Chance The Rapper is grieving the loss of his Aunt Carolyn, who he described as his “favorite person in the world.” In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday, September 15th, Chance revealed that his aunt passed away on August 29th. That date also marked his youngest daughter Marli’s fifth birthday. The timing of the funeral was bittersweet, as it fell on the day his oldest daughter Kensli turned nine.
“I am in deep and profound loss,” he wrote. “My favorite person in the world, my Auntie Carolyn, passed away on August 29th, which was also the day my youngest turned 5 years old.” Chance went on to share how difficult it was to mask his emotions while celebrating Marli’s birthday. He reflected on his decision not to bring his children to the funeral. He explained, “I didn’t want them to see me so broken on a day that was meant to be celebratory.”
Chance remembered his aunt as a strong advocate for youth. He recalled how she ran a daycare and adopted children from her community. She also helped adults in need. “Complete strangers became her family, and by extension, a member of my family,” he said, crediting her with inspiring his work for young people.
“She built Kids of the Kingdom vacation Bible school for over 30 years,” Chance added. “Everything you ever seen me do as a supporter or advocate of the youth was influenced by her.”
In closing, Chance shared his deep grief: “I once heard that grief is love with nowhere to go. But aunty showed me where my love should go. And I will continue to love on my children and all God’s children in her legacy.”
Despite his loss, Chance is preparing to release “Star Lin”* and asks fans to use its title, not just “the album.”