Review Summary: Positively the Rapper.
Chance the Rapper has something different. Whether it's his voice, his ear for production, or his stop and go style that changes from being soulful singing into a double time rap, it is clear he is unique. Acid Rap is one of the most unique hip-hop experiences that you'll hear in 2013; its that breath of fresh air that Late Registration was back in 2005.
"Rap just made me anxious and acid makes me crazy" is the first line you'll hear Chance spit on Acid Rap and it's a clear representation of his style. His flow and voice differ so much from the soulful, summer-esque production that, in thought, seems like it could never work. If you could imagine Danny Brown's nasal vocals and Eminem's white boy sound coming together then Chance the Rapper is the hybrid you would receive. Now throw that sound in with the production on this album that sounds like Late Registration's jazzy soul with the summer sounds of The Dirty Heads without guitars and you have the beats showcased on Acid Rap. It's a production so abstract that it shouldn't work and yet, it does.
Acid Rap, while not being a concept album, has outstanding cohesiveness. Each song flows into each other without feeling awkward or forced. The most amazing part is that it does so without the use of interludes or skits. The songs just fit so well with each other that, much like that of Live.Long.A$AP., every song has a similar feel in order to create that cohesiveness...
... However, that is a complaint as well. Every song has that youthful, soulful exuberance in it that is the definition of Chance the Rapper. And it isn't a horrible thing, as I stated it creates that cohesiveness and its very different than most any hip hop out there right now, but as an album whole it will keep the listener in that constant state of "what's the name of that song?" each time you listen to it. It's an album filled with good songs but, with the exception of Good Ass Intro, is lacking the outstanding songs. Also, this whole trademark "sounds" that seems to be the a new fad in rap finds its way on Acid Rap. "AWKK!" (Yeah, the sound a bird makes) and "naynaynaynay" is so overused and quite annoying that it can take away from the vibe of a song. I mean, I don't want to hear Cartman and that black bird that "AWKS" outside my window in the morning on an album I'm listening to. Especially one with the production of Acid Rap. Actually, I don't think I want to hear either of those sounds with anything. Ever.
Aside from those complaints, Chance's first debut is a great achievement. It provides a unique production style with a unique voice. Is he going to be the next, "Voice of our Generation?" I don't think so, but one can find a lot in common with Late Registration and Acid Rap. Who knows, history has that funny way of repeating itself.
