“Letters” by Chance the Rapper is one of the most hard-hitting and emotionally direct tracks from his sophomore studio album STAR LINE, dropping on Friday, August 15, 2025. Unlike some of the more laid-back or soulful cuts on the project, this song is delivered as a series of open letters—”Dear Emerald Avenue Church of God,” “Dear Mega Church,” “Dear Black Church,” and “Dear Body”—each section confronting hypocrisy, systemic failures, personal grief, and the responsibility of the community.
The tone is raw, urgent, and prophetic. Musically, “Letters” leans into minimal, sermon-like pacing that puts Chance’s voice and message front and center. Lyrically, it blurs the lines between spoken-word poetry, gospel realism, and protest rap, reflecting both personal loss (the passing of his Aunt Carolyn) and larger cultural wounds (racial violence, church scandals, historical tragedies). Through direct address, Chance critiques performative faith, political complacency, and the disconnect between scripture and action. Dive into the Letters lyrics below, and feel the pulse of Chance the Rapper’s revolutionary spirit.
| Lead Vocals | Chance the Rapper |
| Songwriter | Chance the Rapper, Peter CottonTale, DexLvL, Nico Segal, Darryl “Lil Man” Howell, Dwayne Verner Jr. & Rachel Robinson |
| Music Producer | Peter CottonTale, DexLvL, Nico Segal, Darryl “Lil Man” Howell & Dwayne Verner Jr. |
| Label | Chance the Rapper |
| Release Date | August 15, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Chance the Rapper |
Lyrics of Letters by Chance the Rapper
[Intro]
Dear Emerald Avenue Church Of God
I Hope This Message Reach You Well,
I Wrote This With A Broken Heart
[Verse 1]
See, Recently My Aunty Carolyn Passed Away,
And Half The Way To The Funeral
I Realized This It’s Some Shit That Niggas Just Gon’ Have To Say
You Think You Outlasted
That Wasn’t Just My Aunty In That Casket
You Just Buried Kok And Sunday Schooling Classes
The Only Saint You See On Every Sunday Season Passes
Somebody Need They Ass Kicked
Who Told You Your Gossip Could Be Louder Than Your Shout?
Who Told You To Walk Inside This House Like It’s Your House?
Who Lied To You, Told You I Wouldn’t Have Nothin’ To Say?
You Think I Won’t—, Man, Don’t Even Trip, I’m On The Way
[Chorus]
I’m On My Way, I’m On My Way, I’m On My Way
I’ll Be There Soon (I’m On The Way)
I’m On My Way (I’m On The Way)
I’m On My Way (I’m On The Way)
I’m On My Way (I’m On The Way)
[Verse 2]
Dear Mega Church, I Hope This Letter Finds You ‘fore I Do
Fund A New Building To Hide You, I’ll Still Be Behind You
Elaborate Theatrics To Blind You
Nickel And Dime You, But I Knew
I’ve Watched You Worship Idols
Branded Bibles, Sell It For Double
Brandish Rifles, Curse And Libel
Withhold Shelter From Niggas For Survival
First Lady’s Walking Around With Furs And Titles
Watch You Spit In A Man’s Face And Call It “God”
But When It’s Really On Your Dogma, It’s Silent Bob
You Just Take Them Government Checks And Smile And Nod
I Rebuke You In The Name Of The Child Of God
I Boil A Pot Of Living Water ’til It’s Scalding Hot
And Pour It On The Altar Of The False Fallen Gods
That Means The Church And The State, I’m Here To Separate
Y’all Think I’m Finna Play With It, Matter Fact, I’m On My Way
[Chorus]
I’m On My Way, I’m On My Way, I’m On My Way
I’ll Be There Soon (I’m On The Way)
I’m On My Way (I’m On The Way)
I’m On My Way (I’m On The Way)
I’m On My Way (I’m On The Way)
[Verse 3]
Dear Black Church, This Is The Real World
Don’t You Forget About Them Four Little Girls
Killed In The Church While They Played In The Nursery
Four Sundays Ago Was Their Anniversary
Jesus Was A Teacher, King Was A Preacher
Malcolm Was A Pk And So Was Aretha
I Say A Little Prayer When My Hand On My Heater
You Reachin’ And I’m Slaying Off Your Ear Like I’m Peter
Don’t Lay Down Now When You Know That We At War
Don’t Lay Down Now When There’s Fire At Your Door
Don’t Lay Down Now When You Know That They Should Feel A Noose
Know It Ain’t Shit To Lynch A Dylann Roof
Instead, You Let The Killer Loose
And Kick Out Folks That You Can’t Handle
Find More Money, Try To Hide More Scandals
That Light Glow From The Mob Is Not More Candles
These Is Torches To Burn It D—
Matter Of A Fact, You Gon’ See We On Our Way
[Chorus]
I’m On My Way, I’m On My Way, I’m On My Way
Let These Words Be Said In Love (Be There Soon)
(I’m On My Way, I’m On My Way) That The Truth Will Set You Free
(I’m On My Way) Take The Log From Out My Eye
(I’m On My Way) Set Fire To The Tree
[Bridge]
When The Empire Falls
And The Kingdom Stands Tall
Let ’em Bow On Bended Knee
Saying Word To Them All
[Verse 4]
Dear Body, Bruised And Broke Body
Abused, Confused And Soaked Body
The Light Of His Eye, The Love In His Hands
The One That Got His Love In Advance
The Love Of His Life, The Covenant Stands
The Body, The Nobodies
The Ones That Went Back In Search Of More Bodies
The Ones That Placed Coins And Mourned And Washed Feet
Ones That Watched The Lil’ Bodies That Lost All Heat
The Body, His Child, His Pride, His Joy
If I Have No Words, My Sword, My Voice
I Write To You With Tattooed Tears And Heavy Shoulders
An Angel With A Hand On His Hip, The Gun Holstered
What Is Violence, If Not Silence?
So Sling That Rock And Slay That Giant
Slow Load That Glock, Niggas, Kill That Tyrant
So Sing That Song, We Sing That Harmony
A Hum Of A Hymn, Touch The Hem Of His Garment
A Young Drummer Boy Did A Stint In The Army
A Rum-pa-pa-pum ’til The Walls Come Crumbling
Strung Up On Wood But The Sun Comes In Morning
[Outro]
Dear Body, Protect The Body
“Who’s All Coming?” “Just Everybody”
Line Those Dots, Connect Everybody
Love, Chance, P.S., Bless Everybody
Frequently Asked Questions
