Updated: Chance the Rapper Just Saved SoundCloud

By Grant Sharples  |  July 14, 2017 | 3:20pm
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Music News Chance the Rapper

In the wake of recent reports suggesting that SoundCloud was close to meeting its end, Chance the Rapper has announced today via Twitter that the music service is “here to stay.” After word circulated on Thursday that SoundCloud would no longer be, Chance casually tweeted that he was “working on the SoundCloud thing.”

Chance the Rapper gained his fame from his following on SoundCloud, and has a clear appreciation for the platform. The website is known for, among other things, its immense underground rap community, including up-and-coming artists such as Lil Uzi Vert and XXXTentacion.

Earlier today, the rapper then asked Twitter users to tag an artist they wouldn’t know if not for SoundCloud. People responded with artists such as Kehlani, SZA and D.R.A.M.

Shortly thereafter, Chance said that he had a “very fruitful call with Alex Ljung,” the organization’s founder, and that “SoundCloud is here to stay.”

Chance is known for his donations to causes such as Chicago’s public school system. He also bought out an entire showing of Jordan Peele‘s film Get Out so people could see it for free. It’s still unclear what the rapper’s tweet means for SoundCloud’s future, but it appears the underground rap scene has something to thank Chance for.

Reps for SoundCloud and Chance the Rapper did not immediately respond to Paste‘s requests for comment. Chance released his third mixtape, Coloring Book, last year—read our review here.

Update: As this post went up, SoundCloud added a few tweets of their own.

Update #2: A rep for SoundCloud tells Paste, “As an active member of the SoundCloud community, Chance connected with co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alex Ljung, to inquire about the rumors and speculation circulating. Chance’s takeaway is reflected in his tweet. SoundCloud is here to stay.”

The rep also pointed out a blog post shared by Ljung, which reads:

Hey everyone,

There’s an insane amount of noise about SoundCloud in the world right now. And it’s just that, noise. The music you love on SoundCloud isn’t going away, the music you shared or uploaded isn’t going away, because SoundCloud is not going away. Not in 50 days, not in 80 days or anytime in the foreseeable future. Your music is safe.

Along with each of you, we’ve built this incredible creative community of artists, podcasters, DJs, producers and more who are the driving force in pushing culture forward in the world. That’s not going to change. Last week we had to make some tough decisions to let go of some of our staff, but we did this to ensure SoundCloud remains a strong, independent company.

Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. Some of you have asked how you can help-spread the word that we’re not going anywhere and keep doing what you’re doing-creating, listening, uploading, sharing, liking, and discovering what’s new, now and next in music. SoundCloud is here to stay.

Peace,
Alex

Share Tweet Submit Pin
Tags

chance the rapper

soundcloud