For the entirety of the modern record business, nearly every aspiring musician has dreamed of putting the ink on a deal with a major label. That meant you made it. And if that's still the criteria for success in the music industry, the 23-year-old Chance the Rapper still technically hasn't made it—and he has no problem with that. As a completely independent artist, Chance is starting out 2017 with seven Grammy nominations and his name at the top of the biggest festivals in the country. He's someone who has never desired signing with a record label, as he clearly says on "No Problem," the single that's up for two Grammys: "If one more label try to stop me / It's gon' be some dreadhead niggas in ya lobby." It's a warning; he doesn't want a record label—with all its baggage, its rules, its contracts—to get in the way of his music.

"I have complete control over my music, the same that I did when I was in high school: I make what I wanna make, when I wanna make it, with who I wanna make it with," Chance told Hot 97 in 2015. "And, in the end, I still own everything that I create. And just the understanding of giving up that piece of the pie to anybody, whether they're a huge label, or a indie label, or it's just a distribution deal or it's just a publishing deal... Like, giving up that piece is difficult for me."

Since that interview, the young Chicago rapper released his third mixtape Coloring Book—a free release exclusively through Apple Music—which was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2016. In a year defined by social and political chaos, Chance's Coloring Book was filled with hope, positivity, and, in some cases, answers to the world's problems. While much of music in 2016 avoided politics or reflected the anger and uncertainty of the times, Chance addressed it head on with a good attitude. Take the opening verse of "Angels," for example, where Chance raps, "I got my city doing front flips / When every father, mayor, rapper jump ship / I guess that's why they call it where I stay / Clean up the streets, so my daughter can have somewhere to play." Deservingly, that album was nominated for seven Grammy awards—including Best New Artist—a major feat never accomplished by an unsigned musician.

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The Recording Academy, which is made up of 13,000 music professionals, has picked his album for the most prestigious award in his genre. It's proof that an artist can subvert the industry. While he might have the support of established acts like Kanye West, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Lil Wayne, and Justin Bieber, Chance has gotten to this point without the strength and money of a major label or the connections of a bunch of PR professionals or suits in an office building. Chance has redefined the music industry's path: He's proven the power of a social media account, of a Soundcloud profile, and a laptop studio. His Coloring Book is the first streaming-only album to be nominated for a Grammy; if you look at the Grammy's nomination page, you'll see he's listed as the label, the writer, and the performer. Consider also that the record for the most Grammys won in one night are eight by Michael Jackson and Santana. This is followed by a five-way tie for six in one night.

The funny thing is: Chance doesn't need the awards. Yes, it would be a big moment for the industry to recognize a shift away from the traditional path to success, but he's doing just fine on his own, and he has proved his talent and influence outside of an aging institution like the Grammys. He's been writing for the biggest hip-hop acts of all time; three of his Grammy nominations are for his contributions to Kanye West songs, having written "Ultralight Beam" and "Famous" and rapped on the former. He became the first independent artist to perform on Saturday Night Live. And this summer he's headlining two of the biggest music festivals in the country—Bonnaroo and Governors Ball.

Chance is an anomaly in an industry that's still finding its path through a digital transition. Rather than be the exception to the rule, maybe a successful Grammy night would make him the new model in the industry. It's too much to put the future of one 23-year-old's shoulders, but maybe, like his music, Chance can be a blueprint for real, positive progress.

Matt Miller Culture Editor Matt is the Culture Editor at Esquire where he covers music, movies, books, and TV—with an emphasis on all things Star Wars, Marvel, and Game of Thrones.

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