The Crayons to Chance The Rapper's "Coloring Book"
Photo by Jacob Linden
Chance The Rapper's Coloring Book was released and one of my initial reactions, after appreciating the project's greatness, was that there was the presence of some rather large features, and not nearly as many Chicago names as I had expected. While there were certainly records that didn't make the album (see "Grown Ass Kid" featuring Mick Jenkins and Alex Wiley), the Chicago contributions on the final draft seemed rather light. An odd result from someone who lives, eats, and breathes his city.
All that said, I shouldn't have allowed myself to doubt Chance The Rapper when it comes to putting on his musician friends from the 'Go. After a deep dive into the composer credits, it turns out there are plenty local names with a little piece of the publishing puzzle. From big names like Jeremih and Saba to lesser known singers, songwriters and musicians like Teddy Jackson, Sima Cunningham, Zarif Wilder, and others left their imprint on Chance's monstrous third mixtape. It takes a village as they say, and the village that has contributed to Chance's prior projects have gone onto successful careers in music of their own. Will Coloring Book be the launch pad for many of the names below? Time will tell, but we suggest you start doing your homework immediately.
1. All We Got (Ft. Kanye West & Chicago Children's Choir)
Chance the Rapper, Chicago Children's Choir, Francis Starlite, Grace Weber, Isaiah Robinson, Jack Red, Josephine Lee, Kanye West, Nate Fox, Nico Segal, Peter Cottontale, Sima Cunningham, Taylor Marrow-Simmons, Teddy Jackson & Vasil Garnanliev
2. No Problem (Ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz)
2 Chainz, Ashwin Torke, Brass Tracks, Cam O'bi, Chance the Rapper, HaHa Davis, James Francies, Jamie Woods, Jeff Lane, Jonathan Hoard, Lakeitsha Williams, Lil Wayne, Rachel Cato & Zarif Wilder
3. Summer Friends (Ft. Jeremih & Francis & The Lights)
Chance the Rapper, Francis Starlite, Jeremih, Josephine Lee, Meena Cho & Mitchell Owens
4. D.R.A.M. Sings Special
Chance the Rapper, D.R.A.M., Elle Varner, Jordan Ware, Nate Fox & Nico Segal
5. Blessings
Byron Cage, Chance the Rapper, Fred Hammond, Jamila Woods, JP Floyd, Nate Fox, Nico Segal & Peter Cottontale
6. Same Drugs
Chance the Rapper, Bridget Andes, Chicago Children's Choir, Eric Pidluski, Eryn Allen Kane, Francis Starlite, Josephine Lee, Lido, Macie Stewart, Meena Cho, Mitchell Owens, Nate Fox, Nico Segal, Peter Cottontale, Sima Cunningham, Brian Beach, Scott Dickinson
7. Mixtape (Ft. Young Thug & Lil Yachty)
Chance the Rapper, Chris Barnett, Greg Landfair, Lil Yachty & Young Thug
8. Angels (Ft. Saba)
Chance the Rapper, Lido, Nate Fox, Nico Segal, Peter Cottontale & Saba
9. Juke Jam (Ft. Justin Bieber & Towkio)
Chance the Rapper, Justin Bieber, Mount Kimbie, Peter Cottontale, Rascal & Towkio
10. All Night (Ft. Knox Fortune)
Chance the Rapper, HaHa Davis, KAYTRANADA, Knox Fortune & Nico Segal
11. How Great (Ft. Jay Electronica & My cousin Nicole)
Carter Lang, Chance the Rapper, Chicago Children's Choir, Isaiah Robinson, Jay Electronica, Josephine Lee, Nate Fox, Nicole Steen, Peter Cottontale, Sima Cunningham & Vasil Garnanvlier
12. Smoke Break (Ft. Future)
Chance the Rapper, Future & Garren Langford
13. Finish Line / Drown (Ft. T-Pain, Kirk Franklin, Eryn Allen Kane & Noname)
Cam O'bi, Chance the Rapper, Chicago Children's Choir, Eryn Allen Kane, Grace Weber, Greg Landfair, Isaiah Robinson, Jack Red, Josephine Lee, Kirk Franklin, Macie Stewart, Nate Fox, Nico Segal, Noname, Peter Cottontale, Rajiv Halim, Sima Cunningham, T-Pain, Zarif Wilder
14. Blessings
Anderson .Paak, Ashley Simpson, Benjamin Shepherd, BJ the Chicago Kid, Cam O'bi, Chance the Rapper, Fred Hammond, HaHa Davis, Joseph Lopez, Nate Fox, Nico Segal, Peter Cottontale, Raury & Ty Dolla Sign