Coloring Book [Mixtape]
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Coloring Book [Mixtape] Image
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 609 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: The third mixtape from the Chicago rapper (an Apple Music exclusive for two weeks) features gospel elements as well as guest appearances from such artists as 2 Chainz, Justin Bieber, Francis and the Lights, Future, Jay Electronica, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Young Thug.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Consequence
    May 19, 2016
    100
    While Coloring Book successfully channels the musical conventions of African-American church tradition without sounding dated or pastiche, the album also subtly chronicles black history and uses it as inspiration for artistic freedom.
  2. The A.V. Club
    May 16, 2016
    91
    Coloring Book delivers one celebratory hymnal after another, emphasizing the natural high that comes with feeling loved and watched over.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    May 17, 2016
    91
    Though it doesn’t eclipse the LSD-inspired brilliance of Acid Rap, Coloring Book affirms Chance’s place as one of hip-hop’s most promising--and most uplifting--young stars.
  4. Rolling Stone
    May 18, 2016
    80
    Coloring Book is the richest hip hop album of 2016 so far.
  5. NOW Magazine
    May 25, 2016
    80
    It has the bigness and accessibility of a major hip-hop album thanks in part to zeitgeisty guests like Justin Bieber, Future and Young Thug.
  6. XXL
    May 20, 2016
    80
    Coloring Book, replete with a spiritual aura and talk with the man above, is a heavy contender for the best project released this year because it goes against the grain while still building upon hip-hop’s foundation.
  7. RapReviews.com
    Apr 24, 2017
    65
    Several aspects of the sonic structure on otherwise well-made beats and well-laid vocals sound blurred and mashed together. It is not a pretty listen by any means unless the listener is willing to bear the pain of a weak recording process.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 59
  3. Negative: 3 out of 59
  1. kevin3stacks
    May 13, 2016
    10
    This definitely deserves to be an album along with a Grammy nomination! There's a lot of growth in chance since acid rap. Where he used to rapThis definitely deserves to be an album along with a Grammy nomination! There's a lot of growth in chance since acid rap. Where he used to rap about women sexually he raps about his daughter and her mother. He talks about growing up, learning how to dance, praises the Lord. It's an all round exhilaratingly joyful album that is impossible to hate. Definitely the best rap project of 2016 so far. Highlights have to be; How great, Same drugs, Blessings (2), Juke Jam, Smoke break... **** i just might list the entire catalog!
    Thank you Chance The Rapper.    … Expand
  2. SumitSumbria
    May 21, 2016
    10
    What a beautiful album. It's beyond excellence. Soulful is a perfect word for it. The choir used in various tracks just increased its beauty.What a beautiful album. It's beyond excellence. Soulful is a perfect word for it. The choir used in various tracks just increased its beauty.
    Favourite tracks - "D.R.A.M. Sings Special", "How Great".    … Expand
  4. ojohn123
    May 14, 2016
    10
    This is an amazing album from a rapper on the top of his game. Happiness often translates to corniness in a lot of rap these days (seeThis is an amazing album from a rapper on the top of his game. Happiness often translates to corniness in a lot of rap these days (see Macklemore, Drake), but this mixtape is infectious. There isn't a single song on this that I would skip. My only slight complaint is that I hope the gospel sound is a one-off. Don't get me wrong, I think it's amazing and works VERY well for Chance the Rapper, but I fear that it could get played out if he does it too much.… Expand
  5. brockcheese
    Feb 24, 2017
    9
    This is some amazing gospel rap following in the same vein as Kanye and constructs one of the most unique rap albums mostly due to itsThis is some amazing gospel rap following in the same vein as Kanye and constructs one of the most unique rap albums mostly due to its incredible flow and production.… Expand
  6. LBJ6
    May 18, 2016
    9
    While not quite as fun and fresh as Acid Rap was, Coloring Book is another great output by Chance and considering it only a mixtape is doingWhile not quite as fun and fresh as Acid Rap was, Coloring Book is another great output by Chance and considering it only a mixtape is doing it an injustice. While I mentioned it is less fun than Acid Rap, that is only because his lyrics on this tape are much more serious and in depth, which is a positive. The production is consistently great and his flow is much improved, as previewed on his The Life of Pablo feature. While it may be less easy going, it is still very much as upbeat as Acid Rap. He conveys his entire vision well enough throughout the mixtape that his features (including what most would assume to be ill-fitting artists such as 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, and Future), fully commit their verses to it. Possessing that quality is very Kanye-esque, and to have it at such a young age is even more impressive. While I have absolutely nothing wrong with the incorporation of religion into music, I personally feel that more often than not it interferes with the music and seems forced. Chance, however, masters this technique effortlessly, as Coloring Book is actually enhanced by the presence of religion because it provides a definitive theme without going overboard. An excellent body of work by Chance to add to his already acclaimed catalogue and his most mature output yet. The future is bright for Chance the Rapper. 8.6/10. Highlights: All We Got, No Problems, Summer Friends, Same Drugs, Mixtape, Angels, All Night, How Great (specifically the second half with a great Jay Electronica verse), and Smoke Break.… Expand
  7. djdenzel777
    Mar 24, 2017
    8
    Very interesting project to listen to. It is quite cohesive, and refreshing. Chance has definitely improved as a lyricist and artist as aVery interesting project to listen to. It is quite cohesive, and refreshing. Chance has definitely improved as a lyricist and artist as a whole. That being said, the project does feel a bit over-rated.… Expand
  8. Kloot1rr
    Jul 2, 2020
    0
    Chance the Rapper takes a major step in maturity. Coming off of a brilliant mixtape "Acid Rap", Chance drops the hallucinogens and takes aChance the Rapper takes a major step in maturity. Coming off of a brilliant mixtape "Acid Rap", Chance drops the hallucinogens and takes a more faithful trip. With beautiful harmonies, sharp lyricism & a myriad of great features, Chance firmly puts this mixtape in the Album of the Year conversation. Christianity is the topic of conversation...Chance makes even non-believers enjoy the hell out of this one.
    Best Tracks: SAME DRUGS, No Problem, Summer Friends    … Expand

See all 59 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2016, Games, TV, Movies, Music

    Metacritic Users Pick the Best of 2016

    Metacritic Users Pick the Best of 2016 Image
    Published: January 5, 2017
    The results of our 7th annual user poll are in! Find out which albums, movies, TV shows, and games were the favorites of the Metacritic community in 2016.
    More »
  2. Best of 2016, Music

    The Best Albums of 2016

    The Best Albums of 2016 Image
    Published: December 23, 2016
    We rank the 40 highest-scoring album releases of 2016. You can also find lists of the best reissues and 2016's lowest-scoring albums as well as our users' favorite albums of the year.
    More »
  3. Best of 2016, Music

    The Best Albums of 2016 So Far

    The Best Albums of 2016 So Far Image
    Published: June 30, 2016
    We ranked the best music of the year released through June 30, 2016.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2016
24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2016
23
#23 Most Shared Album of 2016

Current Music Releases

Full List »
100 Live and Dangerous [Super Deluxe Edition] - Thin Lizzy
94 Desire, I Want To Turn into You - Caroline Polachek
91 Live at the Whisky 1977 [Box Set] - Cheap Trick
91 Travel - The Necks
90 S.O.S. - SZA
90 Manzanita - Shana Cleveland
90 But Here We Are - Foo Fighters
90 False Lankum - Lankum
90 the record - boygenius
90 Maps - billy woods
89 That! Feels Good! - Jessie Ware
89 Rat Saw God - Wednesday
88 12 - Ryuichi Sakamoto
88 Angel Numbers - Hamish Hawk
88 Blómi - Susanne Sundfør
88 Wait Til I Get Over - Durand Jones
87 Everything Harmony - The Lemon Twigs
87 The Bootleg Series, Vol. 17: Fragments - Time Out of Mind Sessions 1996-1997 - Bob Dylan
87 Honky Château [50th Anniversary Edition] - Elton John
87 The Songs of Bacharach & Costello [Super Deluxe Edition Box Set] - Elvis Costello
All Current Music »