Chance the Rapper announces new album 'Star Line'
Chance the Rapper and visual artist Brandon Breaux via Keeley Parenteau

Chance the Rapper announces new album 'Star Line'

Today, Chance the Rapper officially announced the upcoming release of his next album, Star Line, out August 15. The new record features another collaboration with long-time producer DexLVL. The official tracklist has yet to be revealed.

Chance also shared the first single off Star Line, the soulful, anthemic track "Tree", featuring Lil Wayne and Smino, as well as a prominent sample of R&B legend India.Arie’s famous song, “Video".

Watch the video — self-directed by Chance — below:

Using surrealist motifs and symbolism, "Tree" was inspired by Chance's mother, as well as the path to Black liberation through community-building, challenging the inequities of the agricultural industry, and remaining resilient in the face of struggle. The setting of a Black-owned dispensary and growing center attempts to reclaim cannabis as a symbol of peace and healing, according to a press release.

In Star Line — a reference to Marcus Garvey's shipping enterprise, the Black Star Line — Chance the Rapper reflects on his recent journeys to Ghana, Jamaica, and other places over the world while attending art fairs. Still firmly rooted in his Chicago origins, it blends hip-hop, soul, R&B, and more experimental work with a meditative, more spiritual lyric motif.

Star Line cover art via Brandon Breaux

Star Line is out August 15. Pre-order here.

Victoria Borlando

New York, NY

freelance music journalist

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