.” And the chorus of voices that concludes the song, made up of Anderson .Paak, BJ the Chicago Kid, Raury, and Ty Dolla Sign, sends you falling out in the aisles. —Ross Scarano