Photo by Jonathan Farber on Unsplash
By Dakota Hornak, Staff Writer
On April 8, 2020, Tom Cridland aired the first episode of “The Greatest Music of All Time Podcast,” which has become a pandemic favorite for many. Now with over 316 episodes available on all streaming platforms and filmed for YouTube, Cridland interviews different musicians about their experiences in life and the music industry. As someone who rarely listens to podcasts, I decided to take it upon myself to review this for music and podcast lovers alike.
Chancelor Bennett, better known as Chance the Rapper, appeared on episode 26 where he brought up current topics that resonate with many people. Bennett focused his discussion on innovating the normality that holds us back.
“We all just work and work and work,” Bennett said of the mindset we as a country force ourselves into; living to work as opposed to working to live.
As someone who relies on scholarships and extra jobs to live, this specific topic struck a chord with me. As an artist and someone who has interests that may seem “useless” to others, joy through experience opposed to joy through money is my idea of living, and maybe even your idea of it as well.
As far as music, Bennett talked about how his style and his path in his career is completely unique to the industry. He and his friends go into his studio and freestyle, speaking freely, leaving editing until the end. Shocking his peers such as Regina Spektor, his approach to recording is what makes his music feel even more realistic.
Bennett also discussed how he grew such a large following as an independent artist. He relied on social media early in his career to release his art, eventually moving on to his more well-known work such as his mixtape “Coloring Book.”
As a college student and artist, this podcast inspired me and made me feel less alone in these kinds of thoughts. I highly recommend looking into this episode and the other amazing artists featured on the podcast.
