Chance the Rapper Trademarks

Chance the Rapper is the stage name of Chancelor Johnathan Bennett who is a rapper, record producer, singer, and songwriter. 

Bennett was born and raised in Chicago where his parents were professionally and ideologically steeped in politics. He met both Barack Obama and Richard Daly as a child. His parents made sure he was surrounded by music growing up, introducing him to the music of Jazz and gospel legends. After hearing Kanye West, he decided that he wanted to be a rapper, so he started rapping in the sixth grade using his cousin’s studio. 

He attended Jones College Prep High School where he could often be found performing at the YOUmedia Lyricist Loft at Harold Washington Library. He was part of Instrumentality, a hip-hop duo. He wrote his debut project, 10 Day, during his junior and senior years there. 

Bennett announced 10 Day by releasing the song “Windows.” The mixtape garnered a lot of attention and got him noticed by Complex magazine, Forbes Magazine, and producers like Blended Babies, Chuck Inglishand, and Kenny James. 

He appeared on Childish Gambino’s mixtape before opening for him on a North American tour. Two years after the release of his first project, Bennett released Acid Rap, which now has over one and a half million downloads. Childish Gambino, Vic Mensa, Action Bronson, Saba, Twista, and BJ the Chicago Kid all appeared on his mixtape, which would receive a nomination at the BET Hip Hop Awards. Because of downloads on Amazon and iTunes, it debuted at number 63 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 

Soon after Bennett was named “Outstanding Youth of the Year” by then Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, he became a fast favorite among advertisers. He appeared in ads targeted at young people and appeared in campaigns for MySpace and Dockers among others. 

Bennett would form a group called The Social Experiments with Donnie Trumpet, Peter Cottontale, and Nate Fox. The Social Experiment’s debut album, Surf, was released in 2015 as a free download. Bennett also debuted a short film called Mr. Happy that same year. 

In 2016, Kanye West featured Bennett on his album The Life of Pablo on several songs including “Waves,” “Feedback,” “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1,” and “Famous.” Bennett’s work with Kanye would open the door for him to collaborate with many well-known artists including J. Cole, Busta Rhymes, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Alicia Keys. He was even able to meet with then-President Obama at the White House. In May, his third mixtape, Chance 3 came out (officially titled Coloring Book). The first release to chart, based only on streams, debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200.

Bennett remained a huge favorite of advertisers seeking to reach the younger market and he was asked to work with brands like Nike, KitKat, and H&M. In 2016, he embarked on his Magnificent Coloring World Tour. He caused a stir in the music world by turning down a chance to sign with GOOD Music and other major labels to remain independent. 

At the 2017 Grammys, Bennett was nominated for seven awards, winning Rap Album of the Year, Best Rap Performance, and Best New Artist of the Year. He also won an Emmy for “Last Christmas,” an original score he performed on Saturday Night Live. He headlined Lollapalooza as well as a major charity event for the Obama Foundation. Bennett would have another run at fantastic collaborations with artists like Cardi B, Saba, Ed Sheeran, the Backstreet Boys, and Mac Miller. 

Chance the Rapper released his first studio album in 2019, titled The Big Day. He was also tapped to host the 2020 Kids’ Choice Awards, but the show format was dramatically altered due to COVID protocols. He announced the release of his upcoming second studio album Star Line Gallery in 2022. 

Through Chance the Rapper, LLC, Bennett obtained a federal trademark registration for his stage name, “CHANCE THE RAPPER” for CDs, digital materials, and downloadable music as well as similar items, for a selection of clothes including pants, caps, and shirts and for live performances by a musical artist and related services.

In 2020, the company applied for a trademark for a logo that looks like the numeral “3” for jewelry, for posters, hats, jackets, hoodies, pants, and shoes.