Entertainment

Chance the Rapper talks ‘Star Line’, ‘Bad Boys’ music video and Chicago deep-dish culture

Published 3 hours ago iNFO Vi3h ago

Chance the Rapper gave fans a taste of what’s next when he paid a visit to New York City’s Rockefeller Center on August 16.

The Chicago native received a warm welcome from fans as they lined the TODAY Plaza outside Studio 1A for his Citi Concert Series. It was there that fans sang along to the rapper’s hits — new and old — on a sunny Friday morning.

With his highly anticipated “Star Line” mixtape on the horizon, Chance sang fresh hits “Stars Out” and “Together” before concluding with the classic “Sunday Candy” in a performance that featured a smoke show and a smooth saxophone.

After the show, Chance took a moment to answer eight questions before 8 a.m. Read on to find out what inspired his latest project, plus who would headline his dream music festival.

1. When can fans experience “Star Line”?

Fans can experience “Star Line” as it rolls out. It’s kind of a project that I’m letting my fans live in with me. Whether it’s interacting online or meeting me in person at one of the writings on the walls, it’s been a very immersive and interactive dealing.

2. What was it like filming the “Bad Boys 2” music video in Chicago?

Shooting the video for “Bad Boys 2” was like a movie. Even with all the fans and people that were walking by — basically extras and paid extras — they were really excited to see us shooting the video in the city.

I think it’s always cool when you see a production happening in Chicago. So, I think people seeing the trailers and seeing the car getting pulled on the expressway and stuff like that was a really good connection moment for me and some of the fans just walking around.

3. What would you title this chapter of your career?

I think this chapter of my career would probably be called Star Line. That’s probably the best way to describe it. It’s been a lot of traveling, a lot of movement and a lot of writing.

4. Can you name four rappers that deserve a permanent spot on Mount Rushmore?

That’s a tough question. Mount Rushmore is a — I feel like it used to be sacred land. So, I wouldn’t want to put anybody up there. I’d probably give it back.

5. If you could mastermind your own music festival, who would be the headliners?

If I was doing my own festival, I would have to have Frank Ocean on there. You need a Beyoncé performance. You want to see Kendrick (Lamar). (You) want to see Stevie Wonder. Who else is amazing? Teezo Touchdown, Chance the Rapper, and who’s — oh, and The Killers, The Killers. You gotta have The Killers at a good festival.

6. How did mixtape culture influence your career?

That is my career. I grew up getting music from DatPiff and the gas station and, you know, unofficial releases. But it’s really a testament to hip hop. Hip hop is about recreating things and taking from the scraps that you got and creating something new.

Mixtape started out with rappers rapping over other people’s instrumentals, and then it became [a] more original production. And it became a means for rappers to gain agency and a name without actually [being] assigned to a label. That’s my ethos.

So mixtape culture, DJ Drama, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, you know, The Diplomats. There’s so many different mixtape series and mixtape eras that define how I put pen to paper.

7. Question from Little Big Town: If you could collaborate with any country artist, who would it be?

Dang, I would collaborate with Little Big Town. And I would also love to work with Nelly. I know that people don’t consider him a country artist, but he is. And — what’s my guy’s name? Shaboozey! Shaboozey, for sure.