Chance The Rapper Releases 4 New Songs & Explains Why He Bought A News Site (Audio)

Chance The Rapper is making headlines once again, and per usual, if it’s not for his music, then it’s for his effort to further uplift Black culture within the public eye. Last week, Chance the Rapper spoke with the The Chicago Tribune to reveal his upcoming album will be a collaboration with Kanye West. This week, Chance made a power move and announced he is now the proud owner of the WNYC’s city-centric publication, The Chicagoist. He also released four new songs.

On one of Chance’s newest singles, “I Might Need Security,” which dropped Thursday at midnight ET, the rapper says: “I bought the Chicagoist just to run you racist b*tches outta business.” Chance The Rapper released a statement to confirm the acquisition: “I’m extremely excited to be continuing the work of The Chicagoist, an integral local platform for Chicago news, events and entertainment… I look forward to relaunching it and bringing the people of Chicago an independent media outlet focused on amplifying diverse voices and content.”

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The Gothamist was a publication with a branch of eight city-oriented websites, including The Chicagoist, with focus on local happenings of food, city life and culture. In March of 2017, Gothamist was purchased by Joe Ricketts of DNAinfo, and in November 2017, The Gothamist and all city-related websites were shut down after staff voted to unionize and join the Writers Guild Of America East. In February of 2018, New York Public Radio’s WNYC purchased Gothamist and acquired its social media accounts, website archives, and a handful of small sister sites, including Chicagoist. Chance The Rapper purchased Chicagoist from WNYC under his newly formed Social Media LLC, which is promised to promote ethical journalism and diversity in the media.

“We are delighted that the Chicagoist assets are finding a new home in the hands of a proud Chicagoan,” Laura Walker, president and CEO of New York Public Radio, said in a statement released this morning.

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No word yet on when the Chicagoist will begin operating under Chance’s Social Media management, but the Windy City publication is undoubtedly in careful hands. Chance the Rapper’s newest batch of songs – “I Might Need Security,” “Work Out,” “65th & Ingleside” and “Wala Cam” — are available now on all major streaming platforms.

Each minimal single cover was created by artist Brandon Breaux.