Concert Review: Vic Mensa, The Chicago Rapper To See Live

Stefan Ponce, Vic Mensa‘s DJ, captures the audience’s attention the second he hits the stage. First, it’s his signature hairstyle, then it’s “Cocoa Butter Kisses.” Vic‘s verse on the track is one of the best of the entire tape, and still stands as perhaps his highest-profile moment: a perfect prelude to tonight’s grand entrance. Sporting a metallic jacket that matched the large disco ball in the middle of Terminal 5, Vic hops on stage. The audience, composed of hip-hop heads and ravers, immediately vibes along with the Savemoney artist’s incredible energy. Vic leads off with the warm and quick-footed “Lovely Day,” striking a pose with each of the opening chords’ distinct stabs, and follows that with “Orange Soda.” Before he gets to performing the more even tempo-ed second track, Vic runs to the front of the stage, arm in the air, and asks the crowd: “Any smokers in the house?” Everyone starts chanting with him: “Pack the bong, pack the bong, pack the bong, pack it.” Vic really shows off his singing voice here, too, and not just during the hook. He really impresses the crowd each time he punctuates his lines with a soulful little “Oo-ooh.”

Later in “Orange Soda,” Vic plays around with his delivery, slowing down to talk in between his lines as the beat cuts out from under him. “They made list about Chicago rappers and they skipped me” he talk-raps, briefly ranting before following up with the bar’s second half: “Maybe because I’m so much more.” Vic delivers the message loud and clear. Stefan and the MC were clearly well rehearsed–all of the DJ’s cuts were in perfect sync with Vic‘s elastic play on the initial rhythms.

To switch things up a bit, Vic performs two new tracks and turns the moment into something of a variety show. See for yourself:

Vic tells the crowd that the world is hearing “Feel That” for the first time tonight at Terminal 5. “I think I’m legend in the making, I feel that…She’s on the phone, she wants to fuck me and I feel that,” Vic spits. His delivery is a bit off; he’s almost drooling his words. “Feel That” does not have the complex bars that we are accustomed to hearing with Vic, but the knocking beat is able to carry the track. The audience is then graced with a second new song–this one’s far more frantic. Everyone gets hyped up. After bringing the pit of bodies in front of him to a ferocious, frenetic peak, Vic leaves the stage. The crowd wants more, but that’s all the time he has for the night.

Vic Mensa was somehow able to inject a 30minute opening gig with the theatrics and variety of a full headline show. He was an incredible live-performer. It was easy to feel years of training he received while touring with Kids These Days fueling his naturally captivating presence. Vic was a spectacle, and he still managed to connect with the audience on a personal level even jumping down into the mosh pit that concluded the show and rocking out with fans face to face, shoulder to sweaty shoulder. The Chicago rapper’s love for music and for putting on a good show was palpable: if you have money for one concert, you won’t be disappointed choosing Vic.

Peep his tour dates: here