Flatly, 2016 as a staff, record label and as a motherf—king crew has collectively sucked. Far too many people have died, and a spoiled, mango-colored racist man surrounded by a bunch of like-minded bigots and sycophants will soon make life hell for many who have survived. However, as draining as this year has felt for…

Chance the Rapper is awesome. Not only does he have the kind of music that makes hip-hop exciting again, with his horns, his elastic lyricism and his constant praise of the most high, but he's also got the kind of personality that can't be ignored. He's lovable, humble and hilarious.

There is a Dorothy Norwood song I first heard in 1994 that deeply impacted me. The song, "Somebody Prayed for Me," goes as follows: