Vic Mensa
{{Short description|American rapper (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = VicMensa (cropped).jpg
| caption = Mensa in 2017
| birth_name = Victor Kwesi Mensah
| alias = Vino
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|06|06}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter|actor|record producer}}
| years_active = 2009–present name="complexvic">{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/25-new-rappers-to-watch-out-for/vic-mensa |title=Vic Mensa — 25 New Rappers to Watch Out For |publisher=Complex |access-date=July 13, 2014}} | genre = Hip hop | label = {{hlist|Roc Nation|Def Jam|Capitol|Closed Sessions|Virgin EMI}} | current_member_of = {{hlist|93Punx|Savemoney}} | past_member_of = {{hlist|Kids These Days}} {{Infobox person | child = yes | signature = Vic Mensa signature, Billboard Open Letter 2016.png | website = {{URL|vicmensa.com}} }} }} Victor Kwesi Mensah (born June 6, 1993), known professionally as Vic Mensa, is an American rapper.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5-influential-rappers-that-broke-the-mental-health_us_57896a66e4b0e7c873500ec7 |last=Florez |first=Joey |title=5 Influential Rappers That Broke The Mental Health Stigma |date=2016-07-27 |work=HuffPost }} 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. 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).{{cite web | url=https://acclaimmag.com/music/listen-vic-mensa-u-mad-feat-kanye-west | title=Listen: Vic Mensa – 'U Mad' (Feat. Kanye West) | date=April 13, 2015 }}{{Cite magazine |last=Ramirez |first=Erika |date=2015-04-22 |title=Vic Mensa Signs to Roc Nation |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/vic-mensa-signs-roc-nation-6538961/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2014-01-15 |title=Top Of The Year: The Deans List (Top 25 Artists of 2013) |url=http://www.ok-tho.com/2014/01/top-of-year-deans-list-top-25-artists.html |access-date=2023-10-26 |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Greenburg |first=Zack O'Malley |title=Hip-Hop's Future Moguls: Post Malone, Cardi B And The Class of 2018 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2018/01/09/hip-hops-future-moguls-post-malone-cardi-b-and-the-class-of-2018/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Forbes |language=en}} 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.{{Cite magazine|last1=Mensa|first1=Vic|date=2018-07-18|title=Vic Mensa: 'I Am a Gun Owner, and I Vehemently Support Gun Control'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vic-mensa-gun-violence-opinion-698890/|access-date=2020-08-25|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Holmes|first=Charles|title=Vic Mensa Explains How Gun Violence Has Affected His Life In New Op-Ed|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3082431/vic-mensa-gun-control/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719025003/http://www.mtv.com/news/3082431/vic-mensa-gun-control/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2018|access-date=2020-08-25|website=MTV News|language=en}}
Early life and education
Victor Kwesi Mensah was born on June 6, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois.{{cite web|last=Madden|first=Sidney|date=June 6, 2016|title=Happy Birthday, Vic Mensa!|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/06/happy-birthday-vic-mensa/|access-date=June 18, 2016|work=XXL}} His father is from Ghana and his mother is a white American.{{cite web|last1=McQuaid|first1=Ian|title=Vic Mensa: meet Kanye's punk protege|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/04/vic-mensa-rapper-kanye-west-protege|work=The Guardian|date=August 4, 2015}} Mensa grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.{{cite web|last1=Spanos|first1=Brittany|title=How Rap Phenom Vic Mensa Cheated Death and Charmed Kanye|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-chicago-rap-phenom-vic-mensa-cheated-death-and-charmed-kanye-20151015?page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018001149/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-chicago-rap-phenom-vic-mensa-cheated-death-and-charmed-kanye-20151015?page=2|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2015|publisher=Rolling Stone}} 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,{{cite web|last=Young|first=Alex|title=Album Review: Kids These Days – Hard Times EP|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/06/album-review-kids-these-days-ihard-timesi-ep/|access-date=March 3, 2018|newspaper=Consequence of Sound|date=June 23, 2011}} and a mixtape titled Traphouse Rock in 2012.{{cite web|last=Vitale|first=Alyssa|title=Jeff Tweedy producing Chicago band Kids These Days' debut record|url=https://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/jeff-tweedy-producing-chicago-band-kids-these-days,65530/|access-date=March 3, 2018|newspaper=The A.V. Club|date=November 21, 2011}}
Career
=2013–2014: ''Innanetape'' and XXL Freshman Class=
{{main|Innanetape}}
Following the band's split up in May 2013,{{cite web|last=Buyanovsky|first=Dan|title=Exclusive: Vic Mensa Announces End Of Kids These Days, Drops Solo Video|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/05/exclusive-vic-mensa-announces-end-of-kids-these-days-drops-solo-video/|access-date=March 3, 2018|magazine= XXL|date=May 8, 2013}} 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.Young, Alex. (2014-06-09) [http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/06/watch-damon-albarn-performs-with-de-la-soul-vic-mensa-at-governors-ball/ Watch: Damon Albarn performs with De La Soul, Vic Mensa at Governors Ball]. Consequence of Sound. Retrieved on 2016-01-08. When announcing a tour for 2015, Mensa said that he has plans to collaborate with Albarn sometime in the near future.{{cite web|last1=Moskovitch|first1=Greg|title=Vic Mensa Confirms Early 2015 Tour|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/vic-mensa-confirms-early-2015-tour/|website=Music Feeds|date=August 5, 2014|access-date=May 17, 2015}}
On September 18, 2013, it was announced, that Mensa would be joining J. Cole and Wale on the What Dreams May Come Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.illroots.com/read/vic-mensa-joins-j-coles-what-dreams-may-come-tour |title=Vic Mensa Joins J. Cole's 'What Dreams May Come Tour' |publisher=Illroots |date=September 18, 2013 |access-date=July 13, 2014}} Mensa would eventually release his debut mixtape, Innanetape, which was released on September 30, 2013.
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.{{cite web|author=C. Vernon Coleman |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/01/vic-mensa-joining-danny-brown-upcoming-european-tour/ |title=Vic Mensa Joining Danny Brown For Upcoming European Tour – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=January 11, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014}} To cap off his rise to stardom, Mensa was chosen to be on the cover of XXL for the Freshman Class of 2014.{{cite web|last=Sia |first=Nicole |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/05/xxl-freshmen-2014-cover-revealed/ |title=XXL Freshmen 2014 Cover Revealed - XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=May 5, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014}} Mensa's debut single "Down on My Luck" was serviced to urban contemporary radio in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/playlist|title=BBC Radio 1Xtra Playlist|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613121623/http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/playlist/|url-status=live|archive-date=June 13, 2006|df=mdy-all}} That same day, the accompanying music video was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-freshmen-2014/2014/05/isaiah-rashard/ |title=Isaiah Rashad – XXL |date=May 9, 2014 |publisher=Xxlmag.com |access-date=July 13, 2014}} "Down on My Luck" was then released for digital download in international markets on June 6, 2014, by Virgin EMI Records.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/down-on-my-luck-single/874930430 |title=iTunes – Music – Down On My Luck – Single by Vic Mensa |publisher=iTunes |date=June 6, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Montanez |first=Eric |url=http://hypetrak.com/2014/05/vic-mensa-down-on-my-luck-2/ |title=Vic Mensa – Down On My Luck |publisher=Hypetrak |date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=July 13, 2014}}
=2015–2017: ''There's Alot Going On'' and ''The Autobiography''=
{{main|There's Alot Going On|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.{{cite web|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/54746/kanye-unleashes-wolves-at-fashion-show/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011020107/http://www.vh1.com/news/54746/kanye-unleashes-wolves-at-fashion-show/|url-status=live|archive-date=October 11, 2015|title=Kanye Unleashes 'Wolves' Featuring Sia And Vic Mensa At His 750 Boost Fashion Show|access-date=March 4, 2018}} Mensa later performed "Wolves" alongside West and Sia on Saturday Night Live's 40th Anniversary Celebration three days later.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2015/02/everything-we-know-kanye-west-wolves|title=Everything We Know About Kanye West's "Wolves"|website=Complex|access-date=March 4, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6472986/watch-kanye-west-perform-new-song-wolves-on-snl-saturday-night-live-40-anniversary|title=Watch Kanye West Perform New Song 'Wolves' on 'SNL' 40th Anniversary Special|magazine=Billboard|date=February 16, 2015|access-date=March 4, 2018}} Mensa would later release an official collaboration with Kanye West, titled "U Mad" on April 10.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/u-mad-feat-kanye-west-single/987725958|title=U Mad (feat. Kanye West) by Vic Mensa on Apple Music|work=April 20, 2015|date=April 20, 2015|access-date=March 3, 2018}} 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".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6785974/grammy-nominations-2016-full-list|title=Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees|magazine=Billboard|date=December 7, 2015|access-date=March 3, 2018}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/travis-scott-vic-mensa-makonnen-to-be-featured-in-new-alexander-wang-campaign-news.20050.html|title=Vic Mensa part of Wang Campaign|last=Smith|first=Trevor|work=Hotnewhiphop|date=February 8, 2016|access-date=February 8, 2016}} On February 19, Mensa released a single, "No Chill", featuring Skrillex. It was produced by Skrillex himself and Jahlil Beats.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-chill-single/1445282243|title=No Chill - Single by Vic Mensa & Skrillex on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=February 19, 2016|access-date=March 3, 2018}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Brandle|first1=Lars|title=Kanye West Shares Reworked Version of 'Wolves' on Tidal|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7262733/kanye-west-reworked-version-wolves-tidal|access-date=March 3, 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=March 16, 2016}}
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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7393451/vic-mensa-theres-a-lot-going-on-interview|title=Vic Mensa Talks Emotional 'There's Alot Going On' EP, Encourages Fans to Vote|magazine=Billboard|date=June 3, 2016|access-date=March 4, 2018}} Mensa's EP debuted at number 127 on the US Billboard 200.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/vic-mensa/chart-history/tlp/|title=Vic Mensa – Chart history: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 3, 2018}}
He and his friends were stopped by police for assumed stealing after his spending spree at Barney's of $4,000.{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1892666/lapd-accuse-vic-mensa-of-stealing-from-barneys/video/ |title=Vic Mensa and his friends stopped by police |last=Robinson |first=Collin |date=August 5, 2016 |website=Stereogum |access-date=August 5, 2016}} He has performed as the opening act during Justin Bieber's Purpose World Tour in Europe.{{cite web|url=http://hypetrak.com/2016/08/vic-mensa-justin-bieber-announce-european-tour/|title=Vic Mensa & Justin Bieber Announce European Tour|last=Huynh|first=Davis|work=Hypetrak|access-date=August 12, 2016}}
Leading up to the release of Mensa's debut studio album, he released his third extended play, The Manuscript on June 8, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-manuscript-ep/1244207336|title=The Manuscript - EP by Vic Mensa on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=June 10, 2017|access-date=March 3, 2018}} Three days later, Mensa announced and revealed the album's title of his debut studio album titled, The Autobiography.{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2017/07/vic-mensa-announces-the-autobiography/|title=Vic Mensa Announces Debut Album 'The Autobiography'|website=Vibe|date=July 12, 2017|access-date=March 3, 2018}} Mensa would release the lead single titled, "Wings" featuring Pharrell Williams and Saul Williams on July 13.{{cite web|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/nevqqb/listen-to-wings-vic-mensas-new-single-with-pharrell-and-saul-williams|title=Listen to "Wings," Vic Mensa's New Single with Pharrell and Saul Williams|work=Vice|date=July 14, 2017|access-date=March 3, 2018}} The Autobiography was released on July 28, 2017, through Roc Nation.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/07/11/vic-mensa-announces-debut-album-the-autobiography|title=Vic Mensa Announces Debut Album The Autobiography|work=The Fader|first=Ben|last=Dandridge-Lemco|date=July 11, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2017}} The album featured guest appearances from Weezer, Syd, The-Dream, Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Pharrell Williams, Saul Williams, Ty Dolla Sign, and Pusha T.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/07/vic-mensa-the-autobiography-album-cover-tracklist-song-wings/|title=Vic Mensa Shares 'The Autobiography' Album Cover, Tracklist and New Song "Wings"|work=XXL|first=Peter A.|last=Berry|date=July 14, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2017}} The album debuted at number 27 on the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 15,000 units first week.{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.44294/title.hip-hop-album-sales-vic-mensas-the-autobiography-is-his-biggest-project-yet|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Vic Mensa's "The Autobiography" Is His Biggest Project Yet|work=HipHopDX|first=Kyle|last=Eustice|date=August 7, 2017|access-date=March 3, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/12/first-week-album-numbers-2017/|title=Here Are the First Week Album Numbers in 2017|work=Complex|first=Edwin|last=Ortiz|date=December 30, 2017|access-date=March 3, 2018}}
=2018–2019: ''Hooligans and'' ''93Punx''=
Mensa released his fourth EP, Hooligans, on December 14, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/12/vic-mensa-hooligans-ep-stream/|title=Vic Mensa drops new Hooligans EP: stream|work=Consequence of Sound|date=December 14, 2018|access-date=December 14, 2018}} It was supported by the singles "Reverse", featuring G-Eazy, and "Dark Things".{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/89756199|title=Reverse / Vic Mensa TIDAL|date=June 8, 2018 |publisher=Tidal|access-date=December 29, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/vic-mensa-cuts-his-teeth-in-goth-rap-with-dark-things-new-song.1981147.html?_amp|title=Vic Mensa Cuts His Teeth in Goth-Rap with "Dark Things|date=November 21, 2018 |publisher=HotNewHipHop|access-date=December 29, 2019}}
In January 2019, Mensa formed a punk rock and rap band named 93Punx, which subsequently released a cover of the Cranberries song "Zombie".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-vic-mensa-cover-zombie-honoring-cranberries-singer-dolores-oriordan-779577/|title=Hear Vic Mensa Cover 'Zombie' Honoring Cranberries' Singer Dolores O'Riordan|first1=Brendan|last1=Klinkenberg|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 2019}} 93Punx later issued their debut single, "Camp America", featuring children in cages in an ICE-inspired video.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-vic-mensa-led-93punxs-shocking-ice-inspired-rap-video-for-camp-america-featuring-white-kids-in-cages|title=Exclusive: Vic Mensa's Shocking ICE-Inspired Rap Video Featuring White Kids in Cages|last=Stern|first=Marlow|date=2019-06-14|access-date=2019-06-15}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Cowen|first1=Trace Willam|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/08/vic-mensa-93punx-its-a-bad-dream-good-charlotte|title=Vic Mensa Announces Debut 93PUNX Project, Shares "It's a Bad Dream" f/ Good Charlotte|publisher=Complex|date=August 16, 2019|access-date=December 29, 2019}} The band's self-titled debut album was released on August 23, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/93punx/1476572448|title=93PUNX by 93PUNX & Vic Mensa on Apple Music|date=August 23, 2019|publisher=iTunes|access-date=December 29, 2019}}
= 2020-present: ''V Tape, Akilla's Escape, I Tape and Vino Valentino'' =
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.{{cite web |date=August 10, 2020 |title=Vic Mensa Speaks On Our Troubled Times With "No More Teardrops" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/vic-mensa-speaks-on-our-troubled-times-with-no-more-teardrops-new-song.1988229.html? |access-date=August 12, 2020 |work=HotNewHipHop}} 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.{{cite web |date=August 21, 2020 |title=V TAPE by Vic Mensa |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/v-tape/1526765338 |access-date=August 21, 2020 |work=Apple Music}}
Also in 2020, Mensa would take a leap into acting in the TIFF film Akilla's Escape, in which he played the character Prince.{{Citation |last=Officer |first=Charles |title=Akilla's Escape |date=2021-07-15 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12779696/ |type=Crime, Drama |publisher=Canesugar Filmworks |access-date=2022-06-02}} The film would go on to be nominated for 8 Canadian Screen Awards subsequently winning 5 of them, including Best Original [https://www.academy.ca/virtualpresentations/ Screenplay]{{Cite web |title=Canadian Screen Awards Virtual Presentations |url=https://www.academy.ca/virtualpresentations/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Academy.ca |language=en-US}}
On March 26, 2021, Mensa put out the album I Tape, again under [https://www.rocnation.com/ 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.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-08 |title=One Listen Album Review: "I Tape" by Vic Mensa |url=https://stanforddaily.com/2021/04/07/one-listen-album-review-i-tape-by-vic-mensa/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=The Stanford Daily |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-26 |title=Vic Mensa – 'I Tape' EP review: Chicago rapper channels the voice of the voiceless |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/vic-mensa-i-tape-review-2908617 |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} With tracks featuring Chance The Rapper and Wyclef Jean,{{Cite web |date=2021-03-26 |title=Vic Mensa Delivers New Project 'I TAPE' |url=https://hypebeast.com/2021/3/vic-mensa-i-tape-album-stream |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=HYPEBEAST}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Büsh |date=2020-08-22 |title=Vic Mensa's 'V Tape' Proves That We Give Up On Artists Too Easily |url=https://www.lampinblog.com/single-post/2020/08/22/we-give-up-on-artists-too-easily |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=lampin |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Listen to Vic Mensa's New EP 'Vino Valentino' f/ Malik Yusef, Peter CottonTale, and More |url=https://www.complex.com/music/vic-mensa-vino-valentino-new-ep |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Complex |language=en}}
Controversy
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.[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vic-mensa-xxxtentacion-controversy-empathy-739396/ Vic Mensa Addresses XXXTentacion Controversy on ‘Empathy’] - Rolling Stone Reports 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".{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Trendel|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/vic-mensa-apologises-dissing-xxxtentacion-front-mother-bet-awards-freestyle-2388068|title=Vic Mensa apologises for dissing XXXTentacion in front of his mother|website=NME|date=October 9, 2018|access-date=December 30, 2019}}
Legal issues
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.[https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/rapper-arrested-dulles-airport-after-cbp-officers-discovered-illicit Rapper Arrested at Dulles Airport after CBP Officers Discovered illicit Narcotics Cache in Baggage] U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Artistry
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.{{cite web|title=Vic Mensa – XXL|date=May 16, 2014 |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-freshmen-2014/2014/05/vic-mensa-2/|publisher=Xxlmag.com}}[http://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/who-is-vic-mensa Vic Mensa: Who is the New Chicago Rapper?]. Complex (2014-02-06). Retrieved on 2016-01-08. 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."[http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2013/10/vic-mensa-innanetape-mixtape-review/ Xxlmag.com]. Xxlmag.com. Retrieved on 2016-01-08. In his music and in public discourse, Mensa has been vocal about gun violence and other social issues, including mental health.{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2021/10/19/5-hip-hop-artists-that-broke-the-mental-health-stigma/ |title=5 Hip-Hop Artists That Broke The Mental Health Stigma |last=Grant |first=Shawn |date=2021-10-19 |publisher=The Source }}
Discography
{{Main|Vic Mensa discography}}
Studio albums
- The Autobiography (2017)
- Victor (2023)
Collaborative albums
- 93Punx {{small|(with 93Punx)}} (2019)
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| Year
! Awards ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result |
|---|
| 2015
| mtvU Woodie Awards{{cite web|title=mtvU Announces '2015 mtvU Woodie Awards' Nominees|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/18/mtvu-announces-2015-mtvu-woodie-awards-nominees/364577/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221022812/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/18/mtvu-announces-2015-mtvu-woodie-awards-nominees/364577/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2015|publisher=Zap2it|access-date=April 24, 2015}} | Best Video Woodie | "Down on My Luck" | {{nom}} |
| 2016
| "All Day" (as a songwriter) | {{nom}} |
| 2018
| NAACP Image Awards{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/naacp-image-awards-netflix-own-annapurna-universal-pictures-open-road-films-anthony-anderson-1202212017/| title=NAACP Image Awards Nominees | work=Deadline | date=November 20, 2017 | access-date=October 27, 2018}} | Outstanding New Artist | Himself | {{nom}} |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|vicmensa.com}}
{{Vic Mensa}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mensa, Vic}}
Category:American hip-hop record producers
Category:American male rappers
Category:American people of Ghanaian descent
Category:Midwest hip-hop musicians
Category:Songwriters from Illinois
Category:American hip-hop singers
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:Record producers from Illinois