“ It wasn't until I left that I realised it's not weird to grow up in certain cities and, by the age of 27 or 28, for all of your friends to still be alive. I can think of a lot of kids that I knew in Chicago who were supposed to grow up but didn't. ”

“ 'Chance the Rapper' is many things. I'm constantly evolving. ”

“ Both of my parents graduated from high school, both attended college, both have government jobs now. They've always been very adamant about me finishing high school and finishing college. ”

“ When you're a Chicago artist, to play Lollapalooza, that's not a normal thing. It's artists on a path to a certain place that do that. Chief Keef did it Kids These Days did it Cool Kids did it. And I'm the next Cool-Kids-Chief, if you will. ”

“ One of the first times I ever performed in front of a big group of people was at my kindergarten graduation. I did, like, a Michael Jackson impersonation as, like, a five year old. I had the suit and blazer, the glove and the fedora, and I just performed a whole Michael Jackson song. I'm sure it was 'Smooth Criminal.' ”

“ I think it's so dope that I'm here in Chicago and contributing to the music scene that's thriving. People are so happy Chicago's shining that everyone is willing to say 'I represent Chicago.' That wasn't always the case. ”

“ I made the decision that I was going to make rap music in, like, fourth grade, so it's been something I was saying for a long time. ”

“ Fame or perceived success - it all comes from groupthink. ”