VIC MENSA

Vic Mensa is a rapper from Chicago, Illinois, who emerged from the city's vibrant hip hop scene alongside Chance the Rapper, with whom he co-founded the SAVEMONEY collective. He first gained attention as a member of the genre-blending group Kids These Days before going solo and releasing his Straight Up EP at just 16, later establishing himself as an independent artist with the acclaimed 2013 mixtape INNANETAPE, praised for his versatility across singing, rapping, and genre-melding production.

His 2014 single «Down On My Luck» pushed him into the international spotlight, blending dance and hip hop influences into a breakout hit. Mensa continued building his catalog with the 2016 project There's A Lot Going On, an outspoken, socially conscious work addressing police violence and his hometown's struggles, including the track «16 Shots» referencing the killing of Laquan McDonald. His music spans rap, R&B, pop, and rock influences, reflecting a restless, boundary-pushing approach to genre.

Throughout his career, Mensa has used his platform for activism around racial justice and Chicago community issues, alongside his musical output. Known for songs like «U Mad», «Tweakin», and «Holy Holy», he remains one of the more distinctive and politically engaged voices to come out of Chicago's modern hip hop scene.