Entertainment

Chance The Rapper Is Now An Emmy Nominee

by Alexis Paige Williams
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

As this hip hop star likes to say, "Blessings keep falling in my lap." That rung true on Thursday as Chance The Rapper is now an Emmy Award-nominated artist thanks to the hilarious rhymes he provided for the Saturday Night Live song "Last Christmas" from the "Jingle Barack" sketch. In the sketch the 24-year-old Chicago native was joined by SNL cast member Kenan Thompson and the evening's host, Casey Affleck, to celebrate (and mourn) one final Christmas with beloved President Barack Obama in office.

The rapper co-wrote the song in which he parodied Run-DMC's classic holiday rhyme, "Christmas in Hollis." In the sketch, Chance is dressed as legendary rapper Darryl McDaniels a.k.a. DMC as he spits rhymes like, "Been drinking eggnog like I don't care/ I'm-a hurt myself before we lose ObamaCare." Who knew the silly rap would land him in the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Emmy category?

Chance, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, tweeted his excitement on Thursday, July 13 along with a link to the three-minute skit. "MAMA I GOT NOMINATED FOR A EMMY. THANK YOU SNL," he wrote. The "No Problem" rapper also let his Twitter followers know that he actually "secretly submitted" his 2016 tribute performance honoring Muhammad Ali at the ESPYs for consideration in the same category that "Last Christmas" is now being recognized for.

Although the Television Academy chose Chance's funnier performance, the kindhearted rapper was elated nonetheless. He tweeted, "One more time SO GRATEFUL FOR KENAN THOMPSON HE IS A LEGEND IN COMEDY AND OFCOURSE SNL THANK YOU BIG BRO LOVE YOU AND THE WHOLE CAST."

If Chance scoops up an Emmy this fall, the acclaimed hip-hop artist will be halfway to becoming an EGOT — the rare recipient of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. He won three Grammys in February for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Album, and Best New Artist. Last month, he was honored with the BET Humanitarian of the Year Award. As it that wasn't great enough, former First Lady Michelle Obama introduced Chance's award at the show. Safe to say, he's having the greatest year ever.