CHANGING COURSE

US Rapper and singer Vic Mensa is making music true to his experiences, on a mission to bridge the gap between the people of Africa and America. He says the best love stories are about our relationship with ourselves

- Shannon Manuel

IT'S BEEN A BUSY YEAR AND A HALF FOR VIC MENSA, WHICH INCLUDED A NEW BUSINESS VENTURE, making his mark in the art world, releasing new music, and headlining a first-of-its-kind music and cultural festival on the African continent with fellow Chicago-based artist Chance the Rapper. And there's more to come.

Since he first came to fame a decade ago, Mensa's forged a path of notable success. For those needing a refresher, he established himself as a member of hip-hop collaborative SAVEMONEY, hiphop ensemble Kids These Days in 2009, and a solo rap artist before breaking through to mainstream audiences. He debuted as a solo artist in 2013 on Chance the Rapper's high-profile mixtape Acid Rap and released his first song 'Down on My Luck' in June 2014. His upbeat lyrical style drew on elements of '90s hip-hop's positive side and rock and pop music.

Roc Nation signed Mensa and released his debut album, The Autobiography, in 2017. Over the next several years, he released a slew of EPs, collaborations, and singles, including working with 93PUNX in 2019 and I Tape in 2021.

Aside from his rapping abilities and melodic melodies, Mensa is the creator of the Save Money Save Life organisation, which fights racism in the US and finances three health and arts projects in Chicago.

As an activist, he's spoken out on numerous important issues, including gun violence, mental health, LGBTQI advocacy in hip-hop and the persecution of Black people. It's safe to say that there's more than meets the eye when it comes to Mensa.

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE