Chicago-grown Chance the Rapper won the Innovator Award Sunday night at iHeartRadio’s Music Awards in Los Angeles for his independent approach to releasing music and being the first streaming-only artist to win three Grammys.
“I found out I was getting this innovator award and I still, with everything that comes my way, I still feel very young and a little undeserving,” said Chance, 24, at the award show. “I didn’t invent independence in any way. I didn’t innovate this idea. I’m following behind a lot of other people in it. It takes a lot more of us coming together as artists to gain our control and power as we should have it.”
In his acceptance speech, he thanked Prince, Pharrell, Beyoncé, Nick Minaj and Taylor Swift for inspiring and guiding his career.
Pharrell Williams, who presented the award to Chance, praised his philanthropic work that has helped support Chicago Public Schools. In December, Chance teamed up with Google to donate $1.5 million to CPS and education engagement around Chicago. Through his nonprofit SocialWorks, Chance has donated more than $2 million to 20 schools across the city.
“He’s a hero to so many, including me,” Williams said. “To call Chance the Rapper an innovator almost feels like an understatement.”
Other artists who have been given the Innovator Award include Williams, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake and U2.
