Chance the Rapper: 23 Year Old Musical Genius

Last week, on February 12, a well-known rapper from Chicago made history at the Grammy awards. As he ran on stage declaring his faith, Chance the Rapper received his third Grammy for his Best Rap Album, “Coloring Book”.

The 23-year old made history not only because of his three Grammy awards, but because he was the first African American hip-hop artist to win the Best Rap Album award for streaming-only music. Chance has made it known to be possible to be successful without being signed to a major recording label. His worth ethic, talent, and personal beliefs has out shined his fellow rappers Drake and Kanye West.

“I didn’t think we were going to get this one,” said Chance, who also won best performance and best new artist.

In spite of winning these awards, Chance always had one thing on his heart and mind, Chicago. His talent was first developed as a young teen at Jones College Prep High School. He was well-known for his rapping skills and inspired many other young rappers like him from Chicago. Not only has he impacted young artists like himself, he has also impacted others from the city of Chicago as well. Young artists from Chicago are continually being influenced by Chance and are being exposed by the music industry. 17-year-old Kaotik, is an up and coming artist from Chicago. He has just released a mix tape and is hoping to have the same success like Chance.

Ever since he released his debut mixtape, 10 Day, Chance has been working hard to help out the youth and the less fortunate in Chicago as well. His charity, Warmest Winter, raised $60,000 to give coats to the homeless in Chicago. He has hosted open mike events for aspiring artists from Chicago with a chance to perform with legends like Kanye West. After a year of promoting the statement #SaveChicago, Chance received Chicago’s Outstanding Youth of the Year Award. Chance is continuously working hard to bring a change through his music, through activist projects, through community service, and much more.

Homeschooler in the Real World

Emma Folts, a sophomore at Wheaton College, shares her experience about her transition into college and how homeschool has both helped and hindered her.
How has your homeschool experience benefitted you, especially in your transition into college?
I think the one thing that homeschooling did that was really helpful as I entered college was that it taught me time management. As a homeschooler I had the same freedom as a college student has to put things off during the day and go see a friend instead. Since I had that experience, I knew the cost of that.
Also, personal responsibility and accountability with assignments. I feel like a lot of the other students had more expectations for gentler grading and that the professor would give them retakes or extensions, but that wasn’t something that ever happened to me in school. That learning curve wasn’t added because I never had it the other way. I think another thing was that because I was homeschooled, I was familiar with the format of teaching and then studying on my own.
Did you see any issues with your transition socially?
I think that homeschooling had two ramifications for me socially. One was helpful, one was hurtful.
It was really helpful because as a homeschooler, I had spent a lot of time realizing and developing who I was as a person and learning to recognize people who were being themselves, and those were the people I sought out as friends. Friendship as a homeschooler takes a lot more investment. I knew I was choosier with my friends which made me a lot less anxious and a lot more content.
The only real negative impact of the social bit was that I was really used to getting to choose the time I got to spend with people. As a homeschooler I spent a lot of time with people, but that time was controlled by me. As a college student, I found that you can’t really control the time you spend with people and alone time is not really available. Learning to deal with that was a lot harder than anticipated.
Any last comments on homeschool and how it has affected your college experience?
I think homeschooling is really helpful, however it does take a slightly increased amount of advocacy with your peers when you’re entering into college. I think a lot of people come in with certain assumptions about homeschool, especially students. You’re going to get a lot of, ‘oh my gosh, you don’t seem like a homeschooled person!’ [You can’t] take that too personally and explain your experience so that friends can understand it’s an important piece of you, though it might not look like the homeschooling that they’ve seen.
My encouragement to anyone who is a homeschooler transitioning into college is to realize the benefit that you have having been homeschooled, and to realize that the bit of advocacy and explaining that you need to do with your peers is totally normal and that it’s not a big deal. Once they understand your experience, it’s not something I’ve experienced being looked down on for.