Chance The Rapper makes history as an independent artist with new record
Chance the Rapper is making history as an independent artist following the success of his DJ Khaled collaboration, ‘I’m the One’. The Chicago rapper has become the first fully independent artist to achieve platinum certification, following the Recording Industry Association of America’s recognition of 10 million sales and stream equivalents in the US.
Chance’s diamond plaque was presented during a hometown performance at the 2025 NHL Winter Classic in Chicago, where he played ‘I’m the One’ and other songs such as ‘No Problem’, ‘Cocoa Butter Kisses’, ‘All Night’ and ‘The Highs & The Lows’.
“‘I’m the One’ has been such a special record for me since the day we created it,” he said about the achievement. “To see this track go diamond is a testament to the connection it’s made with so many people. Shout out to Khaled, Quavo, Justin, and Wayne!”
He continued, “Every time I perform this song, it brings an undeniable energy, and the fans’ love for it never wavers. Getting to play it live on New Year’s Eve in front of my hometown crowd, in the greatest city in the world—there’s truly nothing better and I’m beyond thankful!”
Chance also accepted a $100,000 donation to his charity, Social Works, from the NHL, NHLPA and Chicago Blackhawks Foundation to invest in Chicago’s future. In a post on Instagram, Chance added, “First ever Independent Solo Act with a Diamond selling record. Thanks NHL for a warm welcome and a perfect end to 2024 Happy NEW YEARS YALL.”
‘I’m the One‘ peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart in 2017, appearing on Khaled’s Grateful album. Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, and Migos’ Quavo also appear on the song, which passed one billion streams on Spotify in 2020.
Chance raps in his verse, “She beat her face up with that new Chanel/ She like the price, she see the ice, it make her coochie melt/ When I met her in the club, I asked her who she felt/ Then she went and put that booty on that Gucci belt.”
The single was Chance’s first number-one and the only chart-topper of his career. Its success led Khaled, Bieber and Quavo to collaborate again on ‘No Brainer’ the following year, reaching as high as number five on the Hot 100.