Chance the Rapper is no stranger to collaborations.
He gained fame with “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” a song he made with Vic Mensa and Twista. Since then, he’s released an album with The Social Experiment and a mixtape with Lil B, while simultaneously being featured on the songs of other artists, like Childish Gambino and Action Bronson.
Most recently, Chance and Noname Gypsy dropped a new track “Israel (Sparring).”
This is the third track on which the two Chicago artists collaborated. On Acid Rap, released in 2013, they made “Lost,” and they worked on “Warm Enough” together along with Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment (SoX) and J. Cole for the album “Surf.” The evolution of their collaborations since 2013 aligns with the development of each artist.
In “Lost,” heavily produced drum beats and bass by Nate Fox, drug references, Chance’s signature grunt “AGH!” and raps dominate the song. These characteristics are the basis of the “Acid Rap” era. However, smooth guitar notes and sing-song voices done by Chance and Noname Gypsy are strung throughout the song too. At her hook, Noname Gypsy’s spoken word is so beautifully passionate that I can feel her body language by solely listening to her voice.

“Warm Enough” begins with sounds in nature and a chorus comparable to Portishead. Noname Gypsy’s smooth voice is abruptly interrupted with her fast-pace spoken poetry. This track is a sharp contrast to “Lost,” due to SoX’s live instrumentals. Donnie trumpet of SoX shows off his trumpet work, which is a distinctive mark of Chance’s work with SoX.

“Israel (Sparring)” shows Noname Gypsy’s influence on Chance. His verses are better classified as spoken word poetry — a talent she excels at — than rap. Both artists have very little inflection in their voices, perhaps conveying a serious tone. After all, the song is about Jacob in Old Testament. Biblical undertones aren’t anything novel for the duo. “Warm enough” references God, Mary and Joseph, and many of Chance’s other songs, like “Sunday Candy,” are affected by Christianity.

Chance shares a special moment with his fans with the line, “Said one plus one make three, and you finna see.” Nearly a month ago, he announced that he is expecting a baby. Family is another reference that’s mentioned in many of Chance’s songs. Since his first mixtape “10 Day,” family matters have played an important role in his music. Family itself is like another artist that Chance collaborates with because it influences his style as such.
Chance’s many collaborations have played a major role in his music. But of all his collaborations, one thing’s for sure: Chance x Noname Gypsy is a match made in Heaven.