Chance the Rapper Donates $1 Million to Chicago Public Schools
“This check is a call to action. I’m challenging major companies in Chicago and across the U.S. to donate and take action,” Grammy-winning rapper says
Jeremy Fuster | March 6, 2017 @ 4:23 PM
Last Updated: March 6, 2017 @ 4:24 PM
Chance the Rapper gained fame through word of mouth and strategic collaborations. Data can help other artists do the same.
Hot off his recent Grammy win and with a big North American tour coming up, Chance the Rapper announced Monday that he will be donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools to help with its funding deficit — and has challenged major U.S. companies to follow suit.
Chance (real name Chancelor Bennett) said at the press conference that his donation comes from the ticket sales to his upcoming tour and that it was made possible by the combined efforts of Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and several independent venues and event promoters.
“I’m committed to help Chicago’s children have quality learning experiences that include the arts,” Chance said at a press conference at Westcott Elementary School, located just a few blocks from where he grew up. “As an artist and after-school teacher, I know the arts are invaluable. They teach kids lessons about how small efforts can have big effects and how collaboration can lead to creativity. This check is a call to action. I’m challenging major companies in Chicago and across the U.S. to donate and take action.”
Chance’s donation comes three days after his meeting with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner over plans to address CPS’ $215 million deficit. Rauner has come under fire for vetoing a bill in December that would have provided CPS with that amount, forcing the school district to make deep cuts and freeze school budgets. Chance, a former CPS student, told The Chicago Tribune he was not pleased with the governor’s “vague answers” during their closed-doors meeting.
“I thought that that went a little different than it should have. I’m here ’cause I just want people to do their jobs. And I did speak with the governor,” Chance said. “And you know, the kids are on the table right now. And we spoke for a second, it sounded like we were going to — sounded like we were going somewhere. But it sounds like it’s hinged on passing other bills.”
Rauner, meanwhile, remained positive about the meeting while speaking to reporters.
“I said, ‘It’s an incredible opportunity to change our system. If we stood together, Chance, I have some power. I have power in some ways, you have great power in other ways. If we stood together, worked together to figure this out, I think we could get big things done and I’d be excited to do that with you,” he said.
Chance’s website currently redirects to a banner page calling on the rapper’s fans to help support CPS. You can watch the press conference announcing the donation in the tweet below.
– Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 6, 2017
Inside Grammy Afterparties With Chance the Rapper, Migos, Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, The Weeknd (Photos)
Chance the Rapper celebrated his three Grammys for his streaming-only “Coloring Book” album by rocking out with Migos (“Bad and Boujee”) at the GQ party at the Chateau Marmont on Sunday.
Donato Sardella/Getty Images for GQ
The other "must-hit" was Republic’s bash at Catch, which had a crowd of invitees pouring out onto Melrose Avenue.
Inside, label co-founder /CEO Monte Lipman welcomed Grammy host James Corden and Stevie Wonder. After 1 a.m., Corden was a passing a tray of sushi around his crew.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for GQ
Back at GQ, Chance stood right in the lobby of the Chateau greeting guests as they arrived. In turn, Quincy Jones (center) and GQ Editor-In-Chief Jim Nelson nabbed the man on the cover of this month’s issue for a more private huddle.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for GQ
Katy Perry made a wardrobe change from her “We the People” performance of new hit “Chained to the Rhythm” and cruised through Universal’s soiree downtown before arriving at Chance's victory party.
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Snoop Dogg and Macy Gray surround the host.
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Chance was still in the same blue sweater he wore on the telecast. A grab-your-own hat rack of the Chicago native’s signature “3” cap led to a crowd of clones within a few minutes.
Mikey Glazer
Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd grabbed one of the choice perches in the center of the Chateau courtyard. Morris, who had a breakout moment performing on the telecast, was once rejected from both “American Idol” and “The Voice."
Donato Sardella/Getty Images for GQ
Ty Dolla Sign and Skrillex didn’t put on the “3” hats like everyone else, but they have been on Team Chance. Skrillex performed at Chance’s hometown “Magnificent Colorind Day” festival in Chicago last summer.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for GQ
Before Chance and Migos rocked the living room, DJ Oreo (right) spun fellow windy city phenom Kanye's songs back-to-back for the Chicago-heavy crowd. “Homecoming” and “Runaway” warmed up the room for Migos as rapper Lil Yachty sat on top of the DJ booth.
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Christina Milian and Snoop Dogg were spotted inside GQ, which was presented by YouTube.
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Milian also had her girl squad: The Kanye video dancer who went viral (Teyana Taylor, center) and Milian’s frequent running mate Karrueche Tran -- the woman who ignited the Chris Brown and Soulja Boy celebrity beef boxing match.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for GQ
GQ Publisher Howard Mittman was seen with Eric Ray Davidson -- the man who shoots a ton of the magazine’s celebrity profiles and occasionally moonlights as a cell-phone rescuer from the Chateau pool after rowdy GQ parties.
Meanwhile, over at the Republic party at Catch, The Weeknd and Stevie Wonder were two of the bold-face names packing the rooftop space.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Republic Records
Jason Derulo had been one of the first to arrive, eating dinner in Stevie Wonder’s reserved table before the Motown legend arrived.
Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Republic Records
The Fifth Harmony ladies were on the scene at the Fiji Water-hosted bash: Normani Kordei, Ally Brooke, and Lauren Jauregui.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Republic Records
Here is Jessie J and Joel Madden at Catch.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Republic Records
The crowd included a late-arriving Nicole Scherzinger, who came with Pussycat Doll founder Robin Antin.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Republic Records
Mr. Brainwash, Monte Lipman, and Universal Music Grouup CEO Sir Lucian Grange.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Republic Records
Heidi Klum and David Foster held down a banquette on the east-side patio...
Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Republic Records
...which overlooked this projection onto the Pacific Design Center next door.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Republic Records
Republic Group President Charlie Walk is seen with the much-taller-in-person Afrojack. Once inside, the Ducth producer hung with Jessie Waits, the Vegas nightlife executive responsible for XS and Tryst who is opening up the reported $4-billion Alon project in the next few years.
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Fiji Water
Painted models were camouflaged, passing tequila sodas and Frexeinet Cava throughout the space.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Republic Records
Don’t sleep on Stanaj. The Republic artist's long-awaited EP recently arrived. His showcase packed the Sayer’s Club full of faces like Randy Jackson and Jason Flom before it even got dark out one summer night last August.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Republic Records
Anthony Mackie with Catch owner Mark Birnbaum, Nick Cannon, and model/actress Maya Henry held court in the room that also included Nicole Richie, Skylar Grey, and Aurora.
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Adrien Brody and girlfriend Lara Lieto pose for a pic at Catch.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Republic Records
Grammys night brings together far flung corners of the industry under music's big tent. Here, Texas-based actress and philanthropist Maya Henry nests with French Montana and David Foster, who appreciated The Party Report's suggestion that the Grammys should do a tribute to his '90s film score for "Stealing Home."
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Back off "Bachelor" Nick Viall. Your big nights are Mondays, not Sunday.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Republic Records
Lines of annoyed invited guests were a common issue all over town. This was the scene at Republic. In addition to the Chateau (which was shut down temporarily during the performances), Warner Music’s event at Milk Studios reportedly hit capacity on the early side of the night.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Republic Records
Steve Aoki (with longtime pal DJ Vice on the right) celebrated the globe-trotting music mogul's Netflix doc "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" at Bootsy Bellows.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
At the Warner Block Party, Spencer Ludwig was one of three headliners, playing with Kehlani and Gallant. NFL QB Russell Wilson, Katharine McPhee, and Rita Ora mixed and mingled as the Rémy Martin flowed.
Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images
At Warners, the Black Eyed Peas were one Fergie short of a reunion: Taboo, apl.de.ap, and will.i.am.
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From Adele to Beyonce, check out TheWrap's ranking of Grammy Performances from Best to Worst:
Star-packed bashes overflowed past capacity after the 2017 Grammys, from The Party Report’s Mikey Glazer
Chance the Rapper celebrated his three Grammys for his streaming-only “Coloring Book” album by rocking out with Migos (“Bad and Boujee”) at the GQ party at the Chateau Marmont on Sunday.