Happy Birthday, Chance The Rapper!

Today, April 16, marks the 25th birthday of Chancelor Bennett, otherwise known as Chance The Rapper.

Bred in Chicago, Ill., Chance The Rapper began to gain notoriety following the release of his first two independent mixtapes, 10 Day and Acid Rap. As an independent artist, Chance released his music for free, only boosting his online popularity. Chano hadn't been on the scene for too long before he caught the attention of rap luminaries everywhere, including folks like Drake and Kanye West.

A 2014 XXL Freshman, Chance's brainchild is The Social Experiment, a jazz rap band he formed with his hometown friends. The group dropped their debut album, Surf in May of 2015, and with features from the likes of Migos, Big Sean, J. Cole and Erykah Badu, it proved to be unique listening experience. Months later, Chano became a first-time father, welcoming a baby girl in September 2015.

Entering what would prove to be an extremely eventful year, Chance fulfilled a lifelong dream of his by finnaly working with Kanye West, appearing on the rapper's The Life of Pablo album in early 2016. By May of that year, at the age of just 24, the dynamic Windy City artist dropped off his acclaimed third mixtape Coloring Book. Surmounting a challenge he set for himself on Yeezy's TLOP track, "Ultralight Beam," Chano made history when Coloring Book took home three golden gramophones at the 2017 Grammy Awards.

Outside of the world of music, Chano has gone to great lengths to help the youth community in his city and was recognized as Chicagoan of the Year last in 2015. In 2017, Chance doubled down on his intention to help Chicago kids by donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools.

Since then, the rapper's only continued his streak of good deeds while reaching deeper into his entertainment utility belt to become dominant pop culture force. Last September, Chano grilled wings at a then-new Chicago Nando's location in order to raise funds for the Chicago Public School System. Two months later, Chano helped secure a $1 million school donation from Jewel-Osco. The money went to the Chance's arts education fund with the CPS. Around that same time, on Nov. 18, 2017, Chance took pulled out some solid comedic timing and surprising acting chops while hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live.

As if all of that weren't enough, Chance has actually found a way to make his birthday celebration a big earner for his local school system. On April 12, Chano announced that he was throwing a special party for his 25th birthday. Tickets will be going for $125 each, and fans will get an opportunity to party with one of the best rapper's around. Sounds dope.

Happy Birthday, Chance!

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