‘I’M ON THE REAL AUTHETIC SH*T!

24th October 2017

Yesterday was a totally strange but cool day. It started as usual with me running late and sorting things out last minute dot com. Being independent and working for yourself means there are times people let you down and you are stuck looking for people to step in last minute in your circle of friends and family to help.
I had a shoot planned with a guy who is super sweet, talented and just cool, his name is Vic Mensa. I have only hung out with him a few times but aside from rating his music he has awesome energy.

Ever looked into someones eyes and just understood the place they are in and trying to get out of? Vic is a complicated, interesting and from what I can see a deep thinker, or as my dad would say someone who procrastinates way more then they should.

You look at him from the outside and you see this young flamboyant, well dressed cute guy. Then you talk to him and find a totally different person. He is smart, inquisitive, self aware and also work in progress. Don’t get me wrong Vic is still like a lot of guys his age charming, funny, flirty and a bit of a joker, but there is something so much deeper and heartfelt that you get from him.

He has seen a lot of struggle and I think at the moment is trying to work out where he fits in the world more then just musically. Around him are a bunch of people mostly from what I can see either people he works with or trusts. I also met one of his best friends Aja Monet ( poet, activist, cool chick) she totally has his back and has great energy. Vic also is friendly as hell and attracts new people which can be a good thing and a bad thing, I would put me in that box of new people, hopefully not a bad thing though.

 When a person is going through any form of self discovery or development I feel like they are open to learning and listening a lot more. I can defiantly relate to that as I’m in that position at the moment, but it also leaves you vulnerable and at risk of being influenced by others peoples agendas and philosophies of life. You got to be careful when you are open to change.

Vic is quite the host before he rocked the stage at London Underground he chatted to a dressing room full of characters and listened to peoples opinions while getting ready to do his show. There was no hint of ‘Im the star, everyone be on me and I want attention’.

He is truly a rockstar on stage with no nerves that I could actually feel or see. I was literally on the side of the stage before he went on and even during stage dives, sound issues he killed it like a total pro. Vic musically sits in the same box as great lyricists like J Cole and Kendrick Lamar, with time and more music he will get his place alongside this generations greats.

Coming from a city like Chicago where it was tough and then living some time in L.A and travelling the world is exciting but also I’m sure very overwhelming. Vic reminds me a little of Kanye, in the sense he speaks what he wants in existence but battles with himself more then anyone else. I feel like he is his own biggest critic and is a total perfectionist. Those traits also normally make you sensitive and never really satisfied. It’s that ride between what is happiness and how success contributes to it.

Someone much older and wiser said to me this morning ‘Your work isn’t you, it’s what you put into it that makes it amazing’. The point was basically you are not defined by who you work for, how many people buy your album or follow you on social media, but instead for what you offer to the world.

In Vic’s case I see a real guy who has lived through insecurities, loss, confusion, depression, abuse, relationships, love and hate and still at the start of his journey. Here he is now standing offering his story, lessons and perspective through his music. I hope he realises what a dope person he is away from the stage, success and attention…

I would highly recommend you take a moment to listen to his latest project ‘The Autobiography’ it’s inspiring, honest and the production is so fucking good. He will also be joining the man that signed him to Roc-Nation the legend Jay Z on his 4:44 highly anticipated tour. 

Max xxx

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