Chance the Rapper announces surprise tour ahead of new album release

12 August 2025

Chance the Rapper. Credit : Keeley Parenteau

Chance the Rapper has orchestrated a moment fans won’t soon forget, announcing a surprise 15‑city North American tour dubbed the “And We Back Tour” on August 11 just four days before his new album Star Line drops on August 15. This announcement marks his first full-fledged tour in nearly eight years, and it arrives at the perfect moment as anticipation for his latest music builds.

The tour is set to kick off on September 26 in Houston, followed by a journey through major cultural hubs including New Orleans, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington D.C. From there it travels onward to Chicago Chance’s hometown continuing through Boston, Toronto, Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco, Highland (California), Las Vegas, before concluding on October 20 in Los Angeles.

Chance himself encapsulated the sentiment behind the tour with a playful Instagram note asking, “How about a quick tour for my closest fans?” He appeared energized by the prospect of reconnecting directly with audiences after years of festival sets and sporadic performances.

This tour promotes Star Line, the rapper’s first full-length studio album since 2019’s The Big Day. According to the official press release, Star Line is informed by Chance’s personal journey over the past six years, including global travels to places such as Ghana, Jamaica, and various art fairs. The album reportedly blends hip-hop, soul, and experimental sounds with lyrical themes exploring identity, resilience, legacy, and a deeply rooted connection to Chicago and Black culture across the diaspora.

At the forefront of the album’s promotion is the lead single “Tree,” featuring Lil Wayne and Smino. Beyond its catchy surface, Chance explained to Rolling Stone that the song uses cannabis imagery as a metaphor for racial and economic inequities particularly noting how Black farmers have faced obstacles in owning and controlling agricultural production.

For eager fans, ticket pre-sales began on August 12, with general ticket sales opening on August 15, coinciding with the album release.

Chance’s tour announcement is more than a schedule release it’s a narrative statement. After years away from large-scale touring including canceling his 2019 Big Tour after only five shows this return feels intentional and celebratory. He positions And We Back not just as a promotional effort but as a reinvigorated embrace of live connection.