Vic Mensa has broadened his creative reach through a forthcoming program pairing Chance The Rapper with prominent voices tackling society and ideas. Launched on Monday (August 10th), the podcast, titled “The Vic Mensa Show,” will feature a 24-episode season, beginning August 26th. Chance The Rapper will join the premiere, providing an immediate hometown connection and further solidifying the show’s connection to Chicago’s cultural landscape.
The show will roll out every Wednesday afterward, with initial episodes scheduled to arrive in August. Mensa is assembling a diverse group of guests including Rapsody, Durand Bernarr, Lena Waithe, Aja Monet, and Van Lathan Jr., representing a wide range of musical, entertainment, literary, and activist perspectives.
Prior to this project, Vic Mensa has been consistently producing Hip-Hop beyond the recording booth, drawing inspiration from music, culture, and politics. He cites influences including Assata Shakur’s work with Common, Lupe Fiasco’s conflict diamonds, and Kanye West, as well as Lauryn Hill’s capitalism analysis.
This shift reflects a deliberate evolution of his artistic vision, stemming from a personal exploration of these influences. Mensa tells Billboard that “Music, culture and politics have always been intrinsically intertwined in my practice and in the larger tradition from which I emerge,” highlighting how these elements informed his writing and production. His work has appeared in The New York Times and Time, and fueled his Webby-winning “Orange Tree” video series.
“As I further unpeeled the ideas that hip-hop introduced me to, the conversation expanded beyond song, finding its way into my writings in outlets like The New York Times and Time, and ultimately into my Orange Tree series,” Mensa states. The project is being produced through a partnership with Mass Appeal and ORANJ, with executive involvement from Mensa, Big Fish Productions, and Blank Square Productions. The initial episodes are expected to be distributed across major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
The launch of “The Vic Mensa Show” also provides Mensa another outlet for the social and political interests he’s increasingly engaged with, particularly concerning grassroots programs, charitable work, and community initiatives in Chicago. Mensa, who has remained involved with these efforts since 1999, stated that the microphone remains on, indicating a continued commitment to addressing pressing social issues.
Musically, Mensa’s latest studio album, “Victor,” released in 2023, reflects his continued exploration of the intersection of music, history, economics, and politics. Chance The Rapper will be participating in a 24-episode run of the show, offering a unique opportunity for a long-standing collaborator to revisit the conversation.
Ted Talker, Host, Talking Head featured on MSNBC, BET, TVOne, VH1, Hot 97, Fox and More, is overseeing the production of the show. The project also aims to expand Mensa’s reach into the social and political spaces alongside his music career, and the microphone stays on, indicating a continued commitment to engaging with diverse perspectives.
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Source: AllHipHop
