Arts and Entertainment

Rising hip-hop artist Vic Mensa to perform in Sadove Basement

By Alex Bicks '16

Three weeks after bringing punk rockers Cloud Nothings to the Hill, the Independent Music Fund (IMF) (with WHCL) is sponsoring its second spring concert, Vic Mensa.

Mensa is a product of the booming Chicago hip-hop scene. He was formally a member of the 2009 indie band Kids These Days but has since focused on his solo career as a hip-hop artist. A young man himself (he will turn 21 this summer), Mensa is no stranger to the spotlight. Over the past year, Mensa has toured with J. Cole, Wale and Danny Brown.

In September 2013, he released INNANETAPE, his stand-out project to date. Mensa’s musical style sits at a crossroads between hard-hitting bars and soulful hooks over a plethora of beats. His songs range from the simple drum-and-synth driven “Orange Soda” to the elegantly hectic “RUN!” featuring Thundercat.

His lyrics speak of life in Chicago, his affiliation with SAVEMONEY (a hip-hop collective spearheaded by Mensa and Chance the Rapper) and the trials and tribulations of a 20-year old breaking into the music business. His vernacular is particularly mature and humble for an artist who is on the cusp of turning into  one of today’s hip-hop powerhouses.

Mensa is known for his highly energetic performances; This is why you don’t want to miss him. This concert will be a great place for Hamilton students to get out their party-energy before the onset of finals.

Mensa will perform this Saturday, May 3, at 10 p.m. (doors 9:30 p.m.) in Sadove Basement and is free for Hamilton students. William Skeng (DJ set) is scheduled to open.

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