Honestly, music history is usually written by the winners, but in the case of the man who has everything chance the rapper, the history was almost written by the memes.
It was late 2018. If you were a fan back then, you remember the vibe. Chance was coming off the high of Coloring Book, three Grammys on his shelf, and he was the independent darling of the entire industry. Then, on a random November morning, he dropped a loosie single that felt like a warm hug from an old friend.
That song was "The Man Who Has Everything."
It didn't have a massive marketing machine. It didn't have a TikTok dance. It was just Chance being Chance. But looking back from 2026, that track was actually a massive flashing yellow light. It was a warning sign about the creative crossroads he was approaching, just months before the infamous The Big Day would change his reputation forever.
Why "The Man Who Has Everything" Still Matters Today
People tend to lump everything from this era into the "Chance loves his wife" era. But this song is different. It’s a somber, introspective look at a guy who has reached the mountaintop and realizes the air is a bit thin up there.
The production, handled by Nascent and Jeremih, uses a soul sample that feels like vintage 2004 Kanye. It’s cozy. It’s Chicago. But the lyrics? They're surprisingly heavy. He talks about his daughter’s Christmas list, the pressure of being a provider, and the weirdness of having everything material while still feeling a bit hollow.
Basically, it’s a song about the "middle." He wasn't the hungry kid from Acid Rap anymore, but he hadn't yet become the "wedding rapper" caricature the internet turned him into.
The disconnect between the man and the myth
If you listen closely, he’s grappling with his own public image. He mentions how people see him as this perfect, god-fearing family man, but he’s still human. He’s tired. He’s stressed about the transition from "young prodigy" to "established mogul."
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A lot of listeners missed that nuance at the time. They just heard the pretty beat.
The Production Behind the Magic
While many associate Chance’s sound with Peter Cottontale or Nico Segal, this specific track had a different DNA. Jeremih, better known for R&B hits, actually stepped behind the boards here.
It’s a bit ironic.
The song sounds more "Chance" than some of the songs on his actual debut album. It has that organic, dusty-record feel. There aren't many bells and whistles—just a looping vocal chop and some steady percussion. It allowed his voice to sit right at the front.
In the lyrics of the man who has everything chance the rapper, he spits lines about his father and his brother, Taylor. He talks about the "new mansion" feeling more like a museum than a home. You’ve gotta appreciate the honesty there. Most rappers spend their whole careers trying to get the house; Chance got it and immediately started writing about how it didn't solve his problems.
What Really Happened With the Release Strategy?
This song wasn't alone. It dropped alongside "My Own Thing" featuring Joey Purp.
At the time, Chance was doing these "mini-drops." He’d just drop two or four songs on a Thursday night and let them breathe. It was a brilliant strategy for someone who didn't want to play the label game.
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But it also created a false sense of security for the fans.
We all thought these songs were the blueprint for the album. We expected a project full of these soulful, boom-bap influenced tracks. When The Big Day finally arrived in July 2019, it was a massive departure. It was shiny, pop-heavy, and—let’s be real—a bit bloated at 22 tracks.
"The Man Who Has Everything" remained a standalone single. It never made it onto a project. In hindsight, it’s a "lost classic" that represents the path not taken.
Analyzing the Lyrics: A Deep Dive into the Mid-Career Crisis
The hook is the most telling part. He asks what you give to the man who has everything.
- Is it more money?
- Is it more fame?
- Or is it just a bit of peace and quiet?
He talks about his daughter, Kensli, asking for things she doesn't even need because she's growing up in a world of abundance. It’s a "first-world problem," sure, but he handles it with a lot of grace. He doesn't sound like he's complaining; he sounds like he's observing a life he doesn't quite recognize yet.
The "Coup d'État" reference
There’s a line in the song about surviving a "coup d'état." Most fans thought he was talking about his independence from record labels. He fought the industry and won. But winning meant he was now the one in charge, and as the saying goes, "uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."
The Impact on His Career Arc
If you look at his recent 2025 release, Star Line, you can actually hear echoes of "The Man Who Has Everything."
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He’s moved back toward that introspective, lyrical style. He stopped trying to make "wedding hits" and went back to being a poet. The critics who trashed him in 2019 are starting to come back around.
The reason? He’s finally embracing the vulnerability he first teased on this 2018 single.
Sometimes an artist has to go through a "flop" to find their voice again. Chance had to be the "wife guy" for a while to realize that his true strength wasn't in being a mascot for marriage, but in being a chronicler of his own complicated life.
Key Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to understand the real Chance, skip the memes and go back to this track. It’s the bridge between his two lives.
- Vulnerability is Currency: The track worked because it wasn't a flex. It was a confession.
- Production Matters: The soul-sample era of Chance is objectively his most beloved sound.
- Independence is a Double-Edged Sword: Having no boss means no one can tell you "no," which is how we got The Big Day, but it's also how we got raw gems like this.
To really appreciate this era, go back and listen to the song on a pair of good headphones. Pay attention to the background vocals. There’s a layer of melancholy there that most people missed on the first listen. It’s not just a Christmas song; it’s a survival song.
Next Steps for You:
Compare the lyrics of "The Man Who Has Everything" with his recent 2025 track "No More Old Men." You'll notice he's still using the same themes of family and legacy, but with a much sharper, more seasoned perspective. Also, check out the production credits for the Star Line project—you'll see some of the same names that helped craft this 2018 single.