| Victor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 15, 2023 | |||
| Length | 49:29 | |||
| Label | Roc Nation | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Vic Mensa chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Victor | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 7/10 [1] |
| The Guardian |   [2] |
Victor is the second studio album by American rapper Vic Mensa. It was released on September 15, 2023, through Roc Nation.
The album was produced mainly by the rapper himself, along with executive production by BongoByTheWay. [3] He shared an album trailer and announced the record on August 21. The clip shows Mensa sitting shirtless in the center of an art gallery while artists around him paint and closes out with a portrait of him that one of the artists painted. [4] A few days later, Mensa revealed more details on the project. He explained that the album stems from the "rubble of a bad crash, literally and metaphorically" and follows his "journey into spirituality" as well as a return to Chicago, Ghana and to himself. [5]
The lead single "Strawberry Louis Vuitton" was released on January 27 and features Thundercat and Maeta. An accompanying music video was inspired by the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh. [6] On August 25, he released a single called "Blue Eyes", an "emotional" track that see Mensa talking about "heartbreaking admissions" and "damage inflicted by racism". [7] The final single preceding the album "Lvln Up", a "raw" and "reflective" song, was released on September 11 and was inspired by trip from Accra to Keta "through the Ghanian countryside". [8]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sunday Morning Intro" (featuring Omari Hardwick) |
|
| 1:48 |
| 2. | "Victor" |
|
| 3:14 |
| 3. | "Rumors" |
| 0:50 | |
| 4. | "Lvln Up" |
| 2:08 | |
| 5. | "The Weeping Poets" (featuring Jay Electronica) |
| 2:46 | |
| 6. | "Swear" |
| 2:51 | |
| 7. | "Swish" (featuring G-Eazy and Chance the Rapper) |
|
| 3:45 |
| 8. | "Sunset on the Low End" |
| 4:08 | |
| 9. | "Strawberry Louis Vuitton" (featuring Thundercat and Maeta) |
|
| 2:38 |
| 10. | "Southside Story" (featuring Common) |
|
| 3:16 |
| 11. | "Law of Karma" |
| BongoByTheWay | 3:49 |
| 12. | "Blue Eyes" |
| BongoByTheWay | 2:55 |
| 13. | "Blue Eyes (Interlude)" (with Rapsody) | Marlanna Evans |
| 1:13 |
| 14. | "Sunday Evening Reprise" (featuring Dixson and Lekan) |
|
| 2:08 |
| 15. | "All I Kno" |
|
| 3:05 |
| 16. | "Blessings" (featuring Ant Clemons and D Smoke) |
| 3:23 | |
| 17. | "14 Days" (featuring Mr Hudson) |
|
| 2:30 |
| 18. | "Eastside Girl" (Bonus Track; featuring Ty Dolla Sign) |
|
| 3:02 |
| Total length: | 49:29 | |||
Notes
Musicians
Technical
Michael H. McDonald is an American singer, keyboardist and songwriter known for his distinctive, soulful voice and as a member of Steely Dan (1973–1974), and the Doobie Brothers. McDonald wrote and sang several hit singles with the Doobie Brothers, including "What a Fool Believes", "Minute by Minute", and "Takin' It to the Streets." McDonald has also performed as a prominent backing vocalist on numerous recordings by artists including Steely Dan, Toto, Christopher Cross, and Kenny Loggins.
Benjamin Hudson McIldowie, better known by his stage name Mr Hudson, is an English singer, songwriter, and record producer from Birmingham, England. He formed the band Mr Hudson and the Library in 2006, for which he served as lead vocalist, and signed with American rapper Kanye West's record label, GOOD Music through a joint venture with Mercury Records as a solo act two years later. He is best known for his guest performance on West's 2009 single "Paranoid", as well as his songwriting contributions to "Say You Will" and "Street Lights"; all three appeared on West's fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008).
Malik Yusef El Shabazz Jones is an American spoken word artist, poet, rapper, record producer, and director based in Chicago, Illinois.
Victor Kwesi Mensah, known professionally as Vic Mensa, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, he was a member of the regional hip hop groups Kids These Days and Savemoney prior to releasing his debut solo mixtape, Innanetape (2013). As a solo artist, Mensa has been signed to Virgin EMI Records, Def Jam Recordings, Capitol Records, and Roc Nation.
Innanetape is the debut mixtape by American rapper Vic Mensa. It was released on September 30, 2013, as a free digital download. The mixtape features guest appearances from Chance the Rapper, Ab-Soul, Rockie Fresh and BJ the Chicago Kid, as well as the production that was provided by Boi-1da, Hit-Boy, Cam for J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Tae Beast, DJ Dahi, Om'Mas Keith, Christian Rich and Mensa himself.
Jayson Andrew "Mick" Jenkins is an American rapper based in Chicago and signed to Cinematic Music Group. His mixtape, The Waters, was released in 2014, followed by the Waves EP in 2015.
"Wolves" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, featuring vocals from Sia and Vic Mensa, from his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016). It was produced by West, Cashmere Cat, and Sinjin Hawke and was originally planned to be the opening track to The Life of Pablo. West debuted the song on February 12, 2015, at a fashion show where he also premiered his new Adidas shoe. The presentation was broadcast live to more than 40 locations around the world.
Joseph Davis, better known by his stage name Joey Purp, is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. He is one half of Leather Corduroys. He is one of the founding members of Savemoney.
There's Alot Going On is the second mixtape by American rapper Vic Mensa. It was released on June 3, 2016, through Roc Nation for retail. It serves as a prelude for his debut album, The Autobiography.
The Divine Feminine is the fourth studio album by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released on September 16, 2016, by REMember Music and Warner Bros. Records. The album features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, CeeLo Green, Ty Dolla Sign, and Ariana Grande, among others.
"Feel" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The fifth track on the album, the song was written by Lamar and Mark Spears, a.k.a. Sounwave, and produced by Sounwave. The song features bass from bass guitarist Thundercat and vocals from Chelsea Blythe. The song originally had a music video which was never released and randomly leaked on YouTube.
Saturation is the debut studio album by American rap collective Brockhampton. Independently released on June 9, 2017, the album features appearances from group members Kevin Abstract, Ameer Vann, Merlyn Wood, Dom McLennon, Matt Champion, Joba, and Bearface. Production was primarily handled by group members Romil Hemnani, Jabari Manwa, and Kiko Merley, with additional contributions from Joba, Bearface, and No Rome. Manwa, along with Brockhampton webmaster Robert Ontenient, perform the albums vocal skits.
The Autobiography is the debut studio album by American rapper Vic Mensa. The album was released on July 28, 2017, by Roc Nation and Capitol Records. The album features guest appearances from Weezer, Syd, The-Dream, Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Pharrell Williams, Saul Williams, Ty Dolla Sign and Pusha T. The album was released for streaming, a week early from its release date via NPR.
The discography of American rapper and singer Vic Mensa consists of two studio albums, one collaboration album, one mixtape, five extended plays and 39 singles.
Ta13oo is the third studio album by American rapper Denzel Curry. It was released on July 27, 2018, through PH Recordings and distributed by Loma Vista Recordings. The album serves as the follow-up to Curry's second studio album, Imperial, released in 2016, and the 13 EP, released in 2017. Ta13oo features guest appearances from Twelve'len, GoldLink, Nyyjerya, JID, JPEGMafia, ZillaKami, and additional vocals by Billie Eilish. Production was handled by FnZ, DJ Dahi, Ronny J, Illmind, Charlie Heat, and Mickey de Grand IV, among others.
Swimming is the fifth studio album by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released on August 3, 2018 by REMember Music and Warner Bros. Records. Miller produced the album himself, with Jon Brion, Dev Hynes, J. Cole, ID Labs, Dâm-Funk, DJ Dahi, Tae Beast, Flying Lotus, and Cardo, among others. The album has no credited features, but contains vocal contributions from Dâm-Funk, Dev Hynes, Snoop Dogg, Syd, Thundercat, and JID. Miller died on September 7, 2018, making Swimming his final album to be released during his lifetime.
"U Mad" is a single by American rap artist Vic Mensa, featuring fellow Chicago-based rapper Kanye West. It was released on April 20, 2015 as a non-album single.
Melt My Eyez See Your Future is the fifth studio album by American rapper Denzel Curry, released through PH and Loma Vista Recordings on March 25, 2022. The album includes features from Robert Glasper, Buzzy Lee, Saul Williams, Bridget Perez, T-Pain, 6lack, Rico Nasty, JID, Jasiah, 454, and Slowthai, and production from Cardo, FnZ, Thundercat, JPEGMafia, and Kenny Beats, among others. It was preceded by the singles "Walkin", "Zatoichi", and "Troubles". The album received widespread acclaim from critics, with reviewers praising Curry's lyrical abilities and the album's production.
The Forever Story is the third studio album by American rapper JID. It was released on August 26, 2022, through Dreamville and Interscope Records. Recorded over a two-year period, the album features introspective lyricism showcasing JID's upbringing. The album incorporates R&B, alternative hip hop, and trap. The album features guest appearances from Kenny Mason, EarthGang, 21 Savage, Baby Tate, Lil Durk, Ari Lennox, Yasiin Bey, Lil Wayne, Johntá Austin, Ravyn Lenae, and Eryn Allen Kane. Production was handled by a variety of record producers, including Monte Booker, Childish Major, Christo, Cardiak, Kaytranada, DJ Scheme, Khrysis, and James Blake, among others. The album serves as the follow-up to JID's second studio album, DiCaprio 2 (2018) as well as Spilligion (2020), his collaboration album with Spillage Village and EarthGang.
A Tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto – To the Moon and Back is a tribute album to Japanese multi-genre composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, released November 30, 2022, by Milan Records, two days ahead of its original release date. The album features reworked versions of Sakamoto's songs, referred to as "remodels", by artists including Devonté Hynes, the Cinematic Orchestra, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Alva Noto, and David Sylvian.