A Masterclass by Chance

(In a single sentence, Chance the Rapper conducted an unplanned and unscripted Masterclass on empathy and compassion.)

“It hurt my feelings when I found out it was a kid; I ain’t gonna lie.” That’s a quote from Chance the Rapper from the sixth episode of Season 25 of The Voice. I rewound my DVR to hear it again and felt my head do the “dog head tilt.” (All dog owners will know what I mean by that.) I rewound it to watch his expressions while making the statement. Then, I rewound it a third time so I could write down his comment. I felt it. His statement and mannerism gave me pause, and I sat momentarily and thought about the scenario. It was like he silently said to fourteen-year-old Raina Cahn, “I see your vulnerability, and I raise it ten!” “It’s The Voice, and this is the show, but she’ll kill it in two years,” said John Legend in response to Chance’s “… hurt my feelings…” comment. Legend wasn’t wrong, and he wasn’t unkind. Legend was logically stating the facts. He had been there before.

I thought about the two coaches' reactions and how greatly they differed. I understand this is Chance’s first season as a Coach on The Voice. Legend has been on the series for multiple seasons, so their experience dealing with such situations differs significantly, as it should.

Like Legend, the other coaches praised Raina and encouraged her to return in two years. Their comments probably brought no comfort at the moment, but when Raina reviews the tape, I am certain their words will uplift her. But Chance’s comments were something more.

I don’t remember what he said to Raina, but I remember how he said it. He seemed to feel her heartbreak. His tone was soft and melodic; he leaned in as though trying to comfort her from his chair. It was lovely. Kind. Compassionate. As one would expect, the child seemed to fight back tears, but that’s what she signed up for. “It’s the Voice, and this is the show….” In that extreme circumstance, she probably couldn’t feel his empathy either. It was there, nonetheless.

“It hurt my feelings when I found out it was a kid…” is powerful to hear and even more powerful to feel. Ultimately, everyone deserves to be told the truth, and it's best served with compassion and kindness. Obviously, I am no longer writing about a televised singing competition. In a single sentence, Chance the Rapper conducted an unplanned and unscripted Masterclass on empathy and compassion. One. Single. Sentence. Bravo, Chance the Rapper. Bravo!

No matter how many seasons we have lived, may our hearts always be capable of feeling, comforting, and caring for others, especially the "Littles."

 (View the 1:27 interaction (above) to see what I'm writing about! Wait until the very end.)