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Watch Chance The Rapper's Instant-Classic Grammy Performance

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 13, 2017 4:55AM

We were led to expect “something we’ll be talking about for years to come” from Chance the Rapper’s performance at the 59th Grammy Awards, and for those who have closely watched his remarkable rise, that wasn’t really an overstatement. After racking up not one, not two, but three wins among seven total nominations, Chance brought gospel stars Kirk Franklin and Tamela Mann, plus Cousin Nicole (!) for a soul-stirring rendition of Coloring Book highlights “How Great” and “All We Got,” plus brief hints of “No Problem” and “Blessings.

Although he had the unenviable task of having to follow both this and this, it was a standout performance all its own, buoyed by a full orchestra and 20-piece choir.

Chance has had a few moments in recent months that felt like defining capstone achievements to his meteoric rise, from performing at the White House in December to spearheading his own festival in September. The Grammys performance felt among the most major of those triumphs—and certainly the most nationally visible.

Earlier in the night, Chance took home awards for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance ("No Problem") and Best Rap Album (Coloring Book).

All in all, not too shabby a night for Lil Chano from 79th.