Vic Mensa performs private show for Summer of Collaboration

Summer of Collaboration presented by AT&T partnered with Vic Mensa for a private show at Chicago's AT&T Michigan Ave store with street photographer Vivian Maier’s.

Maier was street photography’s best kept secret. Maier worked as a nanny in the Chicago suburb North Shore in the late 1990’s. That's where while working she took what would become some of the best street photography.

Maier’s work almost never saw the light of day if it wasn’t for Chicago artist John Maloof. Maloof purchased Maier’s extensive work at an auction. He found an extensive amount of film, negatives, and prints of hundred rolls of film, home movies, and audio tape interviews that all belonged to Maier.

Maloof hosted a presentation going over Maier’s mysterious life and talking about her work and the impact surrounding it. Described as a Mary Poppin’s type, this introverted photographer opened her subjects up in the most beautiful way.

Chicago rapper Vic Mensa when up on stage admired Maloof’s courage and passion for being bold and fearless. Mensa was set to perform only three songs but added an additional for go measure. He performed: 16 Shots, Shades of Blue, There’s Alot Going On, and U Mad.

We recently caught Vic Mensa at The Vic Theater while on his "There’s Alot Going On" Tour. While at the Summer of Collaboration event we witnessed a side of Mensa that most music fans don’t. Pegged as a south side rapper and Kanye West pupil, Mensa is keeping busy with work outside the studio.

Vic Mensa has been politically active when it’s come to personal issues. Vic Mensa participated in the Laquan McDonald demonstrations. He also volunteered at Flint, Michigan during their water crisis. Vic urges young voters to register to vote by offering his latest EP “There’s ALot Going On” for free when they registered to vote.

Vic Mensa made sure his personal efforts were made clear as the Roc Nation rapper treated fans to a stadium caliber performance. With so few attending the private event, from seeing the incredible photographs from Maloof and seeing one of best in the city with Vic Mensa, the Summer of Collaboration was one of the purest ways to end the summer off right.

View our photo gallery of Vic Mensa’s Summer of Collaboration event below!

John Maloof at the Summer of Collaboration private event with AT&T. Photo Jesus J. Montero

Papi Beatz at the Summer of Collaboration private event with AT&T. Photo Jesus J. Montero

Summer of Collaboration presented by AT&T

Vic Mensa and John Maloof Summer of Collaboration presented by AT&T

by Jesus J. Montero

Vic Mensa’s intimate show at The Vic Theater

Vic Mensa has grown not only in age before our eyes but also in character. Mensa fans witnessed his coloring, playful attitude in Kids These Days to his more critical thinking side in There’s Alot Going On. Mensa definitely has a lot going on.

We caught Mensa at The Vic Theater as he makes his move through his There’s A lot going On tour. Mensa will soon join Justin Bieber on a Europe tour. The Southside rapper is rooted in Chicago which made his show a bit more personal.

We caught Mensa’s incredible performance at Lollapalooza were he used riot police guards to help him magnify the messages in "There’s Alot Going On". Mensa brought the same riot police at The Vic to enhance his bold statements. This was clear with his performance of 16 Shots. Dedicated to Laquan McDonald, 16 Shots depicted McDonald’s senseless killing from the hands of the Chicago Police Department. Mensa brought his to life showcasing an otherwise not talked about issue.

Mensa with an arsenal of support of talented rap peers to choose from, Mensa brought out rising star Joey Purp. Purp joined Mensa in their joint record 773. Another Chicago favorite Purp was met with roars of applause.

Mensa brought it back with his record Down On My Luck. Mensa from his successful debut mixtape Innanetape, has not looked back in classic records. On the tail end of the show Mensa performed UMad, his first major collaboration with Kanye West.

Mensa closed off the night with his record There’s Alot Going On his most personal record to date. With his forthcoming full length album his first since signing with Roc Nation were sure to expect the best from Mensa.