Chance the Rapper Slams Goofy, Exploitive Chi-Raq

Spike Leehas come under fire from critics and Chicagoans alike for turning the Windy Citys widespread issues with gun violenceinto a musical-comedy for his new film Chi-Raq, and now Chance the Rapperhas added his voice to the chorus of detractors slamming the film. In a series of tweets, the Chicago native blasted the film, calling it goofy, exploitive and problematic.

Let me be the one from Chicago to personally tell you we not supporting this film out here, Chance said of Chi-Raq Friday. That shit get ZERO love out here. Shit is goofy and its a bunch of ppl from NOT around here telling you to support that shit. The people that made that shit didnt do so to Save Lives. Its exploitive and problematic.

Chance also took issue with the films plot, which reworks Aristophanes Lysistrata an Ancient Greek comedy about women withholding sex from soldiers in order to end the Peloponnesian War and places the story in present-day, violence-ridden Chicago. Also the idea that women abstaining from sex would stop murders is offensive and a slap in the face to any mother that lost a child here, the rapper tweeted.

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Much of the criticism for Chi-Raq stems from a belief that Lee, a director born and bred in New York, was the wrong filmmaker to tackle the topic of violence in Chicago. You dont do any work with the children of Chicago, You dont live here, youve never watched someone die here, the rapper tweeted. Dont tell me to be calm.

Hours later, Chance said his criticisms werent pointed at Lee. Just clarifying, Im not damning the director of the film or anyone involved in making it. I am damning the film and the ideas it conveys, he tweeted.

Chance the Rapper isnt the only Chicago rapper to air their displeasure with Chi-Raq: Chief Keef tweeted in November, Damn Spikey.. Chiraq isnt defined enough on that movie! It should be showing whats really going on. Chief Keefs manager Peeda Pan also told GQ, If somebody is going to do a Chicago movie and call it Chi-Raq it needs to be somebody from Chicago.