On his jubilant single “65^th & Ingleside,” one of four singles released in ‘one fell swoop,’ Chance the Rapper depicts his ‘rags to riches’ story. 

“I could spare a rib to get my baby back.” Initially, that might sound like the corniest pun ever, but it’s absolutely brilliant, and alludes to the Bible.  Furthermore, it’s not the only time that Chance the Rapper mentions ribs on his new single, “65^th & Ingleside.” Following a two-year hiatus, the Grammy-winning Chi-Town rapper returned with four new singles, including “65^th & Ingleside.” As odd as the song title is, Chance is far from the first musician to name a song after a street – it’s far more common than you might think.

“65^th & Ingleside” is a bit off-putting early-on, given the vocal sample (Peter Cottontail believe it or not). That said, the lyrics from the vocal sample that make up the chorus are authentic and fit the message that Chance the Rapper conveys: “There’s a way, out of no way / Swear I know everything’s gonna be okay.” Throughout “65^th & Ingleside,” Chance is turned all the way up, with a high-energy, often melodic approach.  The big picture is that he’s come up big time, as he reminisces back to his days living on 65^th and Ingleside.  There he lived in an apartment owned by his fiancé’s sister, and he was broke.

“Your sister own the house we lived in / On the east side that you rented / Little two flat, inexpensive / Didn’t have a glove to pitch in / I didn’t have a pot to piss in.”

Now, of course, he’s thriving – “A full rack a month, nothing short of my rib.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, “65^th & Ingleside” gives Chance the Rapper another intriguing single.  He gets personal about his circumstances prior to his big break in the music business.  His ‘realness’ – his authenticity – goes a long way.  This is necessarily a perfect record, but you can appreciate his jubilance considering where he came from.

Chance the Rapper • 65^th & Ingleside – Single • Chance the Rapper • Release: 7.19.18

Photo Credit: Chance the Rapper