Yesterday was an exciting day for Hip-Hop fans. I was ecstatic to see the catalog of music released by artists I adore, such as Killer Mike, Nas, Denzel Curry, etc. Among the list of stellar Hip-Hop music that came out today was the release of VIC MENSA’s Victor. I’ve been a fan of VIC since his 2017 album, The Autobiography, and I have anticipated this album’s release since I reviewed his single, “Blue Eyes”. When looking at the tracklist last night at midnight, my eyes were immediately thrilled by the tenth track, “$outhside Story”. What excited me most about this song was seeing that fellow Chicago native, Common, was the featured artist. Common is one of my favorite voices in Hip-Hop with his poetic diction and influence on Jazz-Hop. He has multiple classics under his belt and continues to entertain, whether acting in films or releasing music that unifies. Chicago is one of the loudest cities in the world regarding prominent voices in Hip-Hop. Kanye West, Common, Chance The Rapper, Saba, Mick Jenkins, VIC MENSA; the list is seemingly infinite. Chicago rappers tend to flock together both physically and stylistically. They influence each other, and wear their city on their chest in a way other cities have yet to match. Such a cultural dynamic results in an invisible bond that tethers these artists together and constantly pushes the music forward. “$outhside Story” is a wonderful display of Chicago’s talent. 

Off the bat, my favorite aspect of the song is the generational dynamic between Common and VIC MENSA. In this scenario, Common is the OG. He is the guy who paved the path for a young talent like VIC MENSA. In doing so, he ensured a legacy that someone like VIC could build off from, and further pave. That theme is embedded in the song by just including Common as a featured artist. His contributions to the track are spoken word poetry. Although I would’ve loved a verse from him, his poem in the intro is absolutely stellar. Full of clever and witty lines, Common describes his neighborhood with alliteration, wordplay, and local references. Speaking of referential content, much of the song consists of lines that are seemingly dedicated to very specific locations in the city of Chicago. In doing so, it provides a layer of authenticity, and paints a vivid image of the neighborhoods these artists are reminiscing on. In regards to remembrance, I love how this song paints a nuanced depiction of Chicago. They each discuss the complex nature of gang culture, as well as the entertainment culture that was not only special to those who were local to Chicago, but affected people on a global scale. References are made to the music of Louis Armstrong as well as the classic Barbershop movies. 

One of my favorite moments in “$outhside Story” is the transition between the first hook and the second verse. Common ends with the question, “Where you at?”, and VIC picks it up with, “Starin' out the window of the Green Line train, I dreamed I'd see my name / On the wall, I was enthralled by street fame / Dope fiends goin' through withdrawals, deep pains.” This transition provides a conversational aspect to the song that flows really well and truly puts the two artists (and all they represent) directly next to each other. Hearing Common and VIC both discuss their perspectives and experiences in Chicago, as well as hearing where they overlap and differ is interesting and, frankly, emotional. If Common represents the generation before VIC and VIC represents the contemporary generation of artists, it almost seems like the symbolic torch has been passed down, as it will continue to be. 

“$outhside Story” is pure Hip-Hop in its ambition and execution. The production is full of life with soulful vocal samples, rich piano chords, jazzy horns, groovy live bass, and boom-bap drums that give the song a classic cadence. Regarding lyrical content, “$outhside Story” is saturated with penmanship and technical proficiency. VIC’s verses are filled to the brim with vivid storytelling that is imbued with multi-syllable rhyme schemes. Even in Common’s spoken word, there are lyrical gems like, “A city of contraband and contradictions / The horns of Louis Armstrong wrestle with the devil's.” Every inch of the song was made with nothing but genuine love for both their Hip-Hop and Chicago origins. Fellow Chicago artist and poet, Malik Yusef, provides some more stellar spoken word poetry in the outro with clever rhymes and an immensely passionate delivery. 

“$outhside Story” is a standout track for me for a lot of reasons. The context of the artists who worked on this song, as well as the hometown that unites them, enhances the emotional weight of the song and its cultural significance. But even beyond that, every inch of the song is well-crafted with Bongo and johan lenox’s impeccable production, VIC MENSA’s proficient pengame, and the artful poetry from Common and Malik Yusef. So far, Victor is shaping up to be an incredibly strong artistic effort from VIC MENSA and I urge everyone reading this to give it a listen. Victor is a fitting title for this album because it is personal and authentic, hence using his first name. But it also works in that, this feels like a true victory for him. He is the ‘victor’ and because of that, I am proud of the journey that has preceded this body of work and I applaud his fight. Victor is available everywhere. 

Author: Jordan

Jordan Wisniewski is a passionate writer and Hip-Hop artist from North Carolina, US.