Vic Mensa is one of those people who has done so many things that it’s hard to remember where you were first introduced to him. Was it his debut mixtape Innanetape, which finally hit the major streaming services for the first time in September? Or maybe his house-influenced single “Down On My Luck”? Maybe you didn’t even realize that Mensa was a rapper. Maybe you know him from his roles on The Chi or Bel-Air. Or perhaps you’re mostly aware of him through his activism, social media presence (peeling oranges and waxing poetic), or his podcast The Vic Mensa Show.
Point is, the man wears many hats. Part of the secret to being so prolific, it turns out, is Voice Memos. Just capture those ideas before they disappear.
What is your most indispensable tool?
Voice Memos. Everything starts there for me. Songs, essay ideas, orange tree thoughts, voice notes to myself at some wild hour, little things my son says that I do not want to lose. My phone is a million distractions in one rectangle, but Voice Memos is one of the few parts of it that still feels honest. Just press record before the thought disappears.
Which social media platform do you use the most?
Instagram, for better or worse. That’s definitely where my voice has really found its legs. I started out peeling an orange and talking through whatever was on my mind, and it turned into this whole conversation with people about politics, history, music, grief, jokes, fatherhood, all of it. That response helped show me there was room for The Vic Mensa Show too. Instagram can be a circus, obviously, but it’s also a very valuable tool for connection.
Which tech trend do you wish would go away?
Maybe Meta glasses. Them motherfuckers seem like they’re being used for evil.
What creation are you most proud of?
Probably my upcoming album right now. It’s the first album that I’ve really taken myself completely seriously as a producer. The surrounding art, videos, design, clothing, and world I’m building around it is something that really excites me as well.
What do you do when you need to focus?
I either do my Shambhavi Mahamudra meditation that I learned from Sadhguru or the Wim Hof breathing method. Ideally, I’ll do the Wim Hof breathing method in the steam room and then the meditation.
What do you think is worth splurging on?
Anything that touches your life every day. A good mattress. Good headphones. Quality food. Clothes you will actually keep for years. Experiences with your child. I have wasted money on plenty of dumb shit, so I am trying to be better about buying things that either last or make a real memory.
What would the tagline for your biopic be?
Live from the contradiction.
What is the last GIF or meme you used?
