Grammy-winning rapper Chance the Rapper has opened up about his past struggles with drug abuse and how he turned his life around.
In an interview with Complex, the 29-year-old star shared that he was using a lot of drugs, especially acid (LSD) while making his 2013 mixtape Acid Rap, which made him famous.
“I probably would’ve died,” he said. “Definitely the way that I was livin’ at that time, I had everything in excess. Right after I dropped the project, I went on a few tours where I didn’t really make any money.”
He added that he rented a crib in another city and did “a lot, a lot, a lot of drugs” and became “a different person, like a lesser person than I am now.”
Chance the Rapper said that he decided to change his ways when he found his “calling to become a better version of myself”. He said that he stopped doing drugs and focused on his music, his faith, and his family.
He also credited his wife Kirsten Corley, whom he married in 2019, for helping him overcome his addiction.
“She’s been there for me since before I was who I am,” he said. “She’s always been supportive and loving and understanding.”
Today, Chance the Rapper is not only a successful musician but also a philanthropist and an activist. He has donated millions of dollars to Chicago public schools, founded a non-profit organization called SocialWorks, and supported various causes such as criminal justice reform, mental health awareness, and gun violence prevention.
He is also a proud father of two daughters, Kensli and Marli, whom he calls his “biggest blessings”. He said that being a dad has taught him to be more responsible and compassionate.
“I love my kids more than anything in the world,” he said. “They make me happy every day.”
The interview was part of Complex’s series celebrating the 10th anniversary of Acid Rap, which was released on April 30, 2013.