My admiration for Chicago’s 21 year old Chance The Rapper is boundless. I missed his mixtape Acid Rap when it was first released but after catching a brilliant set at Governors Ball last year, I backed into it and was shocked at this unique blend of ultimate easy listening and smart hip hop. Try the Vic Mensa featured “Cocoa Butter Kisses”, light years ahead of the competition. It sounds like nothing else out there but pushed… maybe Frank Ocean goes to Sesame Street.
Ever since then I’ve been patiently waiting for Chance The Rapper’s first official album and guess what is coming first? A single of course. Chance and the Social Experiment’s gorgeous “Lady Friend” is a softcore sweetened soul song, though Chance and his band have probably never heard of him, it has some of the innocence of a Jonathan Richman and by innocence I am claiming what feels like a lack of knowledge of wrongdoing, an unknowledge of misogyny and ill treatment of a woman. The story of a platonic love affair is unlike what you expect from anybody, let alone any rapper.
I’m your buddy, I’m your little bro
I’m a stuffed animal
I’m a cuddle, not a dildo
I’m a love anecdote
Was I always taller than ya?
Will I always call ya back?
I’mma always wrongly answer
Always almost caught ya trap
Imaginary beneficiary been away for so long, Ben & Jerry friend
Few compliments and a tear wipe
I’m the best man you’re not marrying
And you know they ask about you, “What’s up with your lady?”
I tell ’em, “You’re just, you’re just, you’re just gorgeous”
You’re just a lady friend, a lady friend
