Introduction to Chance the Rapper’s Latest Album
Chance, the renowned rapper, had a whole month filled with exciting activities. On August 2, he made a surprise appearance at Lollapalooza. On the 11th, he announced his upcoming "We Back" tour. On the 15th, he published his second studio album, Star Line, a project that took six years to create. And on August 19th, Chance the Rapper, along with Kristin Chenoweth, Hasan Minhaj, and others, put together a social campaign to celebrate the launch of Acrobat Studio, a brand new tool from Adobe that is important to the three-time Grammy winner.
The Songwriting Process
The rapper, born in Chicago, talked to The Hollywood Reporter about his unexpected songwriting process, the journey to Star Line, and how fans brought him closer to his music. When asked about the reception of his new album, Chance replied, "Yes, it was a lot of love. I am really very, very proud of the work." He mentioned that instead of reading online reviews, he preferred to meet fans in person and hear their stories about his music.
A Unique Approach to Songwriting
Chance explained that he learned a lot from visual artists who create albums. One of the practices he adopted is called "residency," where artists hide in a foreign space and create multiple works every day, all connected by a comprehensive thesis or title. When Chance was in residency in Ghana, Jamaica, or Paris, he started to learn about the history and networking of black populations worldwide. This experience helped him find parallels and intersections between different cultures and his own American perspective.
Creating Songs Conceptually
Chance said that every song on his project started with a title before he wrote any words. He attacked every song conceptually, knowing what he wanted to achieve. For example, his song "Drapetomania" began with a romantic disco art beat, then evolved into a Yeat-inspired beat, and finally became a fusion of Houston and Atlanta hip-hop and New Chicago, a genre currently emerging in the city.
Overcoming Organizational Struggles
Chance grew up with ADHD and organizational management problems. However, when he works within a structure and knows what he wants to achieve, he can create and produce music effectively. He learned this approach from working with painters: a painting is only finished when it’s done, and sometimes it requires adding a few coats or starting with a completely new canvas.
Partnership with Adobe
Chance’s latest partnership with Adobe is connected to his organizational struggles. He loves using Adobe’s creative tools, especially Acrobat Studio, which helps him organize his thoughts and share them with others in a digestible and implementable way. Chance is a fan of writing notes, but his handwritten notes often look like "chicken scratches." Acrobat Studio’s PDF room feature allows him to share his ideas and break down the influences and themes behind his music.
The PDF Room
The PDF room that Chance published answers many questions about his music and provides context for his fans. It’s like an accompanying journal that offers a quick overview or a more detailed look into his six-year journey. Chance believes that this tool will help his fans understand the meaning and context behind his album, especially those who may not have been following his music closely.
Creating Your Own PDF Room
With the brand new Adobe Acrobat Studio, fans can create their own PDF rooms and transform documents into AI-operated spaces. The pricing for early access ends on October 31. Take a look at Chance the Rapper’s personal PDF room, which explores the journey to Star Line, and create your own unique space to share your ideas and stories.
