Vic Mensa has surprised fans by releasing a brand new EP, There’s Alot Going On available for free through July 4th for those who pledge to vote via Respect My Vote, a US non-partisan voter registration campaign launched by Hip Hop Caucus.
Produced by Papi Beatz alongside co-productions by Mensa and Smoke Ono, the 7 track EP also features a guest spot Ty Dolla $ign.
Mensa premiered the song 16 Shots on Apple’s Beats 1 radio, the Chicago rapper and SaveMoney collective member speaking to hist Ebro Darden about the how he was inspired by the shooting of 17 year old Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer who fired on the teenage 16 times.
“I was inspired to make the song by my time down on the ground floor on the street, when we were revolting against that shit,” Mensa told Darden, adding “this record is like self-defense, you know?”
“Laquan McDonald represent Emmett Till, which represents every name down the line and since then a lot of things have changed,” Mensa said, adding that what has yet to change and what must change “is that our lives are not respected.”
Rapping about his protesting against the Chicago police failing to discipline the officer following McDonald’s murder, Mensa is at his most fiery and political to date.
“Ready for the war we got our boots strapped /100 deep on Stage Street / Where the troops at?” he rhymes, before the song culminates in a voiceover narration describing a video of the horrific event.
Check out the full EP via Spotify here with a full track list below.
Listen: Vic Mensa – There’s Alot Going On EP
There’s Alot Going On EP
1. “Dynasty (Intro)”
2. “16 Shots”
3. “Danger”
4. “New Bae”
5. “Liquor Locker” featuring Ty Dolla $ign
6. “Shades of Blue”
7. “There’s Alot Going On”
