14,400 minutes to lose interest or make history

I have this weird ongoing issue with someone that I used to like, and I had this laughable moment in my day where I predicted we wouldn’t talk for 10 days or more, and when I said that, I made the joke about how “well Chance made history in 10 days so why can’t I lose interest in someone in 10 days”. It instantly hit me that I use the 10-day reference a lot in my life, and it always comes back to Chance The Rapper, for good reasons of course. They said it takes 10 days to start breaking an addiction. I’m learning it’s taking 10 days to start losing interest in someone, and Chance taught us it takes 10 days to make your dreams become a reality. To vent, sometimes I use what I know best, which is writing so I wanted to take some of my frustration to actually champion one of my favorite artists, Chance The Rapper, in all of his accomplishments and accolades since the start of his story laid the foundation for the start of his flourishing career. It still inspires me to this very day as I’m sure many others have shared that same sentiment too.

As most may know the story, but for those uncultured swines, Chance was suspended from school for smoking on campus and was given a 10 days suspension, for which he created his first mixtape titled after his suspension timeframe (10 Days). The project still holds weight as the blueprint for those with creative dreams to take whatever time they have to make it happen. Each track on “10 Day” feels like a piece of Chance’s journey, capturing the energy of his youth and his talent for finding light in a dark moment. The production on the tape was curated by the likes of Peter Cottontale, Chuck Inglish, Blended Babies, DJ SuchNSuch, MF Love, Flying Lotus, THEMPeople, Caleb James & Lex Luger. This mixtape is a testament to his ability to turn personal moments into universal stories, inspiring listeners to transform their own setbacks into something meaningful.

My appreciation for 10 Days shines through where I can ramble on for hours about the art but I captured many of the project’s standout moments for me to share briefly with y’all. Starting with the intro, “14,400 Minutes,” we hear Chance diving into the pivotal afternoon that set his path—a time that could’ve held him back but catapulted him into creative overdrive. That eccentric, unique sound instantly engages us directly into Chance’s world, where introspection meets bold experimentation. “Nostalgia” and “Windows” showcase his lyrical skill and vision, with collaborators like Alex Wiley and Akenya adding layers to his sound. I’ve lost many brain cells listening to “Brain Cells” due to the recreational activity that put him in the situation he was it and funny enough it got me suspended from high school but my time was wasted trying to hide the fact I wasn’t at school from my parents (long story meant for another time). The record is a memorable track, mixing wit with introspection, where Chance grapples with his personal struggles. The Flying Lotus-produced “22 Offs” is a remarkable addition to the project, giving Chance the space to show his knack for combining fresh beats with genuine, unfiltered bars. “Family,” his first of many collab with Vic Mensa, marks the beginning of a powerful partnership that would go on to shape Chicago’s hip-hop scene. “Long Time II” has had a profound impact on me, becoming a source of strength, during those hard times I endure. And the outro, “Hey Ma”, is a beautiful, heartfelt tribute—one that resonates with anyone who’s been touched by a mother’s love, making it my ideal track for Mother’s Day. One of the things that makes this project personal to me is the space of listening to it on my own and doing all of his adlibs and dance spasms he’s known to do, which are my little moments to goof off and can be seen quite often. Chance The Rapper’s “10 Day” mixtape is more than just his debut project; it’s a snapshot of resilience and creative ambition. Created during that ten-day suspension from school, the mixtape captures Chance turning a disciplinary setback into an artistic breakthrough. The project’s rawness and introspective lyrics set it apart, showing his early ability to blend personal storytelling with infectious beats. The tracks reveal the budding artist’s struggles, dreams, and reflections, delivering an authentic slice of teenage introspection. What makes it so memorable is the context behind it. This wasn’t just a mixtape; it was Chance’s way of turning frustration into something positive, paving the way for others with creative dreams. His decision to create during a challenging time transformed what could have been a forgettable consequence into a defining career move. Today, the project stands as a beacon of hope for young creatives like myself, a reminder that dull moments can be diamonds in disguise when seen through the right lens.

For someone who still puts everything into their dream, I come back to this story with hope and determination to know it’s possible. I’m sure Chance didn’t think this would be the start of his monumental career, and when looking at it, it continues to provide hope, especially on those days when it seems like everything you are doing isn’t working or you’ve reached your limit. I’ve always wanted to write about the fact that Chance’s story is something I always look at often, and I have to thank the girl who sparked the reason for me to write about it now. (I'm not interested anymore). To end this the best way I believe it should be, I will end how he did on “Hey Ma” by thanking the mothers of all the people who helped him bring his project to life, so I wanna thank, Chancelor Bennet's mother, for giving us an artist that we still look up to, a Grammy award winning idol from the Windy City that changed our lives and made a rising Texas native eventually be the person I am today.

Thank you