GoogleAn unsuspecting classroom of fifth graders in Chicago recently got the surprise of a lifetime when Chance the Rapper waltzed into their school.
Students at Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Paideia Academy greeted the “No Problem” rapper with screams and tears.
While he’s best known for his success as the first streaming-only musician to win a Grammy, 24-year-old Chance went to the school to teach kids about the importance of a skill he considers priceless: Coding.
“For me coding is one of the main kind of cheat codes or finesses to get further in the industry or further to what you want to do,” Chance told the class.
He also shared with them how he used technology and data — from platforms like Soundcloud to digital recording tools — to boost his own music career.
One of the students told ABC News’ Rebecca Jarvis, “Chance said that it would be good for us to do it, so I want to follow his footsteps and do what he told us to do because it could lead to a big thing for us. We need it.”
Principal Sheila Bair said that Chance the Rapper “means opportunity” to her students.
“It just shows them the end or what the possibility would be for someone who’s coming through with Chicago public schools,” she adds.
Chance, who recalls hearing about fellow Chicago native Kanye West‘s impromptu visit to his school when he was a kid, knows how important his visit is to these children.
“I think it does take a little bit of seeing…that stuff actualize to stop you from thinking, ‘This is just a fantastical thing that’s inside the TV,’ and, you know, precisely how accessible it is.”
Fans can watch Chance’s classroom visit tonight on Nightline at 12:35 a.m. ET on ABC.
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