Chance the Rapper Debuts ‘Child of God’ and ‘Contemporary Art Project’ in Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art

The “Cocoa Butter Kisses” musician lent his artistic vision to an exciting, new, and hopefully “inspiring” project. Chance the Rapper and artist Naïla Opiangah partnered to create the “Child of God” project, debuting the illustration in Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

Rapper Chance the Rapper and artist Naïla Opiangah created the multi-medium ‘Child of God’ art exhibit

Some know this artist for songs like “No Problem” and “All Night.” In addition to being a world-class musician, Chance the Rapper is known for his philanthropy. 

He founded the non-profit SocialWorks and supported and empowered Chicago youth through his music. Recently, the artist partnered with Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art to create “Child of God” with Naïla Opiangah.

“Child of God is a candid representation of the exchanges between two creatives of different artistic backgrounds, mediums, and platforms. It’s a visualization of our mirrored experience,” Chance the Rapper and Naïla Opiangah wrote.

‘Child of God’ is available for viewing at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art until March 29

As a multi-medium project, Opiangah created a 6 feet wide by 11 feet tall painting. Chance the Rapper documented and directed the process. In March 2022, this work became available for public viewing.

According to a statement, “Child of God” is “an illustration of the growing discourse on freedom and agency of artists in a very limiting arts and music industry. It’s the beautiful product of a genuine collaboration between artists responding to and building off of each other, without being circumscribed to predetermined rules and structures.”

While Chance the Rapper explained that he wanted people to feel “inspired” by “Child of God,” Opiangah said, “I hope there are two things that happen. I want them to feel the work for what it is: the texture, the colors, the density, the emotions. I also want them to see the possibilities.”

Chance the Rapper released ‘Child of God’ on most music platforms

In addition to directing the “Child of God” video, Chance the Rapper created a new song of the same title. He released the track in March 2022. This new single features Ghanian-American musician Moses Sumney and earned thousands of Spotify plays. 

“The song is so much about process,” Chance said. “It’s a meta song. The first few bars open up with me trying to hype myself up and talk about how skilled I am at wordplay while doing a bunch of wordplay. Then the first verse finishes with me talking about this blind faith walk that gets me to where I’m trying to be —despite the odds.”

This musician debuted the official “Child of God” music video on YouTube, sharing clips of the creative process behind this art exhibit. Of course, this production coincides with the “Child of God” painting. 

The display remains available at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art through March 29. To learn more, visit the museum’s website.