Vic Mensa

Victor Kwesi Mensah, widely known as Vic Mensa, is an acclaimed American musician, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Chicago, Illinois. With roots in Ghana, Mensa has dedicated his career not only to music but also to bridging cultural divides between Africa and the African diaspora, with a particular focus on his ancestral connection to Ghana. His influence spans music, culture, philanthropy, and social advocacy. Mensa's passion for hip-hop began in fifth grade, and after his first band, Kids These Days, disbanded in 2013, he embarked on a solo career. His initial solo project, Straight Up, and subsequent mixtape, INNANETAPE, garnered widespread attention, with INNANETAPE amassing over 35,000 downloads within its first month. He continued to establish himself with his debut studio album, The Autobiography (2017), which debuted at #27 on the US Billboard 200 chart. His latest album,Victor, released in September 2023, solidifies his ongoing evolution and impact in the hip-hop scene. Mensa has collaborated with industry giants such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Wyclef Jean, and Skrillex. His contributions to music have earned him nominations for the mtvU Woodie Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song. Additionally, he expanded his creative pursuits into acting, with major roles on both The Chi and Bel Air. In 2022, Mensa made a notable entry into the art world with his curatorial debut, SKIN + MASKS: Decolonizing Art Beyond the Politics of Visibility, at Chicago's Kavi Gupta Gallery. Inspired by Frantz Fanon, this exhibition marked a new chapter in his creative journey, exploring themes of identity, decolonization, and representation. Through music, advocacy, and art, Vic Mensa continues to shape meaningful conversations around culture and community building.