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When Chance the Rapper announced Monday that he would hold a press conference about the mayor's election in Chicago, his fans played in front and tried to figure out what he was trying to do. make.
The rapper and rising citizen leader from Chatham – from a family with political power – placed his name and celebrity behind everything from arts funding for Chicago's public schools to opposition to the new training center of Police and firefighters of the city. And with a city hall race open in Chicago and an enigmatic tweet on Monday that referred to his words: "They shouted Chano for the mayor / I think maybe I should," everything seemed possible.
Instead, he formally approved Amara Enyia, political advisor and deputy mayor.
"Chicago needs a new leadership," Chance told reporters at a press conference at City Hall Tuesday with Enyia.
Yet he sees himself as the muscle man: "I would like to say very narcissistically, if I support you, you have a chance, absolutely," he added.
READ MORE: Luck the rapper brings his star power to a long-running campaign, supporting Amara Enyia for Mayor of Chicago
The philanthropic rapper also promised that the city would experience "the highest voter turnout from 18 to 25 voters in Chicago history."
Enyia said his candidacy "is part of a broader movement for people who are clamoring for a different type of city. There is much more to come. "
But does this future include the chance to run for the office? He told reporters: "I will probably never be a mayor candidate for this city."
What he prepares for the stage is unclear. But here are five things to know about Chance, the self-proclaimed "political strategist" for Chicago.
1. Chance of the endorser
Although Enyia's approval by Chance may have surprised some, she and Chance are on the same side of the city's divisive issues.
"We never have a real activist," said the rapper, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett.
Enyia, director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, participated in the mayoral race in August. She went to the city hall in 2015 before giving up and joining Ald. The candidacy of Mayor Bob Fioretti.
"We think it's our chance to come out – no pun intended – from the status quo," Enyia said Tuesday.
It would probably take much more than Chance's approval for Enyia to become a leader. And he did not invest in his campaign.
"I do not have it yet but we will see," he said. "I have a lot of money."
2. Luck the rebel
Chance said Tuesday that some candidates had sought approval.
Chance's father, Ken Bennett – who served as Obama administration official and director of public engagement with Mayor Rahm Emanuel – approved Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle.
But when asked about Preckwinkle, Chance replied, "Are you asking me why I'm not on my father's side? … I think that Amara is the most qualified candidate. As far as my father is concerned, it's my family and at the end of the day, I will always love my father … but that has nothing to do with what I consider the future of Chicago. "
3. Luck the CPS charity
On Monday, Chance, who raised millions of dollars for CPS with its nonprofit organization SocialWorks, released a new video to encourage Lyft runners to round up their tickets and donate to Chicago's public schools.
"I'm only 25, but I bet I'll have a statue in my hometown when I die," Chance said in the video.
In March 2017, he gave the district a check for one million dollars.
In March 2017, Chance met with Governor Bruce Rauner to discuss public education and said "a little troubled" and disappointed to have received "a lot of vague answers" while the two men were discussing SPC funding from the state.
4. Luck the activist
Last year, Chance testified at City Hall with #NoCopAcademy organizers against Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to spend $ 95 million for the construction of a new police training academy and firefighters in the neighborhood of West Garfield Park.
The measure was adopted despite his protests.
Luck also spoke on Twitter about the murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, committed by the police in 2014, tweeting "16 blows and cover-up" after Jason Van Dyke was convicted of second degree murder.
5. Luck the editor?
In July, Chance acquired Chicagoist, the current blog closed by billionaire founder and owner of the Cubs, Joe Ricketts, after the staff members voted in favor of unionization.
In a piece titled "I Might Need Need Security", Chance called Emanuel to announce that he "had bought the Chicagoist just to make you look like a racist … b —— bankrupt".
Some wondered how a rapper whose team had threatened to end their relationship after uncritical criticism would run an information site.
Asked Tuesday about the site still closed, Chance replied: "I do not want to talk about the Chicagoist."
Twitter @morgreene
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