The Chicago Transit Authority just dropped one of the most Chicago partnerships in recent memory. Chance the Rapper and the Chicago Transit Authority have officially teamed up for a new campaign called “Enjoy the Ride,” blending civic pride, storytelling, and hometown nostalgia into one major moment for the city.

And yes — Chance’s voice will literally be on the CTA.

CTA + Chance: Two Chicago Icons on One Track

The campaign is the latest move in what CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen calls a historic partnership between the transit agency and one of Chicago’s greatest musical ambassadors.

The “Enjoy the Ride” campaign includes:

• A new episode of CTA’s podcast, “Moving Experiences: Stories of the CTA,” featuring a conversation between CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen and Chance the Rapper.
• Two new station announcements recorded by Chance that will be heard at rail stations across the system for several weeks starting Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
• Three exclusive CTA x Chance the Rapper posters available for fans to download.

Leerhsen calls it a true hometown collaboration:

“This is a unique partnership between two Chicago icons — CTA and Chance — that allows us to celebrate the special meaning they both have for our great city. At CTA, we are thrilled to showcase Chance’s artistry and accomplishments while telling the story of his Chicago roots riding CTA in his early days. This partnership represents true Chicago and CTA pride, and we are excited to share it with our riders and employees.”

Why This Partnership Matters to Chance

For Chance, this is more than a promo moment. It is a full-circle connection back to how he moved through the city growing up.

“I think this partnership is so important because I grew up taking the red line train from 79th,” said Chance. “All of the train lines create a pathway to connection and an opportunity for people to build community, and that’s what STAR LINE is about. It’s about us forming together to fight anything that’s going against us. This is an important time in the city for people to stand up, be brave and protective of each other.”

The partnership ties directly into Chance’s critically acclaimed album, STAR LINE, and the themes of connection and resilience that run through the project. The campaign even weaves in his hit single, “Ride,” which will be featured in the rail station announcements.

Born at Bud Billiken, Announced at Homecoming

Acting President Leerhsen and Chance first connected around the idea at the 2025 Bud Billiken Parade, a longtime Chicago institution in its own right. From there, the concept grew into a full campaign that celebrates both Chance’s journey and the transit system that helped shape it.

The partnership was originally announced at a special event on Friday, October 10, 2025, the day of Chance’s homecoming “And We Back” Tour date. That rollout set the stage for the December launch of the campaign, where riders will start hearing Chance’s voice across CTA rail stations.

All of the new campaign assets — the latest podcast episode, station announcements, and downloadable posters — are available at:

www.transitchicago.com/chancetherapper

WTW’s Take: Chicago Stories on the Move

This collaboration lands at the intersection of culture, community and everyday city life. For years, CTA has been the backdrop for Chicago stories: kids heading to school, artists sliding to studio sessions, workers navigating all corners of the city. Chance turning that lived experience into an official partnership feels like a natural evolution.

It is also a reminder that public spaces can be cultural spaces. By putting Chance’s voice, music and story into station announcements and a CTA podcast, the agency is not just moving people from stop to stop. It is amplifying a Chicago narrative that starts at 79th and stretches across the map.

Connection is the through line here. From STAR LINE to “Enjoy the Ride,” the message stays the same: Chicago is at its best when people look out for each other, stand together and stay in motion.

Fast Facts

• Campaign: “Enjoy the Ride” – CTA x Chance the Rapper
• Launch: Station announcements begin Wednesday, December 3, 2025
• Elements: CTA podcast episode, two new rail station announcements, three downloadable posters
• Theme: Community, connection and Chance’s Chicago roots riding CTA from 79th
• More Info: transitchicago.com/chancetherapper