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Vic Mensa

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Victor Kwesi Mensah (born June 6, 1993), known professionally as Vic Mensa, is an American rapper.[2] Born and raised in Chicago, he was a member of the regional hip hop groups Kids These Days and Savemoney prior to releasing his debut solo mixtape, Innanetape (2013). As a solo artist, Mensa has been signed to Virgin EMI Records, Def Jam Recordings, Capitol Records, and Roc Nation.

Vic Mensa
Mensa in 2017
Mensa in 2017
Background information
Birth nameVictor Kwesi Mensah
Also known asVino
Born (1993-06-06) June 6, 1993 (age 31)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • record producer
Years active2009–present[1]
Labels
Member of
Formerly of
Websitevicmensa.com
Signature

Mensa's 2014 debut single, "Down on My Luck" experimented with hip house, while his 2015 single, "U Mad" (featuring Kanye West) adopted a drill sound; the former entered the top 40 of the UK singles chart, while the latter received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3][4][5] His debut studio album, The Autobiography (2017), was met with critical praise and moderately entered the Billboard 200, while his second album, Victor (2023), failed to chart. Despite limited mainstream success himself, he has collaborated with high-profile artists including Kanye West, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Wyclef Jean, and Skrillex, among others.[6]

Mensa has been involved in political activism and charitable efforts in his hometown of Chicago, being heavily outspoken on the issue of gun violence. He also is the founder of the SavemoneySavelife foundation, whose mission is to use art and entertainment to foster sustainable change, and funds three programs in Chicago centered on health and the arts.[7][8]

Early life and education

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Victor Kwesi Mensah was born on June 6, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois.[9] His father is from Ghana and his mother is a white American.[10] Mensa grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.[11] He attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. Mensa began his career when he formed a band called Kids These Days in 2009. The band would eventually release two projects, an extended play titled Hard Times in 2011,[12] and a mixtape titled Traphouse Rock in 2012.[13]

Career

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2013–2014: Innanetape and XXL Freshman Class

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Main article: Innanetape

Following the band's split up in May 2013,[14] Mensa performed with Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn at Albarn's 2014 performance at the Governors Ball Music Festival, where he performed the track "Clint Eastwood", filling in for MC Del the Funky Homosapien.[15] When announcing a tour for 2015, Mensa said that he has plans to collaborate with Albarn sometime in the near future.[16]

On September 18, 2013, it was announced, that Mensa would be joining J. Cole and Wale on the What Dreams May Come Tour.[17] Mensa would eventually release his debut mixtape, Innanetape, which was released on September 30, 2013.

 
Vic Mensa in 2014

Following the end of the What Dreams May Come Tour, he toured Europe with Danny Brown, for the beginning of February 21, 2014 and ending on March 8.[18] To cap off his rise to stardom, Mensa was chosen to be on the cover of XXL for the Freshman Class of 2014.[19] Mensa's debut single "Down on My Luck" was serviced to urban contemporary radio in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2014.[20] That same day, the accompanying music video was released.[21] "Down on My Luck" was then released for digital download in international markets on June 6, 2014, by Virgin EMI Records.[22][23]

2015–2017: There's Alot Going On and The Autobiography

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Main articles: There's Alot Going On and The Autobiography (Vic Mensa album)

On February 12, 2015, Kanye West debuted a song, titled "Wolves" at his Adidas Originals showcase. The song featured Mensa himself, along with Sia.[24] Mensa later performed "Wolves" alongside West and Sia on Saturday Night Live's 40th Anniversary Celebration three days later.[25][26] Mensa would later release an official collaboration with Kanye West, titled "U Mad" on April 10.[27] Eleven days later, Roc Nation announced that Vic had signed to its label, and a video of Mensa signing the deal alongside Jay-Z backstage at his On the Run Tour in Chicago was released on Tidal. Later on in 2015, Mensa received a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 58th Grammy Awards as a songwriter for co-writing Kanye West's single "All Day".[28]

On February 8, 2016, it was announced that Mensa, along with Travis Scott and iLoveMakonnen, will be a part of Alexander Wang's "WANGSQUAD" campaign.[29] On February 19, Mensa released a single, "No Chill", featuring Skrillex. It was produced by Skrillex himself and Jahlil Beats.[30] Mensa guest appeared on Kanye West's single "Wolves", from his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo. A reworked version of the song, which included previously removed guest vocals from Mensa and Australian singer Sia, separated Frank Ocean vocals into a separate track, and was released on Tidal on March 16, 2016.[31]

On June 3, 2016, Mensa released his second extended play, There's Alot Going On. With one guest feature from American singer Ty Dolla Sign, the EP tackled issues such as the Flint water crisis, the murder of Laquan McDonald, and self-inflicted wounds.[32] Mensa's EP debuted at number 127 on the US Billboard 200.[33]

He and his friends were stopped by police for assumed stealing after his spending spree at Barney's of $4,000.[34] He has performed as the opening act during Justin Bieber's Purpose World Tour in Europe.[35]

Leading up to the release of Mensa's debut studio album, he released his third extended play, The Manuscript on June 8, 2017.[36] Three days later, Mensa announced and revealed the album's title of his debut studio album titled, The Autobiography.[37] Mensa would release the lead single titled, "Wings" featuring Pharrell Williams and Saul Williams on July 13.[38] The Autobiography was released on July 28, 2017, through Roc Nation.[39] The album featured guest appearances from Weezer, Syd, The-Dream, Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Pharrell Williams, Saul Williams, Ty Dolla Sign, and Pusha T.[40] The album debuted at number 27 on the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 15,000 units first week.[41][42][33]

2018–2019: Hooligans and 93Punx

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Mensa released his fourth EP, Hooligans, on December 14, 2018.[43] It was supported by the singles "Reverse", featuring G-Eazy,, and "Dark Things".[44][45]

In January 2019, Mensa formed a punk rock and rap band named 93Punx, which subsequently released a cover of the Cranberries song "Zombie".[46] 93Punx later issued their debut single, "Camp America", featuring children in cages in an ICE-inspired video.[47] The singles "3 Years Sober" with Travis Barker and "It's a Bad Dream", featuring Good Charlotte, came out in July and August 2019, respectively.[48] The band's self-titled debut album was released on August 23, 2019.[49]

2020-present: V Tape, Akilla's Escape, I Tape and Vino Valentino

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Mensa returned in August 2020 with his first single of the year, "No More Teardrops", featuring Malik Yusef and Wyatt Waddell, a song tackling police brutality, street crime, corruption and the prison system. The song appeared on Roc Nation's compilation album, Reprise.[50] Mensa would later release his fifth extended play, V Tape, on August 21, 2020, which features from Snoh Alaegra, SAINt JHN, BJ Chicago Kid, Peter Cottontale and Eryn Allen Kane.[51]

Also in 2020, Mensa would take a leap into acting in the TIFF film Akilla's Escape, in which he played the character Prince.[52] The film would go on to be nominated for 8 Canadian Screen Awards subsequently winning 5 of them, including Best Original Screenplay[53]

On March 26, 2021, Mensa put out the album I Tape, again under Roc Nation. The album further explored the themes of the American Dream that riddled his prior works, discussing the shattering of expectations brought on by the reality of systematic abuse.[54] The album quickly garnered commendation from rap news outlets for its unabashed condemnation and meditation on racial injustice in America and its message of prison reform.[55] With tracks featuring Chance The Rapper and Wyclef Jean,[56] the album saw a good wave of popularity in the underground scene, and signaled a return to form for the rapper from a critical standpoint.[57]

Off the heels of I TAPE's praise, he would go on to release the 4 song EP Vino Valentino on Valentine's Day 2022.[58]

Controversy

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In October 2018, as part of his BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, Mensa dissed late rapper XXXTentacion, referencing his domestic abuse charges and mocking his murder. Subsequently, he received backlash on social media as well as from other artists.[59] Mensa later apologized on Instagram for dissing XXXTentacion in front of his mother, but stood by the lyrics, saying:

"Recently, I did a freestyle for the BET [Hip Hop] Awards cypher addressing and condemning rappers who unabashedly abuse women and those who stand up for them and even call them legends, I stand behind those statements. It was pre-recorded weeks ago, and I had no idea a grieving mother would be in the audience to honour her lost son. I never intended to disrespect her, and I offer my deepest condolences for her loss at the hands of gun violence. However, I vehemently reject the trend in Hip Hop of championing abusers, and I will not hold my tongue about it. I don't give a fuck about getting attention. I care about bringing awareness and holding people accountable for their actions".[60]

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On January 15, 2022, Mensah was arrested at the Dulles Airport by the Metro Police after Border Protection discovered LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, capsules and gummies. He was charged with felony narcotics possession.[61]

Artistry

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In interviews with XXL and Complex, Mensa cited hip hop artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Earl Sweatshirt, A Tribe Called Quest, Timbaland, Eminem, Biggie Smalls, Missy Elliott, Lupe Fiasco, UGK, J Dilla, The Pharcyde, DMX, Nas, 2Pac, Hieroglyphics, De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Wayne, Kid Rock, and Snoop Dogg as musical influences.[62][63] In 2013, XXL called his breakthrough mixtape Innanetape "lyrical nourishment" and commented on his ability to "bend words at will, cramming syllables into lines with obvious glee."[64] In his music and in public discourse, Mensa has been vocal about gun violence and other social issues, including mental health.[65]

Discography

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Main article: Vic Mensa discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

  • 93Punx (with 93Punx) (2019)

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Nominated work Result
2015 mtvU Woodie Awards[66] Best Video Woodie "Down on My Luck" Nominated
2016 Grammy Awards Best Rap Song "All Day" (as a songwriter) Nominated
2018 NAACP Image Awards[67] Outstanding New Artist Himself Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Vic Mensa — 25 New Rappers to Watch Out For". Complex. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  2. ^ Florez, Joey (July 27, 2016). "5 Influential Rappers That Broke The Mental Health Stigma". HuffPost.
  3. ^ "Listen: Vic Mensa – 'U Mad' (Feat. Kanye West)". April 13, 2015.
  4. ^ Ramirez, Erika (April 22, 2015). "Vic Mensa Signs to Roc Nation". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  5. ^ "Top Of The Year: The Deans List (Top 25 Artists of 2013)". January 15, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Hip-Hop's Future Moguls: Post Malone, Cardi B And The Class of 2018". Forbes. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Mensa, Vic (July 18, 2018). "Vic Mensa: 'I Am a Gun Owner, and I Vehemently Support Gun Control'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  8. ^ Holmes, Charles. "Vic Mensa Explains How Gun Violence Has Affected His Life In New Op-Ed". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Madden, Sidney (June 6, 2016). "Happy Birthday, Vic Mensa!". XXL. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  10. ^ McQuaid, Ian (August 4, 2015). "Vic Mensa: meet Kanye's punk protege". The Guardian.
  11. ^ Spanos, Brittany. "How Rap Phenom Vic Mensa Cheated Death and Charmed Kanye". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015.
  12. ^ Young, Alex (June 23, 2011). "Album Review: Kids These Days – Hard Times EP". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  13. ^ Vitale, Alyssa (November 21, 2011). "Jeff Tweedy producing Chicago band Kids These Days' debut record". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  14. ^ Buyanovsky, Dan (May 8, 2013). "Exclusive: Vic Mensa Announces End Of Kids These Days, Drops Solo Video". XXL. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  15. ^ Young, Alex. (2014-06-09) Watch: Damon Albarn performs with De La Soul, Vic Mensa at Governors Ball. Consequence of Sound. Retrieved on 2016-01-08.
  16. ^ Moskovitch, Greg (August 5, 2014). "Vic Mensa Confirms Early 2015 Tour". Music Feeds. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  17. ^ "Vic Mensa Joins J. Cole's 'What Dreams May Come Tour'". Illroots. September 18, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  18. ^ C. Vernon Coleman (January 11, 2014). "Vic Mensa Joining Danny Brown For Upcoming European Tour – XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  19. ^ Sia, Nicole (May 5, 2014). "XXL Freshmen 2014 Cover Revealed - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  20. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra Playlist". Archived from the original on June 13, 2006.
  21. ^ "Isaiah Rashad – XXL". Xxlmag.com. May 9, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  22. ^ "iTunes – Music – Down On My Luck – Single by Vic Mensa". Itunes.apple.com. June 6, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  23. ^ Montanez, Eric (May 12, 2014). "Vic Mensa – Down On My Luck". Hypetrak. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  24. ^ "Kanye Unleashes 'Wolves' Featuring Sia And Vic Mensa At His 750 Boost Fashion Show". Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  25. ^ "Everything We Know About Kanye West's "Wolves"". Complex. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Watch Kanye West Perform New Song 'Wolves' on 'SNL' 40th Anniversary Special". Billboard. February 16, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  27. ^ "U Mad (feat. Kanye West) by Vic Mensa on Apple Music". April 20, 2015. April 20, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  28. ^ "Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees". Billboard. December 7, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  29. ^ Smith, Trevor (February 8, 2016). "Vic Mensa part of Wang Campaign". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  30. ^ "No Chill - Single by Vic Mensa & Skrillex on Apple Music". iTunes. February 19, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  31. ^ Brandle, Lars (March 16, 2016). "Kanye West Shares Reworked Version of 'Wolves' on Tidal". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  32. ^ "Vic Mensa Talks Emotional 'There's Alot Going On' EP, Encourages Fans to Vote". Billboard. June 3, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  33. ^ a b "Vic Mensa – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  34. ^ Robinson, Collin (August 5, 2016). "Vic Mensa and his friends stopped by police". Stereogum. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  35. ^ Huynh, Davis. "Vic Mensa & Justin Bieber Announce European Tour". Hypetrak. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  36. ^ "The Manuscript - EP by Vic Mensa on Apple Music". iTunes. June 10, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  37. ^ "Vic Mensa Announces Debut Album 'The Autobiography'". Vibe. July 12, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  38. ^ "Listen to "Wings," Vic Mensa's New Single with Pharrell and Saul Williams". Vice. July 14, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  39. ^ Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (July 11, 2017). "Vic Mensa Announces Debut Album The Autobiography". The Fader. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  40. ^ Berry, Peter A. (July 14, 2017). "Vic Mensa Shares 'The Autobiography' Album Cover, Tracklist and New Song "Wings"". XXL. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  41. ^ Eustice, Kyle (August 7, 2017). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Vic Mensa's "The Autobiography" Is His Biggest Project Yet". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  42. ^ Ortiz, Edwin (December 30, 2017). "Here Are the First Week Album Numbers in 2017". Complex. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  43. ^ "Vic Mensa drops new Hooligans EP: stream". Consequence of Sound. December 14, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  44. ^ "Reverse / Vic Mensa TIDAL". Tidal. June 8, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  45. ^ "Vic Mensa Cuts His Teeth in Goth-Rap with "Dark Things". HotNewHipHop. November 21, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  46. ^ Klinkenberg, Brendan (December 2019). "Hear Vic Mensa Cover 'Zombie' Honoring Cranberries' Singer Dolores O'Riordan". Rolling Stone.
  47. ^ Stern, Marlow (June 14, 2019). "Exclusive: Vic Mensa's Shocking ICE-Inspired Rap Video Featuring White Kids in Cages". Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  48. ^ Cowen, Trace Willam (August 16, 2019). "Vic Mensa Announces Debut 93PUNX Project, Shares "It's a Bad Dream" f/ Good Charlotte". Complex. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  49. ^ "93PUNX by 93PUNX & Vic Mensa on Apple Music". iTunes. August 23, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  50. ^ "Vic Mensa Speaks On Our Troubled Times With "No More Teardrops"". HotNewHipHop. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  51. ^ "V TAPE by Vic Mensa". Apple Music. August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  52. ^ Officer, Charles (July 15, 2021), Akilla's Escape (Crime, Drama), Canesugar Filmworks, retrieved June 2, 2022
  53. ^ "Canadian Screen Awards Virtual Presentations". Academy.ca. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  54. ^ "One Listen Album Review: "I Tape" by Vic Mensa". The Stanford Daily. April 8, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  55. ^ "Vic Mensa – 'I Tape' EP review: Chicago rapper channels the voice of the voiceless". NME. March 26, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  56. ^ "Vic Mensa Delivers New Project 'I TAPE'". HYPEBEAST. March 26, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  57. ^ Büsh (August 22, 2020). "Vic Mensa's 'V Tape' Proves That We Give Up On Artists Too Easily". lampin. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  58. ^ "Listen to Vic Mensa's New EP 'Vino Valentino' f/ Malik Yusef, Peter CottonTale, and More". Complex. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  59. ^ Vic Mensa Addresses XXXTentacion Controversy on ‘Empathy’ - Rolling Stone Reports
  60. ^ Trendel, Andrew (October 9, 2018). "Vic Mensa apologises for dissing XXXTentacion in front of his mother". NME. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  61. ^ Rapper Arrested at Dulles Airport after CBP Officers Discovered illicit Narcotics Cache in Baggage U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  62. ^ "Vic Mensa – XXL". Xxlmag.com. May 16, 2014.
  63. ^ Vic Mensa: Who is the New Chicago Rapper?. Complex (2014-02-06). Retrieved on 2016-01-08.
  64. ^ Xxlmag.com. Xxlmag.com. Retrieved on 2016-01-08.
  65. ^ Grant, Shawn (October 19, 2021). "5 Hip-Hop Artists That Broke The Mental Health Stigma". The Source.
  66. ^ "mtvU Announces '2015 mtvU Woodie Awards' Nominees". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  67. ^ "NAACP Image Awards Nominees". Deadline. November 20, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
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