Chance the Rapper Surprises Miami Fans at Dante's HiFi

Just after announcing the And, We're Back Tour on August 11 and releasing Star Line, his latest album, last week, Chance the Rapper hit the streets, surprising fans with a series of meet-and-greets. So far, the "trunk trapping" stops have included Houston's Cactus Music and Atlanta's JB's Record Lounge, with the latest landing at Miami's Dante's HiFi. Chance has said this grassroots approach takes inspiration from the independent hustle of artists like MC Hammer, Master P, and Nipsey Hussle. This community-driven campaign reflects the back-to-basics energy fueling his new era.

The Star Line project showcases Chance the Rapper's revived creativity and is by far one of his most expansive works, packed with golden nuggets. From nods to Black history — such as naming the album after the 1919 shipping company Black Star Line, founded by Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association — to literary allusions to Edgar Allan Poe, Langston Hughes, and early hip-hop icons like Master P, MC Hammer, and Nipsey Hussle. "I think it's the kind of album you should listen to many times. There's a lot to unpack, and each line, there's nothing in it that's frivolous," Chance tells New Times in an exclusive interview.
His back-to-back mixtapes 10 Day (2012) and Acid Rap (2013) cemented his reputation as a fresh rap and hip-hop voice anchored by the playful ad-libs and introspective writing that first caught listeners' attention. Coloring Book (2016), a streaming-only project, brought him national attention, earning nine Grammy nominations and three wins. While his first independently released studio album, The Big Day (2019), received a mixed response, underscoring his willingness to take risks outside the industry mold. With Star Line, Chance isn't exactly "back"; instead, he has reconnected with the craft and creative lineage that first made him such a singular artist.
The meet-and-greet was announced just a day before the event, and fans immediately flooded social media, scrambling to figure out timing and logistics. Despite the short notice, by 2 p.m., a line was forming outside when New Times arrived. One fan, who credits Chance's music with getting him through high school, drove all the way from Tampa. Another was out with his family when Chance posted about the pop-up and quickly rearranged their plans to attend.

If there was one word to describe the feeling among the fans who got to be there, it would be "suerte." Not my word, but one shared by a North Carolina fan who just happened to be in South Florida. "I really lucked out. I was looking for listening rooms, anything with vinyl, just some really good vibes, and then I found Dante's and saw Chance, and I was like, 'holy crap, that's insane,'" she says. The fan also mentions that Chance's music helped her through rough times.
Chance and his Star Line team arrived right at 3 p.m. The meet-and-greet was not a "take-a-selfie-and-go" moment, but sometimes intimate and emotional. Hugs were exchanged, stories were shared, and super-fans even freestyled for Chance. He repeatedly thanked those who showed up, placing his hand over his heart.
After meeting Chance, fans could shop the latest merch, including the scannable Star Line CD, album tee, hoodie, and collector's items like the Acid Rap tenth Anniversary vinyl. Signed copies were not sold at this event, and Dante's HiFi served cocktails for attendees.

For many, the Star Line album and Chance's Miami appearance felt like a full-circle moment. "The people who have a lot of love for my music had personal experiences with it, so when you get to meet in person and they can tell you stories about how the music affected them or how their lives parallel it, it means a lot to me, but also to them. I think that's the reason we're out here," says Chance.