“Me and Stephen Colbert have been working on a song together, and it’s gonna be released very soon,” he said, speaking DJs Ebro and Laura Stylez during a recently-filmed interview on Hot 97. “He’s amazing. I can’t get that deep into it, but he’s amazing.”
Yesterday, the musician confirmed the release of the new track, announcing via Twitter that it would premiere on tonight’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm EST.
Premiering my new song with @StephenAtHome tomorrow night at 10:35PM CST on @CBS #LSSC #Angels
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) October 26, 2015
Born Chancelor Bennett, Chance began getting major press in 2013 when his unique second mixtape Acid Rap first grabbed the attention of hip-hop fans outside his native city. Using speech-song, a live horn section, and soul-jazz harmonies to distinguish himself from the pack, the 22 year-old rapper has yet to sign a major label deal, and doesn’t even have a debut studio album out. At least for now, he prefers to keep it that way; Bennett has repeatedly told the press he wants to keep the rights to all of his music.
Although showcasing intriguing musicians on their way up was a fixture of The Late Show throughout David Letterman’s tenure, it’s something especially suited for Stephen Colbert. The host tapped young New Orleans keyboardist Jon Batiste — well known in jazz circles, but not a superstar in the mainstream music world any means — to be his in-house bandleader when he began his version of the show, and has already featured brilliant performances from musical guests Kendrick Lamar, The Arcs, and Run the Jewels.
As far as performing music goes, Colbert is not a stranger to singing or collaborating either, having released his own hilarious track Charlene (I’m Right Behind You) and it’s Jack-White-helmed sequel Charlene II (I’m Over You) during his Colbert Report days.
Still, this collaboration should be especially interesting. The comedian has yet to showcase any self-composed music during his tenure as host of The Late Show, and the Chance the Rapper collaboration, whatever it is, will be his first effort.
