Late in the evening of October 20, 2014, 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was fatally shot by police officer Jason Van Dyke in Chicago, Illinois. According to reports, McDonald was seen behaving unpredictably while walking and reportedly carrying a knife. In the events that ensued, Van Dyke shot McDonald 16 times, emptying... Read more

In the canon of Hip-Hop music that captures the zeitgeist of American culture in 2016, Vic Mensa's "16 Shots" is as real as any song. The There's Alot Going On single was inspired by the 2014 killing of Laquan McDonald in Vic's hometown of Chicago. The 17 year-old was shot... Read more

Since its earliest days, Hip-Hop has been used as a voice for the people. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five delivered "The Message." Chuck D called Rap the Black CNN. Common spoke for "The People." Never, in its 40-year history, however, have more artists used their platform to speak out... Read more

"I'm Vic Mensa. I'm 22 and affecting change in the hood is why I vote." That's the closing statement in a video produced by Vevo's Why I Vote Campaign featuring the celebrated MC. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois Vic Mensa is a young man whose outspoken lyrics and involvement in sociopolitical... Read more

Roc Nation signee Vic Mensa has just released a new EP titled There's A Lot Going On. In conjunction with the release, he also premiered the powerful record "16 Shots." The song is dedicated to Laquan McDonald, a 17-year old young man, from Mensa's hometown of Chicago, who was shot... Read more