Vic Mensa Captivates the Crowd at New York Show in Support of Hurricane Relief Efforts

Last night (Sept. 30), Vic Mensa captivated the crowd at Bowery Ballroom in New York City with an enthralling performance in support of hurricane relief efforts.

The rapper partnered with TIDAL for a set of coastal pop-up shows in support of the MusiCares Hurricane Relief efforts. Last week (Sept. 25), he kicked off the first pop-up show in Los Angeles, where concert-goers were encouraged to bring toiletries, school supplies, diapers and more to help those affected by recent natural disasters Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Fans in New York came through donating much of the same.

Taking the stage around 9:30 p.m., the Chicago native wasted no time getting into his set, warming up the audience with "Say I Didn't," the introductory cut from the rapper's debut album, The Autobiography, which was released this past July. Following a performance of his Kanye West-assisted single "U Mad" and The Autobiography song "Memories on 47th St.," Mensa, who has been one of the more outspoken artists in rap in a sociopolitical lens, led the crowd in a "Fuck the police" chant as the classic N.W.A track of the same name blared from the speakers. Then he delved into his politically-charged track "16 Shots" and also paid his respects to those murdered as a result of police brutality.

"Y'all wanna hear some SaveMoney shit?" Vic asked as "Cocoa Butter Kisses," his 2013 collaboration with Twista and fellow SAVEMONEY alumnus Chance The Rapper, was cued up by the DJ, a tune that coaxed longtime fans of the rapper into unbridled euphoria. As the energy in the building reached a crescendo, so did Mensa's, who crowd surfed while performing "Rollin' Like a Stoner," much to the delight of the audience.

If the first half of Vic Mensa's set captured him in the eye of the storm, the latter half served as the calm, with selections like "Heaven on Earth" (which he dedicated to his "big brother DARE") and "Wings." With everyone in the building fully engaged and on one accord, the rapper sent his regards to those in Puerto Rico, who were recently impacted by Hurricane Maria, prior to an emotional performance of his song "We Can Be Free."

Putting forth a message of unity and solidarity, the Roc Nation spitter placed the onus of paying it forward and having compassion for those less fortunate on all in attendance and those tuning in to the livestream from home, concluding his performance on an uplifting note.

After Vic's exit from the stage in what appeared to be the end of the performance, a random fan jumped on the stage, taking the mic to ask him to come out to give the fans a few more songs from his catalog. This was much to the chagrin of the venue's security, who began to intervene before Vic, who was in the midst of smoking a cigarette, took it upon himself to come back out and mingle with the fans.

Taking the party outside of the Bowery Ballroom, Vic continued to hold court with fans, accepting any and all requests for photos and video, yet another reminder that the Chicagoan is truly a man of the people.

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