Chance the Rapper is embarking on a new and decidedly non-musical enterprise: publishing. The 25-year-old rapper is now the proud owner of the Chicagoist news website.
“I’m extremely excited to be continuing the work of the Chicagoist, an integral local platform for Chicago news, events and entertainment,” he said in a statement, provided to Gothamist
“I look forward to relaunching it and bringing the people of Chicago an independent media outlet focused on amplifying diverse voices and content.”
The snarky local metro blog and many others were shut down in November 2017 by billionaire owner Joe Ricketts after its staff attempted to unionize. Chicagoist and others were rescued in February 2018 by the non-profit WNYC, an arm of New York public radio.
Chance the Rapper purchased the website from WNYC through his own company Social Media LLC. According to Variety, the rapper intends to use the publication to promote “local investigative journalism, diversity, and representation for people of color in media.”
The musician appeared to reference his purchase of the website in his own recent single, “I Might Need Security,” which was released on Thursday along with three other new songs.
“I bought the Chicagoist just to run you racist bitches outta business,” he rapped.
Reps for the rapper did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap.