Grammy-winning Chi-town rapper Chance the Rapper continues his stellar return with “Work Out,” getting personal, but maintaining good, positive vibes.  

“Today I missed my workout, but it worked out / Now I’m missing work now, but it worked out.” Preach! Grammy-winning rapper Chance the Rapper has come alive in July 2018, releasing four, streaming-only singles simultaneously.  In my personal sequence of reviewing, “Work Out” marks the third single, following winners with “I Might Need Security” and “65th & Ingleside”.  As you might imagine, there’s no drop off on “Work Out.”

“Work Out” features a jazz-soul backdrop, featuring upright bass and electric piano.  The vibes are smooth and uplifting, fitting for a rapper like Chance. The chorus, which appears at the top of the record, is both catchy and thoughtful.  Continuing from the aforementioned excerpt:

“Had to buy a crib, ‘fore I bought my first house / Had my first kid, I love how she turned out / I love how she turned up, even if I’m burned out / I’ma have so many seeds, I could have a birdhouse / Send my love on they mama, I hope it work out / I hope it work out.”

Life didn’t work out exactly the way Chance the Rapper hoped or thought it would, but now, ‘it’s all good.’ His rhymes are potent, approaching “Work Out” in an agile pop-, melodic-rap approach. Francis and the Lights provide an assist on the second verse, alongside Chance that’s clearly melodic, contrasting the first verse as well as the third. Throughout, he uses terrific wordplay, including a superb reference to Usher: “I don’t want my next album sounding all Usher-y / But I must Confess, I must confess.” On the third verse, he’s passionate about marriage and being a good husband.

“If we read the wrong one, we could re-jump the broom / If we read the wrong one, baby we jump the groom / I’m ready to be groomed / I’m ready to assume, the position is filled…”

Final Thoughts

Chance the Rapper is ‘on,’ period.  He’s got bars, vibes – “it works out.”

Chance the Rapper • Work Out – Single • Chance the Rapper • Release: 7.19.18

Photo Credit: Chance the Rapper