Chicago’s Acid Rap turned Gospel music maker has been under some fire lately. He’s been accused of not paying for production and it’s leaving people asking, is Chance The Rapper as squeaky clean as we think he is?
He’s held this “I stand up for the little guys” image for quite some time, and is somewhat revered as one of hip-hop’s politicians. The Soundcloud cape wearing, independent artist that Chance The Rapper is, has never been one to shy away from calling out big labels & politics.
“If one more label try to stop me, it’s gon be some dreadhead niggas in ya lobby.”
He just seems too perfect. But if you’re a politician, that means you’re part of the politics too, right? For the first time, this image has been challenged. The production company, Justice League claims Chance has skipped out on paying for beats used on Acid Rap as well as Chance’s hit single “No Problems” off Coloring Book.
The Catch
But Chance has always used free platforms to share his music on. Which has always been the rule or myth in hip-hop when it comes to using a beat. If I don’t make money off the song, I can use the beat for free. I guess it’s a rule if you don’t get sued and a myth if you do. But more times than so, unsigned independent artists are not being sued by producers in this type of situation.
So in Chance’s eyes, he’s asking, if this song isn’t generating revenue, how can you expect to receive royalties? Which is understandable, as an independent, Chance makes the majority of his money on the road, touring. Part of me has to think if Chance decided to keep the music on his iPhone solely for his enjoyment, Justice League probably wouldn’t be coming for any amount of money. But I do also see it from Justice League’s point of view. The song isn’t making money, but the presentation of the song is, and we haven’t received any compensation for it. Chance’s other claim is that he paid the producer from Justice League directly for the beat.
Which begs the next question, is Chance trying to save one of music’s largest free platforms to continue moving like Justice League suggests? Is there an ulterior motive behind Chance’s perceived heroism?
Definitely get in the comments and let us know. Should Justice League receive royalties for money Chance makes from touring or is Chance in the right to believe he owes nothing further because the music sales aren’t generating his revenue?
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