Culture, Community and Pure Energy: Chance the Rapper’s Houston Show Reaffirms His Legacy
Chance the Rapper kicked off his And We Back tour in Houston on Friday, Sep. 26. This was a celebration of music, of culture, of community, and proof that Chance remains one of the best live rappers you'll ever see.
From the first track, the stage itself was alive. Chance's visuals were as trippy as they were intentional, bending color and shape to match the arc of the music. Add in his vibey dance moves—sometimes goofy, sometimes smooth—and the atmosphere became electric, almost spiritual.
Eventually, a massive light box framed the set, shifting with each mood. At times, it flashed strobes synced perfectly to his vocal stems, amplifying the punch of every rhyme. Later, as the night turned more emotional, that same box erupted in flames—an image so raw and powerful it burned into memory.
(Photo credit: Maddy Myer)
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However, what set this show apart from so many others was the energy of his appreciation. Chance has a unique affection for his fans. He doesn't just perform to them, he performs with them. His banter felt personal, his gratitude was genuine, and his call-and-response moments were deeper than mere hype. And when he dedicated stretches of the set to Black culture and women, it felt less like performance and more like testimony, uplifting the whole crowd.
(Photo credit: Maddy Myer)
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The setlist threaded together his sharpest verses with songs that leaned into his actually singing ability, a reminder that his artistry isn't confined to bars. His vocals soared, layered with meaningful lyrics that had the crowd swaying one minute and shouting every word the next.
By the end of the night, Houston had witnessed not just the launch of a tour, but the reaffirmation of Chance the Rapper's singular place in hip-hop: a performer who can deliver bars with precision, visuals with vision and gratitude with heart.
For more on our reviews of unforgettable live music, click HERE to check out what we thought of Benson Boone on his American Heart tour.