Chance the Rapper Talks LeBron Being the G.O.A.T., Working With Kanye, and More on Ebro In The Morning

Chance the Rapper appeared on 'Ebro in the Morning' and talked about LeBron James, Kanye West, Taylor Bennett, and more.

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Chance the Rapper appeared on Ebro in the Morning on HOT 97 Friday ahead of his performance at The Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City Friday night.

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As expected, there were a number of highlights from the fascinating interview, including Chance’s thoughts on the NBA’s G.O.A.T. (LeBron, from his perspective), his viewpoint on the reaction to his brother coming out as bisexual, his work with Kanye West, and much more.

So, how does Chance defend his belief that LeBron James is the greatest basketball player ever, which he claimed on The View?

“You’ve got be a certain type of basketball nostalgia fanatic to not fully respect LBJ,” Chance said.

Chance said it’s a generational thing, but another part of it is that LeBron is a great person.

“I feel like LeBron James is an amazing basketball player, but he’s also a community person,” Chance said.

Chance also called Fox Sports 1 commentator Jason Whitlock “an idiot” for Whitlock’s comments about James and racism.

There were plenty of both light-hearted and serious moments throughout the interview. At the 17:20 mark, Chance discussed his brother, Taylor Bennett, coming out on social media.

“We honestly didn’t talk about it until after he put it out on Twitter,” Chance said. “So that’s one of, I think, the coolest parts about the advancements of social media…we have the closest bond I have with anybody on this earth just because he’s my brother. We’re the same dude, we do all the same things.”

Chance said they were together with their family on vacation in Malibu when the news surfaced. He said he liked that Taylor could tell everybody via the internet and blunt the impact of having to go to his family and have that conversation, and then repeatedly have the conversation with others. Chance said he thinks Taylor did the right thing. Chano additionally said he didn't try to give his younger brother any advice because they're both adults.

Chance also talked about his involvement in The Life of Pablo and said he was in the studio for all the songs he has writing credits on. He said he advocated for Kanye leaving in the controversial “bleached asshole” line on “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1.” He also said he doesn’t care about Kanye’s political views and won’t let Yeezy's involvement with Donald Trump strain their relationship.

“The last time I saw Kanye West, my daughter was hanging out with his son,” Chance said. “I don't care about his political affiliations; I wouldn't bring up Donald Trump. The 'bleached asshole' I do care about, and I pushed for it.”

Chance said his belief in that line has been validated by audience reaction to the track—they always shout out the “bleached asshole” line.

Chance said he introduced Kanye and Francis from Francis and the Lights while they were working together on Coloring Book, and Francis and Ye are now working together on Ye's next album.

Chance called Kendrick Lamar and Drake “full-on O.G.s” and said he looks up to them and respects them.

“I've learned from both of them, up close and from afar,” Chance said, adding that Damn included a bunch of elements (e.g. certain vocal effects) Chance had never considered playing with. 

These are just a few of the many interesting moments from this interview. Chance also discusses Chicago politics, the nature of social media, Obama being his mentor, Lil Yachty, Donald Glover, and much more. Stream the full interview above.

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