"Cocoa Butter Kisses"
Song by Chance the Rapper featuring Vic Mensa and Twista
from the album Acid Rap
ReleasedApril 30, 2013
GenreHip hop
Length5:07
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Chance the Rapper
  • Cam O'bi
  • Peter Cottontale

"Cocoa Butter Kisses" is a song by American rapper Chance the Rapper from his second mixtape Acid Rap (2013). The song features American rappers Vic Mensa and Twista, and was produced by Cam O'bi and Peter Cottontale. It is one of Chance the Rapper's most popular songs to date.

Background

At the time when the song was written, Vic Mensa was staying at an apartment in Humboldt Park, Chicago with his manager Cody Kazarian. Chance the Rapper visited one day and showed Mensa a verse and hook he had written earlier. Soon, Mensa began composing his part for the song. In an interview with DJ Booth, Cam O'bi stated that both Chance and Mensa wrote the song while "on mushrooms".[1][2]

The song was originally recorded on a different instrumental and titled "Babies and Gunshots: Fuck Hawaii Pt. 2" (which, according to Mensa, was because "we were ruminating on the effects of violence in our community"). The original producer had already given the beat to another rapper and did not let Chance to use it, so Mensa put Cam O'bi in touch with Peter Cottonwood. The rappers asked the producers to remake the beat. In a jam session, Chance and Mensa repeatedly sang the hook while O'bi provided the drums on FL Studio and Cottonwood played chords on the keyboard. Once the producers had a chord progression and bassline ready, Mensa (as a member of Kids These Days) and Chance had to go on tour together for about a week. Upon Chance's request, O'bi finished production by the time they came back.

Chance the Rapper already had an idea of bringing Twista on the track as well. A few weeks after Chance and Mensa finished their verses, Twista recorded a third verse for the song. According to Twista, the song reminded him of being young, as well as memories of smoking marijuana when he became an adult.[1][2][3]

Composition

Fred Thomas, in an AllMusic review of Acid Rap, wrote that the song "folds church organ swells and synthesizer swirls into its huge, straightforward beat".[4] Lyrically, the song centers on how the rappers' lifestyles of smoking and drugs has caused them to be apart from their families due to their disapproval.[5][6] In his verse, Chance the Rapper sings about missing the memories of his childhood, such as VHS tapes of Nickelodeon shows and Chuck E. Cheese pizza.[7]

Covers

In October 2013, English singer Dua Lipa released a cover of the song.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b James, Andy (July 17, 2017). "Beat Break: Cam O'bi Shares the Story Behind His 5 Biggest Songs". DJBooth. Archived from the original on 2018-02-21.
  2. ^ a b Terry, Josh (April 30, 2018). "The Oral History of Chance the Rapper's 'Acid Rap'". Complex. Archived from the original on 2018-05-01.
  3. ^ Mench, Chris (April 30, 2018). "Cam O'bi Breaks Down The Production On Chance the Rapper's "Cocoa Butter Kisses"". Genius. Archived from the original on 2021-10-21.
  4. ^ Thomas, Fred, Acid Rap - Chance the Rapper | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  5. ^ Kivel, Adam (2013-05-08). "Album Review: Chance The Rapper - Acid Rap". Consequence.
  6. ^ "The Best Chance the Rapper Songs". Complex. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-27.
  7. ^ Weiss, Jeff (May 7, 2013). "Acid Rap". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10.
  8. ^ Cocoa Butter Kisses Cover, October 14, 2013
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