It used to be that getting signed to a major record label meant you were on. Chance The Rapper has disrupted that mindset with his success and is potentially ushering in a new ethos for upcoming artists: you don’t need a label.
On Monday (April 24), the “No Problems” rapper performed at San Diego’s Valley View Casino for his Be Encouraged Tour and basically clowned eight of the most popular music labels by reconstructing their logos into something more comical and crude.
During Chano’s production he was backed by a giant video screen that flashed the new label signage. Sony turned into Phony, Def Jam Recordings to Don’t Join Recordings, Aftermath Entertainment to Can’t Do Math Entertainment, Warner Music Group to Wiener Music Group, Virgin to Villain, Motown to No Crown, Epic to Edick and Universal to Undiverse.
All this while tauntingly showing off the three Grammys he won this year for Best New Artist, Best New Album for Coloring Book and Best Performance for “No Problem,” which featured his buddies 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne. Those are three awards Chance wouldn’t have been able to win if the Recording Academy hadn’t changed its rules to allow streaming-only titles to be counted for nomination. Previously, artists would have had to put their work up for sale, which is something the Chicago musician has never felt compelled to do.
Chance has become known for his staunch belief in freedom from record labels and has found much success in it. The 24-year-old was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People this year, and in the magazine’s blurb, fellow Chi-town rapper Common wrote, “I’m glad Chance followed his dreams. I hope he always does.”
But Lil Chano’s trek to independent success hasn’t happened without stark criticism. Many have questioned how Chance got to be so successful. Doubters have incessantly called him an industry plant, pointing at his father’s ties to the Obama family and also questioned his relationship with Apple Music and Jimmy Iovine. Some astute fans have pointed out that Iovine’s Interscope Records wasn’t included in the lineup of music labels he clowned.
Back in March, Chance disclosed on Twitter the extent of his relationship with Apple, who doled out half a million dollars for exclusive release rights to Coloring Book.
Despite the disclosure, some are still doubtful of Chance’s “true” indie status. Perhaps his astute business moves will make doing independent music your own way the new normal, just as long as you still have your creative freedom and don’t relinquish your publishing to a large corporation. Only time will tell.
The Be Encouraged Tour is slated to continue throughout the rest of this year, wrapping up October 3 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Hmmmm dissin aftermath records…. i don’t think that’s goin fair to well with certain artists tho …
Please…and honestly we know how aftermath rolls. theyre just as bad
Haha, Can’t Do Math Entertainment. Take this L, Kendrick. Good thing he ain’t clown OVO, he respects the 6ix God. #DrakeIsLoveDrakeIsLife #MoreLife
Cornrow Kenny actually sells physical records tho … can’t say the same for chance tho … by the way , you damn has already outsold more life right
Ovo isnt a major record label dummy
Drake signed to Motown
Chance flexin’ his INDIE POWER! F*ck a ‘Record Deal’! … and these beggers desperate to sell their Soul, Rights, Ownership, Creative Control and all their Profits! The POWER is in the Control and Ownership! No athletes as RICH as the TEAM OWNERS! #NoMoreRecordsDeals!
PREACH!!!!
In this case, No musicians are as rich as the Record Label Owners and executives
Chance corny as shit ppl like what they like and thats cool but for him to degrade labels like aftermath and def jam is a succer move i doubt if either label would sign him and he sooooo indie with all these ties to rich ppl fuck outta here he probaly still got a major backin him like joey bad ass ijs its really levels but his music still trash tho
Big ups to Chance to be his own man and be more successful than most major sign artist because the labels are run by old out of touch devil perverted racist who have destroyed the culture wit the garbage they have forced on the public death to all these big labels you see it coming todays music buyers aren’t buying !!
This cat ain’t even a good rapper..
While I’m skeptical about him myself in regards to his independent status and whether or not he’s a true “rags to riches” story due to his pops and his connection to Obama( which I have no doubt have given him an advantage), alongside that Apple deal, to say that dude can’t spit is some bull. Not his biggest fan but some of these comments are flagrant.
“…..and they are all good people there…” ummmm because u made a deal with them….#gtfoh
No big up for Chance the Closet Fuck Puppet. No one gives a shit if you sold your soul independently or with a major label. This dude comes out gay fasho like within a year tops. Bet he wife Lil Yack Yack with a pre nup on that bitch ass.
Don’t believe him at all
for him to not mention Interscope seems like something fishy is definitely going on. Joey Badass is another fake indie artist with multiple labels silently backing and pushing him.
Some of y’alldy’all don’t get it. You dont need labels anymore. The artist can have full control.. How do some of you not get that
you too corny