The Big Day isn’t bad; It’s just not for you.
Chance the Rapper loves his wife. Everybody knows it. It became so apparent that after the release of Chance’s album, “The Big Day”, that’s the synopsis of what you’d hear from early reviewers. Chance makes it crystal clear about the love he has for his wife, Kirsten Corley. This is far from a bad thing and up to this point, Chance was far from the bud of a joke that people took to heart, but this album seemed to have gotten under people’s skin and had people calling Chance and his raps “annoying” “cheesy” and “too positive”. This would be something that isn’t new to someone as an early fan of Chance but he would go on to turn these traits up to eleven in this work. Chance sings a bulk throughout the album and due to his nasal tone, people were turned off, critiquing his singing. The theme of the album is about marriage and mirrors his real-life marriage to wife, Kirsten. This is where people gave up and turned on the rapper. People were happy that Chance married his schoolyard sweetheart and wanted the best for him but people weren’t expecting a full album about how much he loves his wife. But it’s bigger than that, much bigger.
Chance, 26, has accomplished an astonishing amount for someone not only in his position but coming from where he comes from, Chicago. Championing and celebrating independence and self-publication, Chance produced and released 3 albums previous to The Big Day that were touted as “mixtapes”. This was a big thing because if your project is labeled a “mixtape”, it was not recognized as an official album by the Grammy board and could result in your losing more money instead of gaining money. This would be forever changed when Chance’s mixtape, ‘Coloring Book’ won for Best Rap Album in 2017. This technically made ‘The Big Day’ the first official album by Chance and understandably, he wanted it to be perfect.
“The Big Day” is the soundtrack of your honeymoon. Every song is a mood that paints scenes of happiness and celebration. The Big Day is the equivalent of writing your crush the cheesiest love letter but as you sneak it to them, you’re caught by the teacher and made to read it aloud to class; Chance does this with a smile on his face and he’s not embarrassed to do it. Within this love is transparency, and Chance uses this time to address his infidelity. In “We Go High”, he depicts how falling short has helped him in becoming the man he projected himself to be. Chance also deals with growing up and maturing and what that means but more importantly, what that looks like. Shedding his insecurities and forgiving himself for letting not only himself down but his partner, Chance has become the kind of man he’s always wanted to be, inspirational.
The Big Day truly sounds like the soundtrack to Pixar’s first R rated family dramedy. The album is coded with nostalgia from Chance’s childhood and is synthesized inside a gumbo of culture. Chance uses his “first album” as an opportunity to use his heroes to tell his own story of growing up. Black Icons such as EnVouge & SWV lend their talents on the album as well as skits from Keith David and the late, great, John Witherspoon, playing Chance’s uncles. Cree Summer, (known for playing curly-haired Susie on the Rugrats) also has a cameo as a young girl playing with her dolls. Randy Newman (prominent voice of the Toy Story soundtracks) provides a melancholy epilogue to Chance’s “Five Year Plan”. Chance has made his brand out of recreating nostalgia, specifically summertime nostalgia. This album’s take on nostalgia isn’t one of longing but more of learning. Chance seems to have given up the idea of “going back” to that time and just appreciate the time he had and how it’s shaped him to be who his, for better or worse.
The realization of time and it’s importance takes form in “Five Year Plan”. Chance reflects about his career and how it’s affected himself and his loved ones. “Becoming a man” within this time frame, Chance is learning that growth is as uncomfortable as it is inevitable and sometimes the only thing that can combat these struggles is having the foresight to have a plan. Chance also ponders his legacy on “Sun Come Down”. Listing off the things he’d like to happen to his likeness after his death, Chance gives the public instructions on how to properly remember him after he’s gone. He thinks about the life he’s leaving behind for his daughter to live in and how the rumors of the media can damage his relationship with his wife. He’s confident in their love and their sustainability within this industry.
Chance has come into his own. Be it the LSD taking, rapid-fire rapper or the God praising, motivational figure who happens to rap; Chance the Rapper has become the best amalgamation of this artistry. The reception to his album was critically acclaimed but was deemed a “flop” by the general populous. Chance, who planned on going on tour on the heels of this release, pushed back his world tour to focus on the development of his daughter. This was met with critics saying he’s pulling out of the tour because due to the poor reception, it wasn’t guaranteed that the tour would be a financial success. A lot of people debated whether this was the “falling off” of Chance and his brand or just a flop; I don’t believe it’s either. I believe this project was meant for Chance and his loved ones; something he can play for his honeymoon and the years following. It serves as a reminder of who he is and how far he’s come. The Big Day was critiqued as being “too personal” and that’s the point. Chance has always shined a light on his city and the youth inside it maneuvering their way in it. Now that he’s out of it, he’s taking his time to address himself and his status amongst his loved ones. The Big Day is the love letter that was never meant for us; It’s for The Bennetts and serves as a proclamation that Chance is comfortable with growing up.