Charles Breaux C Breaux

Released in 2013, "Acid Rap" is the second mixtape by American rapper Chance the Rapper, following his debut "10 Day." Recorded in various Chicago studios between 2012 and 2013, the project featured a diverse array of producers and guest artists, including prominent figures from Chicago's Savemoney crew and beyond. The mixtape was initially promoted with two singles, "Juice" and "Acid Rain," and was made available as a free digital download. It achieved significant commercial success, charting on multiple Billboard lists and garnering over a million downloads on DatPiff, leading to a "diamond" certification. The mixtape was later re-released on streaming services in 2019, with a 10th-anniversary edition offering previously unavailable content.

Chance the Rapper, whose birth name is Chancellor Bennett, has spoken about the role of LSD in the creation of "Acid Rap," describing it as a significant but not overwhelming influence, noting it served more as a "booster" or "fuel" and an allegory rather than the sole subject. He contrasted "Acid Rap" with his previous work, "10 Day," characterizing it as a more music-focused project rather than a narrative-driven one, though still touching upon his experiences after high school and with LSD. The distinctive "acid jazz" sound is attributed to collaborations across various musical genres. The mixtape's cover art, designed by Brandon Breaux, was inspired by a photograph taken at the South by Southwest festival.

The creation of "Acid Rap" involved a conscious exploration of altered states of consciousness, with Chance the Rapper acknowledging the use of LSD during its recording. He clarified that while "30 to 40 percent acid" was involved, it was not the sole or primary driver, describing it as a "booster" and an allegory for the tape's themes rather than a literal depiction. This philosophical approach extended to the music itself, which Bennett characterized as more music-based than story-based, a departure from his earlier work. He aimed to create a collection of compelling songs that captured his experiences transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, including his engagement with LSD. The resulting sound, often described as "acid jazz," emerged from a collaborative effort involving musicians and producers from diverse genres, reflecting Bennett's desire to bring together various artistic influences to create a cohesive and impactful project.

The mixtape was meticulously crafted in Chicago studios, drawing on a wide spectrum of production talent. Key figures like Peter Cottontale, Nate Fox, and Cam O'bi were instrumental in shaping the project's distinct sonic identity. Cottontale, in particular, is credited for infusing a significant jazz sensibility, earning the description of a "sick jazz pianist." The production team also included notable contributors such as Stefan Ponce, Ceej of Two-9, Nosaj Thing, and Ludwig Göransson, among others. This collaborative environment allowed for the integration of varied musical styles, contributing to the album's characteristic "acid jazz" sound. The visual aspect of the mixtape was equally considered, with Brandon Breaux designing the cover art, which was inspired by a serendipitous photograph taken at the South by Southwest festival, further cementing the project's artistic vision.

"Acid Rap" was released on April 30, 2013, as a free digital download, a deliberate choice by Chance the Rapper who prioritized live performance and merchandise over direct sales of recorded music. This strategy, coupled with the mixtape's critical acclaim, led to its widespread popularity. It debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and topped several other charts, including Top Rap Albums. The project received widespread critical praise, earning an average score of 86 from Metacritic and appearing on numerous year-end best-of lists from publications like Spin and Rolling Stone. Its cultural impact was further recognized when President Barack Obama included the song "Acid Rain" on his summer playlist. The mixtape's enduring legacy is underscored by its re-release on streaming services in 2019 and its consistent reappearance on lists of significant hip-hop albums, including a ranking on Rolling Stone's greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

“There was a lot of acid involved in Acid Rap. I mean, it wasn't too much – I'd say it was about 30 to 40 percent acid... more so 30 percent acid.”

“It wasn't the biggest component at all. It was something that I was really interested in for a long time during the making of the tape, but it's not necessarily a huge factor at all. It was more so just a booster, a bit of fuel. It's an allegory to acid, more so than just a tape about acid.”

“People that I worked with on other projects from multiple genres just came together to make a dope tape.”

“Peter Cottontale is a really sick jazz pianist.”

“Acid Rap is just a whole different monster; it's me as an adult making great music instead of a kid trying to explain a story. It's less of a conceptual project. It's still very cohesive, storytelling-wise, and its own project. But it's more music-based than story-based this time. I'm still telling the story of what it's like coming out of high school, not going to college, and my experience with LSD. The new music that I started listening to has got a really heavy Acid Jazz base to it. It's just really good songs; it's a collection of great songs, which is exactly what #10Day is. But it's more of just a really good album than a story.”