As impressive as Chance the Rapper is on record, what sets him apart is his live work. His songs are already far less sample-dependent than most rap, but his performances are even more organic.
Rather than a turntable, Chance uses live music — drums, keyboards, guitars, horns, strings — and multiple backing singers, even a choir.
He has made many appearances on TV over the past year and a half, making a point of not repeating any of the songs from “Coloring Book,” to give viewers a cross section of his work. Here’s a guide to some of his best live performances, available online:
>> “I Was a Rock” on the 2016 ESPYs. ESPN tapped Chance on July 13 for a tribute to the recently deceased Muhammad Ali, and he came through with a powerful, mostly sung performance of a song, not on the mixtape, that he wrote specifically to honor “The Greatest.” See it at 808ne.ws/ChanceAliESPYs.
>> “Sunday Candy” at the 2016 White House National Tree Lighting. Working with Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment, Chance brought some serious gospel. Is this a violation of the separation of church and state? Who cares? It’s transcendent music. See it at 808ne.ws/ChanceWhiteHouse.
>> “No Problem” on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz join Chance for a raucous performance on this daytime talker, one of the more unexpected venues he played in 2016. It screened first on Sept. 14. See it at 808ne.ws/ChanceEllen.
>> “Blessings (Reprise)” on “The Tonight Show.” With help from Anthony Hamilton, Ty Dolla Sign, Raury, D.R.A.M. and a gospel choir, Chance demanded attention with this spoken-word/sung performance, first screened on Oct. 3. See it at 808ne.ws/ChanceFallon.
>> “Same Drugs” on “Saturday Night Live.” Chance took the piano bench and brought a choir and string section with him for his Dec. 17 appearance on “SNL.” See it at 808ne.ws/ChanceSameDrugs.
