Song Analysis

[Jeremih:]
I believe that if I fly, I’ll prolly end up somewhere in paradise
I believe that if I fly, I’ll prolly end up somewhere in paradise

[Chance The Rapper:]
Chancelor the rapper, Chatham the hood
Sin of the children, had to bag up the goods
They say I’m saving my city, say I’m staying for good
They screaming Chano for mayor, I’m thinking maybe I should
a few A&R’s, told ’em man I can’t wife you
Told you since day one, I don’t like like labels or titles
I’m a rascally rabbit, I know that tricks is for addicts
That need fixes for habits, along with carrots and cabbage
I’m a savage, established bad girl magnet, I’m magic
Your majesty, I’m majestic, I think my message is massive
Think you passive aggressive, I think you passed up your prime
Think you passed up your chance to be Chance now pass it to A-Rap
I should have rhymed it with rhyme ain’t we been here before
Ain’t my principal told me that I can’t rap at that show
Then I rapped at that show, simple as that
Got a complex from Complex off of the simplest raps
And it goes…

[Chance The Rapper:]
Fannin’ the fire, hands is up higher
Cannot believe it, damn I’m a rider
Riding on twenties, twenty years prior, I couldn’t buy a
Forget it you get it, God is so awesome, devil’s a liar
Take ‘em to church but I need a choir

[Jeremih:]
I believe that if I fly, prolly end up somewhere in paradise
I believe that if I fly, I’ll prolly end up somewhere in paradise

[Chance The Rapper:]
Blow out your speakers, roll some more loud
That’s the sound of the reefer, I think my parents is proud
Thank my fans in the bleachers, think my teachers need features
I think I’m walking with Jesus, I knew my feet wouldn’t drown
I been close to the edge, I been tripping and stuff
Somebody slipped me a mickey, but I ain’t giving a fuck
Really, a milli, how ‘bout six billion more
Or I’m outie like how’d he cut that umbilical cord
As I smoke in this Uber suburban dressed in an Urban Outfitters
Shirt and burgundy pair of Jordans
I asked the acid if words were worth worrying over
Her explanation seemed agitated
She said let me answer your question with some questions questioning yours
Like why the devil can’t get you?
And why these labels can’t catch you?
And why’d he make you so special, why did he bless you?
Think about it
I woke up this morning
I woke up this morning
Gotta smile when I say that, I woke up this morning

[Chance The Rapper:]
Fannin’ the fire, hands is up higher
Cannot believe it, damn I’m a rider
Riding on twenties, twenty years prior, I couldn’t buy a
Forget it you get it, God is so awesome, devil’s a liar
Take ‘em to church but I need a choir

[R. Kelly:]
I believe, I believe, there’s somewhere out there for us all, there’s a paradise (there is a paradise)
I believe that if I die, I’ll see my homies somewhere in paradise
(I’ll see ’em somewhere in paradise)

[Chance The Rapper:]
Fannin’ the fire, hands is up higher
Cannot believe it, damn I’m a rider
Riding on twenties, twenty years prior, I couldn’t buy a
Forget it you get it, God is so awesome, devil’s a liar
Take ‘em to church but I need a choir

I believe, I believe, I believe
Somewhere in paradise
I believe, I believe, I believe
Somewhere in paradise
I believe, I believe, I believe

 

 

Analysis:

Song analysis: somewhere is paradise – chance the rapper

 

  1. The song is about Chance’s fame ever since he went mainstream, and his thoughts about an earlier point in his career.
  2. Chance is speaking in the song. He is not speaking to anyone in particular. The circumstance is the point in Chance’s career that he is in now. He finds all his recent success hard to believe, but is still grateful for it.
  3. Connotations for Santa are excitement, unity, and curiosity. The denotation is a fictional character that delivers presents on Christmas. The majority of the words and lines are abstract. “Ridin on twenties”, are 20-inch tire rims. This signifies success in the rap industry, as many well known rappers have rode in those specific tires. When chance says he would “Cut that umbilical cord”, he is really saying he will reject any record label that offers him a low amount of money. A line from the poem that is cliché was chance saying that because of his recent success in the rap industry, he should run for mayor. It is cliché to say someone should run for mayor or president if they suddenly have lots of success. The diction contributes the upbeat and positive mood that the poem has.
  4. The poem is optimistic. Words that set the tone are paradise, believe, and bless. The tone stays the same throughout the poem.
  5. The poem has no metrical pattern or line length, it is a free verse.
  6. An allusion in the poem is when chance references bugs bunny in looney toons when he says “I’m a rascaly rabbit, I know that tricks is for addicts, that needs fixes for habits, in love with carrots and cabbage” Rascally rabit is what Elmer Fudd calls Bugs Bunny in Looney Toons. Also, “Pass it to A-Rap” is an allusion to Soulja Boy’s song “Pass it to Arab”. The fire in “Fannin’ the fire” is a metaphor for chnaces success, and he is fanning to by working hard to make it grow. There is an alliteration in the line “As I smoke in this Uber suburban dressed in an Urban Outfitters shirt and burgundy pair of Jordans”, as the letter U, B, and R is repeated. The title well suits the poem. Chance feels he is becoming very successful and thinks he is doing well, but he still feels there are things to improve upon. He is “Somewhere in Paradise”, so there is still room to grow.
  7. The experiences that chance is going through may be difficult for the reader to feel, as lots of the experiences are hidden in poetic devices. The is not much imagery used, so the experience may be dulled for the reader. The poem does give the reader lots of insight into Chances current situation when the poem is broken down line by line.

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs-L048YlJk&feature=player_embedded

Laces: A Diamond in the Rough of Port Coquitlam

 

Read Reece H.‘s review of Laces Restaurant & Café on Yelp

 

Tucked away in the industrial area of Port Coquitlam, Laces Restaurant and Cafe is the gold standard in terms of service, price, and of course, the food. Because of Laces location, the many drivers shooting though Mary Hill Bypass go right past quiet cafe without catching a glimpse of the cafe or even knowing its existence. The result of this is that the wait for food it often quite short as it is not particularly busy among dinner hours. Something I found unique to Laces is the Cafes the relationship between the waiter and customer. By the second time I visited they had acknowledged me by name, giving the place a warm and welcoming vibe. They offer a wide array of different dishes including burgers, sandwiches, soups, and pasta, however their specialty is their mouth-watering Chinese menu. download-9The head chef has spent over 20 years in Hong Kong mastering his craft, but recently has moved here to cook in a more “relaxed” environment. He personally came out to introduce himself, noticing that we were new to the cafe. Within a few minutes of ordering I could smell spectacular aromas of rich sesame oil and fresh lemon coming from the kitchen.   He did an outstanding job specifically on the black bean chicken and vegetable chow mein. The chicken was seasoned well, supple, and the black bean sauce was executed perfectly. The noodle consistency was spot on, and the mixed vegetables were some of the freshest I have had from a restaurant. This outstanding dish also only came to $10.95, providing a great bang for your buck. A nice touch to the decor was the old school glass bottles of coke they had lined up beside the counter on the cash register, giving the atmosphere a retro cafe feel that many may have experienced back in the day. Having said this, Laces downfall was the rest of the decor in the cafe. There were small rips in a few seats, the tables looked worn and beaten with chips and cracks in the wood, and the rest of the cafe besides the stack of coke bottles was incredibly bland and poorly thrown together. Not to mention the sign outside laces was dull and forgettable. Also, there was not a whisper of music playing and since the cafe is not typically active with lots of customers, you were often left in an awkward and eerie silence to eat your food, really taking away from the whole experience. All in all, I would definitely recommend Laces over any “American style” Chinese food. It still has the convenience and fair price you see with your everyday fast food Chinese restaurants, but the food they churn out blows the competition out of the water. If you want quick, quality food, look no further than Laces Cafe and Restaurant. download-10