Chicagoans are used to surprises on the CTA, but this winter, that surprise will actually be a welcome one: Chance the Rapper’s voice will be woven into daily commutes. The hometown artist has partnered with the CTA for a new systemwide campaign called “Enjoy the Ride,” marking the first time the agency has collaborated with a celebrity to literally speak to riders.
Chance grew up riding the Red Line from the South Side, trips that were part of his formation as an artist and a person. As he said in a statement, “I think this partnership is so important because I grew up taking the Red Line train from 79th,” said Chance. “All of the train lines create a pathway to connection and an opportunity for people to build community, and that’s what STAR LINE is about. It’s about us forming together to fight anything that’s going against us. This is an important time in the city for people to stand up, be brave and protective of each other.”
The campaign is also a reminder of something that we tend to forget. Public transit is one of the last truly communal spaces we share. We can curate our social feeds and playlists, but we can’t curate who steps into the train car. Chance’s voice acknowledges that community and pushes commuters to see it as something quirkier and more interesting than just the dead space between arrival and destination. Maybe we can even learn how to enjoy the trip. At least for a few weeks, with Chance's announcements in our ears.
You can hear Chance's two messages to CTA riders here and here.