O2 Academy Brixton

Contrary to preconceptions about hip-hop shows, Chance The Rapper is the kind of performer who values good manners. After bursting onstage for hyperactive renditions Angels and Blessings to set the pace, Chance takes a second to apologise to the crowd at the first of two sold out Brixton Academy gigs for failing to greet them properly. “That wasn’t very polite of me,” – Chance says, making quick work of the niceties before pressing on with Acid Rap favourites Pusha Man, Smoke Again and Cocoa Butter Kisses. It’s been a while since the Chicago artist visited London for a show of this kind, and a lot has changed.

The devotional anthems which make up Chance’s 2016 project Coloring Book form the bulk of the set. Backed by a huge screen and joined by a live band featuring trumpeter and longtime collaborator Nico Segal (FKA Donnie Trumpet who reverted back to using his birth name following the election result), the scale of this show is staggering. Sunday Candy’s heartwarming chorus comes complete with karaoke visuals and the dreamy artwork for Coloring Book glows behind him for some of the tape’s more tender numbers. One slight downside is the bass-heavy live mix, which gets the crowd going but flattens out some of Chance’s more delicate melodies. With any luck this can be reduced before his second show tomorrow night (22 November). 

Chance performs his cover of the Arthur theme tune – and admittedly, the show  often edges into corny territory. But as with all of Chance The Rapper’s family-friendly music and community-focused work – the tangible positive impact he’s made on his fanbase and the impulses which drive his work are impossible to get too sneery about. When Chance performs his spotlight-stealing verse from Kanye West’s Ultralight Beam, what could seem sentimental actually feels more cathartic. This is gospel as survival tactic – joyful and determined.

Before playing Summer Friends – a standout cut from the tape which Chance declares is his favourite song he’s ever written – he speaks at length about the recent election results. Chance campaigned hard for Hilary and yet he makes a point of telling the crowd that he wasn’t surprised by the outcome. “I’m glad you were surprised, it means you’re awake,” he says, urging the thousands of young people in attendance to stay politically engaged.

He closes with Blessing (Reprise) the closing track of Coloring Book where he takes stock and asserts himself as “Kanye’s best prodigy”. On the mixtape he sounded hopeful – wishful even. Tonight he’s just stating facts.

Photo by Kay Ibrahim