In a new interview with MTV's Rap Fix Live, Chicagoan emcee Chance The Rapper revealed that Top Dog Entertainment offered him a record deal, which he declined.

"They didn't almost sign me, they wanted to sign me" he clarified, after being asked about the rumor.Â "Don't say it like that, though. I turned down being signed... All of those guys are my good friends. That whole camp is great."

Chance explained his stance in an earlier interview onÂ BET's 106 & Park:

"I think it's mad important for the American Dream to exist and work, and for people to believe in a homegrown and grassroots business," he said. "I'm on tour now. I've only signed mixtapes, never signed to a label. Everything that I do is a part of my own business, and I think that in doing so, as an independent artist, it gives some stake back in the music industry."Â

Chance wants to continue working with the TDE roster, though, specifically mentioning Ab-Soul, who he collaborated with on "Smoke Again".Â



"Soul was an amazing collab because it came out of nowhere," Chance said. "We became close friends and then we [collaborated]. I think he's been busy... But we'll get it in when I get to L.A."Â

Peep the full interview and listen to "Smoke Again" below:Â

[VIA]