Coloring Book

Chance the Rapper's third official mixtape, Coloring Book, was released on May 13, 2016, initially as an Apple Music exclusive before arriving on other streaming services two weeks later. The project is a streaming-only release, with no physical or digital purchase option at launch. It was primarily produced by Chance's group The Social Experiment, alongside Lido and Kaytranada, with additional production from Kanye West, Brasstracks, Francis and the Lights, Metro Boomin, DJ Dahi, and Jake One. The guest list is extensive, including Kanye West, Young Thug, Justin Bieber, 2 Chainz, Kirk Franklin, Future, Lil Yachty, and the Chicago Children's Choir.

Musically, Coloring Book fuses hip-hop with gospel, soul, and jubilant brass, a sound Chance described as 'gospel rap with some good news.' The lyrics celebrate faith, fatherhood, and freedom from the constraints of the rap game, delivered with Chance's signature raspy, energetic flow. The mixtape made history as the first to chart on the US Billboard 200 solely on streams, debuting at number eight with 57,000 equivalent album units from streams alone. It also topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Rap Albums charts.

Critically, Coloring Book received widespread acclaim, with a Metacritic score of 89 out of 100. Pitchfork awarded it a 9.0 and Best New Music, while Rolling Stone called it 'a jubilant, gospel-infused masterpiece.' At the 2017 Grammy Awards, it won Best Rap Album, becoming the first streaming-only album to win a Grammy. It was also nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for 'No Problem.' The mixtape has been certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA, with singles 'No Problem' (3× Platinum) and 'Angels' (Platinum) earning additional certifications.[edit]