Chance the Rapper – Blessings

Chance the Rapper is an enigma within the music industry.  He avoids affiliation with any label, both in terms of genre and any record label, yet, is one of the most successful artists to penetrate mainstream music since 2010.  Instead of traditionally paid album releases, he opts to release mixtapes free of charge, saturated within the Word of God and his own personal struggles and experiences.

Contained within his Grammy Award-winning mixtape Coloring Book is the final track, Blessings.  It features songwriter and soul singer Jamila Woods.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Chance-the-rapper-blessings-lyrics.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

While I do not enjoy hip-hop or rap music, I appreciate the poetic aspect of these lyrics.  Chance is a clear and creative communicator in Blessings, referencing the Dragonball series, basketball, and Jericho to tell us all about his shake-up of the current music industry.  He can make a successful career as an artist without selling his music in the form of albums, opting instead to depend on God to provide shows and merchandise as his source of income.  He does this to help further the Kingdom of God, a cause that he personally believes in mentally, spiritually, and through his behavior. He also devotes times to contrast the blessings that God gives with the worldly lifestyle of material possessions.

My biggest concern is the possibility of the “prosperity gospel”, which I explain in more detail in section 2.  The last thing we should do is communicate guaranteed material blessings based on faith.  It is both unwise and unbiblical.

Score: 7/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

The majority of lyrics are Scriptural; However, as mentioned in section 1, I have a major concern about communicating the prosperity Gospel.  There is also one case of equivocation.

[Hook]

Lines 1 and 2: As we will discover later, the “Him” that is praised is God.  The Biblical concept of eternal praise can be found in Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13.

Lines 3-6: While I understand where Chance comes from, that there are blessings given to those who praise God (Psalm 23:6, Psalm 65:4, and Psalm 84:4), my concern is that of the dangerous “prosperity gospel”, that is, the blessings received from God, including increased health and wealth, are guaranteed based upon our level of faith.  This has become popularized today thanks to the “Word of Faith” movement, much to the chagrin of Jesus’ Disciples’ experiences.  The end hook and outro are especially alarming given the questions to listeners, asking them if they are ready for their miracle and blessings.

NOTE: In the second and third hooks, Chance throws in a few references to “Good God”.  These are not in blasphemy but in awe, acknowledging God’s goodness as described in 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 23:6, Psalm 27:13, Psalm 31:19-20, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 86:5, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 106:1, Psalm 119:68, Psalm 135:3, Psalm 136:1, Psalm 145:9, Lamentations 3:25, Nahum 1:7, Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18, and Luke 18:19.  It also helps to contextualize pronoun usage.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1 and 2: There is a double-meaning present.  The first is that Chance gives his music away for free and gets paid through touring and merchandise, in accordance to Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:15, Matthew 10:10, Luke 10:7, and 1 Timothy 5:18.  The second is the furthering of the Kingdom of God, as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.  Writing his music is how Chance contributes to this cause.

Line 3: Chance hopes that his impact will be memorialized as one who started a movement that impacts the entire music industry, though not for his own glory.

Line 4: A reference to two characters within the anime/manga Dragonball/Z/GT.  Krillin and the guy with blonde hair (Goku) are two characters from that series.  Goku turns “Super Saiyan”, a new level of power upon witnessing the death of Krillin at the hands of Frieza.  Chance is making the same point as in the previous line regarding his impact on the future of music.

Lines 5 and 6: The historical Jesus was most likely mocha caramel colored, not the white-skinned, blue-eyed, caucasian surfer Jesus often presented by well-meaning white folk.

Chance also references the Black Lives Matter movement, which began in 2013 after the George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.  The implication is that like many black people today, Jesus was deceitfully killed by people in authority.

Finally, “His Daddy” is a reference to the Father, the first person in the Trinity.  Line 6 refers to the benediction that He gives regarding Jesus, that we should listen to Him, as recorded in Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, and Luke 9:35.

Line 7: The first part refers to  Psalm 119:133 and the second Ephesian 6:17.

Line 8: This line also has a double meaning.  First, the name “Donnie” is his childhood friend, Donnie Trumpet (now Nico Segal).  The second is much deeper, referring to Revelation 11:15-17, where the final trumpet will sound and marks the beginning of Christ’s reign.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-4: Reminiscent of 1 Timothy 6:10, Chance raps against the “American dream”, one filled with material possessions gained through selling drugs.  He recognizes that drugs, though have the appearance of a heavenly bliss, is no replacement for the real thing.  Such lifestyles that are more about highrises, doors that open on opposite hinge, and meaningless dribble on social media than serving God are rightfully condemned, in accordance with  Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 9:62, and Luke 14:26-33.

Lines 5-7: Chance builds on the prior four lines with an acknowledgment that, though his sexual promiscuity is worldly, brought about a blessing through the birth of his daughter.  He contrasts lines 1-4 with this example.

Lines 8 and 9: Refers to spiritual warfare that all Christ followers struggle with, in accordance with Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 7:21-25, Ephesians 6:12-17, and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

The songs that Chance writes are not full of fluff or fakery, but rather genuine.  He does not give up, much like Paul’s race in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

The phrase “Force to be reconciled” alludes to 2 Corinthians 5:18.  Chance acknowledges his flaws and his need for a savior.

Lines 10 and 11: These two lines contrast the music industry’s demand for short songs for making money, yet, what we truly need is to spend time with God on a daily basis, consistent with the “daily bread” portion of the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:11 and Luke 11:3.

Lines 12-14: A continuation of Verse 1 line 8, Chance, unfortunately, equivocates on the word “trumpet” to refer both to the final trumpet in Revelation and the conquest of Jericho in Joshua 6:1-27.  Here he speaks of traditional music retail and how he breaks down barriers by releasing mixtapes free of charge rather than entire albums for a price (though I will still call it “album” at the end for consistency).

Line 13 specifically refers to basketball terminology (or equivalent sport), when a player shoots a ball after the buzzer sounds but before it successfully enters the basket.

Score: 7/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Using terminology that is every day and not church lingo, Chance uniquely communicates to an unbelieving audience that can understand where he is coming from and makes it obvious that he raps about God.  He is clear in communication and does not mince words, reminding me of Paul’s clarity in his letters.

In sections 1 and 2, I mentioned my concern about the prosperity Gospel.  I am especially concerned with those who do not know Jesus, that they will walk away believing that God will somehow owe them blessings because of faith.

Score: 7/10

4. What does this song glorify?

While this song does glorify God and calls for our eternal praise, Chance’s perhaps unintended communication of Word of Faith’s prosperity gospel veils it.

Score: 7/10

Closing Comments

Overall, I am happy with what Chance the Rapper accomplishes in Blessings.  He shakes up the entire music industry and is not shy about rapping about God, using pop culture to make his points.  He throws punches at worldly possessions and calls us to a life of eternal praise.

Had it not have been for the prevalent and possibly misfiring that, consequently, communicates the prosperity gospel, this would have received a much higher score.  However, this will be a good opportunity to chew on the meat that Chance provides and throw away the bones.

Final Score: 7/10

Artist Info

Track: Blessings (listen to the song) (download free)

Artist: Chance the Rapper

Album: Coloring Book (download free)

Genre: Hip Hop/Rap, Soul

Release Year: 2016

Duration: 3:50

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