Chicago is an urban metropolis divided into sections. From pockets of extreme wealth to areas many fear to venture, the Windy City can be as dangerous as it is beautiful, often pitting its citizens against each other. These social clashes have produced artists like Common and Kanye West, each taking a different approach to detailing the barrier that splits their city into pieces. Yet, while many focus on the plight that has befallen Chicago, few artists have done more to unite the city than its prodigal son Chance the Rapper.
Under the cover of darkness, Chance, along with fellow artists Donnie Trumpet (trumpet) , Peter Cottontale (keys), Nate Fox (production) and Greg “Stix” Landfair Jr. (drums) – who have come together under the name The Social Experiment – dropped their debut album Surf to much fanfare. The album has been highly anticipated since it was first announced last fall. Much like The Social Experiment itself, the album’s release was unorthodox; it was released without notice (a trend becoming more common of late), given to fans free of charge, neither stated nor hyped up its extensive features list and focused on the collective rather than the individual.
In this way, Surf represents a backlash against everything Hip Hop has been building to over the past decade, from the overdone opulence to the “me over we” drama that has become synonymous with the genre. That’s because Surf is more than just a Hip-Hop album – and far from a follow-up to Chance’s critically acclaimed Acid Rap mixtape; these 16 tracks are a work of art.
Happiness. That’s what first comes to mind when trying to unlock an album as complex as Surf. Projecting a lighthearted feel without sacrificing its musical integrity, the album establishes this upbeat mood right from the jump on tracks like the gospel-tinged “Miracle” and the jazzy, horn-filled dance anthem “Slip Side” featuring Busta Rhymes and B.O.B. This may be surprising for fans of mixtape Chance, who could rattle off anger-filled verses such as “22 Offs” (10 Day) and rap anthems like “Juice” (Acid Rap), but to those who have followed him over the past year as he left his boyhood behind, it will come as no surprise.
Like many artists, including featured emcees Big Sean and J. Cole, Chance has done all that he can to help improve the situation of those in his hometown community since rising to fame. His presence at open-mic nights on Chicago’s Southside has helped attract hundreds of aspiring artists, encouraging them to not only empower themselves, but to shape their surroundings as well.
This is a far cry from the introspective yet angsty young Chance of his mixtape past, with poetic quotes like, “Who are you to tell me I don’t want you / The way flesh wants freedom / The way greed love need, the way kings need kingdoms / You don’t know what I know, what I’m capable of / What I slaved for and traded in favors /And gave up for you what I gave up for love,” off of “Warm Enough” featuring NoName Gypsy and J. Cole showing off the emcee’s growth. Freed of all prior burdens – and any label constrictions – Surf showcases The Social Experiment’s determination to find peace of mind over all else – even financial security. It pays off.
“I don’t wanna be cool, I don’t wanna be cool. I don’t want you to be me, you just should be you,” croon Chance and fellow Chicagoan Jeremih on “Wanna Be Cool.” It sounds like a motto found in a D.A.R.E. pamphlet, but The Social Experiment’s organic feel makes even lyrics like these ring true. The use of live instrumentation found throughout Surf, including Donnie Trumpet’s ability to alter the sound of his chosen instrument on “Nothing Came To Me” and light up tracks with his jazzy inflection on others like “Just Wait,” prove that The Social Experiment is willing to back up these claims a well.
The Social Experiment’s message is more important than a catchy radio hook, and the aforementioned memorandum can be found throughout, with songs like “Windows” preaching originality with lyrics like, “Don’t you look up to me, don’t trust a word I say / Don’t you end up like me, if you learn one thing today.”
However, some of the album’s features stray from this thought process, with King Louie’s feature on “Familiar” and the latter half of Big Sean’s verse on “Wanna Be Cool” serving more as distractions than key additions to their respective songs. The album’s three interludes are also hit or miss, with “Questions” veering off course when instrumental tracks like “Something Came To Me” make for a much better fit.
Just as Chance has changed over the years, so has the musical landscape around him. R&B has made a triumphant return; surprise albums are slowly becoming the norm; emcees are starting to revert back to truthful, poignant lyrics rather than bars filled with bragging and boasting. On Surf, Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment prove that they’ve done their market research, producing an album that utilizes all of these trends (and goes against many others) to create an experience that is somewhere between a Sunday Baptist church service, Herbie Hancock concert and poetry reading. Because of this, Surf will not be for everyone, but for those seeking a sense of spiritual upliftment and a relaxing summertime soundtrack, Surf is the wave you’ve been looking for.
4 stars
i was wainting for this album and it became a big let down. of course it’s not a chance solo album, but for god’s sake it’s like a soft jazz shit with some rap verses. the trumpet solos are extremely boring (asi was never into jazz nor instrumental music) and the whole stuff is somehow irrelevant. the only interesting point is the appearance of the quavo, but the rest of the songs are pretty annoying. it would’ve been better to hear chance 1st on some ‘regular’ rap shit, and after a bunch of albums this stuff would’ve been a bomb cuz it has some artistic views that i appreciate and it’s a step outside of his comfort zone. but however artistic is this i just can’t enjoy it.
exactly bro u couldn’t have said it any better i was let down by this album and ive been a chance fan since 10 day and acid rap but those 2 albums is what i was expecting to hear not this super over the top jazzy influence that was very annoying and a let done due to the fact that he hasn’t made anything in 2 years. i mean is name is chance the RAPPER and there where only a couple sounds where he actually sounded like a rapper
Why do something regular and the same as everyone else in the genre … And if you didn’t expect it to be very jazzy than you probably haven’t been paying attention
The thing is it’s absolutely not a chance the rapper album. He’s a part of the collaboration. If you were expecting a pure hip hop album you haven’t been listening to any of the social experiment stuff or been following any of their updates on it. It’s alright to not like the music but don’t say it’s boring or bad because it isn’t what you expected. That’s on you for not knowing what it was about and assuming.
Probably the best review I’ve read in awhile on this website. I agree that Surf isn’t for everyone, but I believe that everyone can find appreciation in what The social experiment is trying to do. O disagree however about the relevance of sean and Louie’s verse on the album. Not everyone lives the life of Chance and I feel like they provide the taste of the other side of the spectrum. Album is solid and definitely a summer jam.
very very very boring album. saxophone and rap shouldn’t mix
Take a look, everyone. These are the words of a moron.
Where you think rap comes from? Sax and rap don’t mix? Have you HEARD They Reminisce Over You???
An experience like nothing I’ve had before while listening to music.
You have to be somewhat young minded and not caring about long term to put out music constantly for free and not have any type of retail items available. Also it states it’s pop it’s more hip hop/ rap similar to Kendrick Lamar’s album (prefer Kendrick) TPAB.
You must don’t know how the music game works nowadays. They don’t make money off of music sales. They make money off of concerts, appearances, and merchandise mostly.
I wrote long term you can’t tour your whole entire life look at Juicy J getting hospitalized and he’s 40 everything you listed eventually fades a song that’s considered a classic on a retail platform people will always buy.
It sounds to me, like what peace is. It’s a beautiful work.
5
This album was very highly anticipated for me and I didn’t get what I expected. However, it was awesome nonetheless. I really love how artists are now breaking the barriers of “genre” (The Social Experiment, Kendrick Lamar, Yelawolf, Drake, etc.) and are simply crafting the music that they want to create; incorporating sounds and instruments that aren’t traditionally heard on a “Hip Hop” song. This album is so cohesive and has a very distinct sound which is another characteristic of this new wave (aka New Age) of hip hop artists who have emerged within the past 5 or 6 years. They aren’t trying to tailor their sound to appease any specific audience. They just make music that is true to them, and say “Here you go! Whether or not you like listening to it, I LOVED CREATING IT”. They know that their honesty and passion for music will translate to others who are open-minded and also passionate about music. It’s truly amazing and I believe this is the new Golden Age of Hip Hop. 4/5 is an accurate rating and I enjoyed reading your review Andrew. I thought Big Sean and King Louie’s verses worked well, but to each their own! I feel so blessed to be here on Earth to witness this paradigm shift, and Hip Hop is certainly leading the way in terms of popular culture.
5
straight fire chance is a beast no matter what
5
damn good
dope…hip hop is changing
It always was
loved it every minute
solid
One of the best albums of 2015
This album is just impossible to describe. Absolutely incredible & such a positive experience. You can’t be in a bad mood while listening to this album. The energy of everyone on this album from Donnie Trumpet, Peter Cottontail, Chance et al. just flows through the speakers directly into your bloodstream.