Vic Mensa drops ‘I TAPE’
The 7-track project acts as the follow-up to last year’s ‘V Tape.’
Last year, Vic Mensa made a big return with the seven-track V TAPE, which saw collaborations alongside the likes of BJ The Chicago Kid, SAINt JHN, and Snoh Aalegra. Today, he continues that formula with I TAPE, a new seven song offering with assists from Zacari, Jeremih, Wyclef Jean, Chance The Rapper, and more.
Aside from its lead single “SHELTER,” another particular standout from the new project is the socially and politically charged “FR33DOM,” which sees Mensa delivering a call to arms over production by Serlatheo Quinlan, Davaughn, Peter CottonTale, Zacari, and Nez:
“This ain’t non-violence, this is that prison break, this is San Quentin, state troopers and looters and sirens, I could die any day, I got affiliates, I am not new to this drama, deep-rooted in karma, no Buddha my foolies turn you to exotic/
We do not speak Urdu, we Zulu, Bambatta, we shoot at the pigs, Hakuna Matata, bust your head like you a piñata…/”
“FR33DOM” also sees an accompanying visual courtesy of Chris Simmons, which starts with a child listening to the music in a bedroom filled with posters of Mensa, Malcolm X, Michael Jordan, and other Black leaders. Viewers can then see shots of police cars on fire, Mensa in different professions, and a cameo from Zacari near the clip’s end.
It’s been four years since Mensa graced the world with his official debut album The Autobiography, which saw 15 tracks with additional features from Pusha T, Weezer, Syd, The-Dream, Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Pharrell Williams, Saul Williams, and Ty Dolla $ign. Since then, he has blessed his fans with the EP Hooligans, as well as the more experimental 93Punx project with his band of the same name.
Fans can press play on both Vic Mensa’s I TAPE, as well as the aforementioned video for “FR33DOM,” below. Also included — a recent freestyle over the instrumental for Clipse’s “Momma I’m So Sorry.”