Star Line marks a new era of transformation and personal growth for Chance the Rapper while often feeling self-conscious and shallow. Chance previously managed an image as a philanthropist, a man of God, a Chicago indie rap figure, entrepreneur, father, and husband. The Big Day in 2019 celebrated faith, institutional success, and marriage but lacked depth, prompting public mockery and memeification. A long-time friend advised Chance to write down unfiltered thoughts during Los Angeles sessions, encouraging greater vulnerability. He turned 30, travelled to Ghana, studied Kwame Nkrumah, deepened his bond with Blackness and the diaspora, and named the album after Marcus Garvey's Black Star Line.
He was a philanthropist, a man of God, a Chicago indie rap giant with the blessing of his idol, a snapback entrepreneur, a happy father, and an even happier husband. Then came 2019's disastrous The Big Day, a jubilant and righteous celebration of his faith, institutional success, and marriage, with very little depth or detail. In a matter of months, the public took control of Chance's image and transformed him from Renaissance man to meme.
"Sometimes it feels like you're holding back," a long-time friend told Chance in Los Angeles writing sessions, not long after dropping The Big Day, his first solo project to receive widespread public and critical scrutiny. "Specifically on what you speak on and what you want to touch on in your music." "Well, yeah, I'm a whole fuckin' dad," he responded, feeling the pressure. "I'm a husband. I'm a pillar of the community."
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