Here’s Why Vic Mensa Doesn’t Want Homophobic, Racist, Or Sexist People To Support His Music

Chicago’s Vic Mensa has been a star in the making since his stint in Kids These Days and his widely acclaimed solo debut, INNANETAPE. However, it has been widely documented by even the rapper himself (“There’s a Lot Going On“) that he’s been through his share of ups and downs — mostly through actions of his own — for fairly long period before moving closer to his potential by putting out carthartic, visceral music throughout 2016.

Whether it was marching the streets of his hometown after the Laquan McDonald shooting and recording “16 Shots” in his memory, laying down a crazy “Five Fingers of Death” freestyle which ended with an impressed Sway tearing up the studio, or supporting the LGBTQ community with “Free Love” featuring Le1f, Halsey, Lil B, and Malik Yusef — not to mention his Roc Nation debut, There’s a Lot Going On — Vic Mensa has shown he’s ready to step up to the plate and join his SaveMoney frenemy Chance the Rapper in the spotlight.

In a recent interview with V MAN magazine, the Roc Nation signee expanded on his troubled last few years and the impetus behind his decision to become more vocal about socioeconomic and political issues.

After being “dependent on drugs for like three years” beginning with mushrooms before moving on to Adderall, coke, and molly, Mensa finally “reached a breaking point” in February, when he finally sought help. “I talk to my therapist and do medication to stop doing drugs and get better,” he said. “Now I feel like I’m a lot closer to being the person that I grew up to be before I started messing with my mind.”

With a clear head, Mensa realized making “dumb party sh*t” like “U Mad” and “No Chill” wasn’t what he wanted to do. From there, his music came from a deeply personal, emotional place, starting with the powerful Black Lives Matters anthem “16 Shots” and followed by “Shades of Blue,” which was inspired by a visit to Flint, Michigan.

Regarding “16 Shots,” the rapper takes full ownership of the controversial lyrics.

“I know that words have power. That song was very much rooted in reality. Am I gonna go shoot any cops? No. Have I ever felt like I wanted to shoot any cops? Fuck, yeah.”

As for “Free Love,” it was inspired by a family member who came out to Mensa as queer, along with his friend’s homophobic comments about Jaden Smith wearing a dress. After winning the ensuing argument, Mensa recorded the LGBTQ statement of solidarity shortly after the Orlando nightclub shooting and for all intents and purposes announced he didn’t want homophobes and racists to listen to his music.

“I don’t want their [homophobes, racists, and sexists] support. I don’t want them to be my listeners. Some people tell me, ‘Don’t limit your fan base,’ but if you’re listening to my music and you harbor racist feelings, then you’re not listening.”

With Mensa’s album “about 75 percent done,” the rapper’s looking to continue his momentum by leaving an important, “lasting impression” with the record. Now that he’s no longer weighed down by drugs, there’s nothing to stand in his way.

Head over to V MAN magazine to read the rest of the interview.

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