Vic Mensa releases 'Free Love' ft Lil B, Malik Yusef, Halsey and Le1f
Chicago's own Vic Mensa released 'Free Love' over the weekend. In a post all across his social media platforms, Mensa explains his release.
Mensa on 'Free Love'
"What a moment in time. Love is under attack from all angles. I saw a photo on CNN of 49 birds flying over a vigil they were holding in Orlando for the 49 souls lost at Pulse nightclub. John Lennon once said he didn't fear death, he considered it to be like getting out of one car into another. In the midst of such horrid tragedy, I found beauty in that image. It's stuck with me ever since...Looking at the world around me, I realize now that as a creature of love, the battles of all people fighting to love are also mine. And I will stand with them. Will you?"
Mensa is addressing the attack on a gay Orlando nightclub, Pulse. Which resulted in killing 49 people and injuring dozens more. For the full text visit here.
Mensa recuits Chicago's Malik Yusef, Le1f, Halsey, and Lil B. Respectfully these artists all show their support for the victims of the Orlando attack while supporting Mensa's message of free love for all.
Listen to the song below.
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Interview: Borgore gives insight on his musical beginnings
Israeli Asaf Borger is better known to his millions of devoted fans as the dubstep producer and DJ Borgore. Transcending from his first found success Borgore has branched out to other forms of electronic music like drum and bass and house music.
He has also seen recent success in his hip-hop endeavors. His newest video single 100s showcases Borgore’s rap skills. Borgore has been associated in the past with collaborations with heavy hitters like G-Eazy, Miley Cyrus, and Diplo.
Electronic music and all things considered EDM have been looked at under a microscope in recent years for its fanatic and massive sellout crowds. The stereotypical never ending party antics, overly suggested drug usage, and the sexually aggressive atmosphere still haunts the growing music community.
Borgore is no stranger to controversy. The producer/DJ has been criticized for his suggestive and misogynist lyrics and his on stage antics. His persona is one of the loudest in your face in electronic music today. His unapologetic actions and records are a continuing sign of holding nothing back when it comes to his world of DJing.
A music prodigy growing up, Borgore had a not so average up bringing. After graduating at the age of 18 years-old he spent three years in the Israel’s national army. Borgore also has his own label Buygore.
We sat down with EDM’s bad boy at the fifth annual Spring Awakening Music Festival.
CM: You recently released the video for “100s." Not only do you showcase your rap skills but you also say “You don’t have to love, but I’m here making millions." What do you mean by that?
B: I’m a strange person in the EDM world. I don’t one hundred percent fit in, in a classical EDM way. That gets a lot of people mad. When people aren’t used to something they either love it or hate it. That’s a fact, you don’t have to love me but regardless I’m still doing pretty good.
From the Israeli army to producing music. How has that journey been coming from a place of uncertainty?
When I was in the army I was one hundred percent sure what I was going to do. I was in the army, my girlfriend broke up with me, I was miserable and was stuck with five hundred dudes getting shot at everyday.
That’s when I said to myself you know what I don’t want to be in this position. I want to be successful. I’m going to be successful.
I started trading stocks and did really well actually but that didn’t fulfill my life emotionally, so I want back to music. Music is something I’ve done my whole life. But you know what, if I wasn’t good at music I would do something else. I’d be a great lawyer or doctor. Fuck it, it’s all a matter of perspective. If you want to be great at something, then be great at it. Just work hard for it.
Your music has been attacked for what many suggest to be overly sexualized and misogynistic. How do you now reflect dealing with that and how many interrupted your music?
I don’t disrespect anyone. I don’t care what’s your gender or where you’re from as long as you’re a good person I respect you. If you come to my show and you want to show your tits if you’re a dude, chick, or trans (sexual) do it, I don’t care.
I’ll give you that option. You have the freedom to do whatever the fuck you want. How am I misogynist? You want me to tell them to stay at home and wear hijabs and stay in the kitchen all day?
When being criticized, the misunderstood culture of electronic music in being overly sexualized towards women is attached to your debate. How is it not only representing you but a specific culture of electronic music?
It feels natural. I’m going to do that for my whole life. For me art is theory. There’s so many questions I cannot answer. I don’t know what happens after death.
The world is fucking vague. The one thing I do know is the music makes me happy. This is what I’m going to do even if I’m not successful in making music, I’m still going to be making music.
Being involved and having a hand in every step the process with your music, from your label, production, to now rapping on "100s." Why is that important to you?
That’s the way it should be. If you’re a so called DJ, you better fucking know how to play some instruments. You better know how to produce. The whole idea of people becoming famous from other producer’s work is bullshit.
We are musicians - this is our job. First and foremost, we are all musicians you better know the notes in a C major scale, that’s basic! You got to know the basics.
Just bouncing back to "100s," how was it making the video for this light-hearted track?
It was amazing to shoot. We had a great time; I love the song. For years I was working with directors, some were great some weren’t. I was so happy to work with someone that I had so much fun with. All my friends were there together just fucking around. While on set I literally destroyed a golf cart for the music video. (laughs)
Borgore's "100s"
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Spring Awakening Music Festival same thrills, new location
The fifth anniversary of the mega popular Midwest electric music festival Spring Awakening has found its signature groove despite a slew of location setbacks. This year, the festival definitely did not disappoint for its anniversary celebration.
Past Spring Awakening attendees were accustomed to the stadium-size electric mecca at Chicago’s Soldier Field. With the move to the Addams/Medill Park on Chicago’s near west side community, Spring Awakening transformed the grass-laden fields into the best place in Chicago for electronic music.
With over one hundred acts performing this year, attendees were treated to some of the best artists in electronic dance music.
Day 1
Closing off the first night were some of the biggest recognizable names in electronic music, respectively. Steve Aoki brought his crazy antics and energy filled set to the Windy City, along side with his signature cake throwing. Electronic music bad boy Deadmau5 stole the show though, with his progressive house music anthems and crowd pleasing set. We last saw Deadmau5 in his long awaited return back to Chicago at Reaction NYE.
There were many signature moments from other artists, including Dillon Francis, Borgore, Flux Pavilion, and Jamie XX. Francis later crashed the middle of Deadmau5’s set to add to the already existing friendly melodic environment.
At Spring Awakening, the catchy beats and emotionally charged songs were met with individual fans who, collectively, grooved together. In a closed off space, Spring Awakening was still able to feel more tight knit. The distance between the stages was closer than previous years. This helped festival goers witness all that the Spring Awakening had to offer when it came to visiting each stage, and festival attraction like the Ferris wheel or the large water slide.
Day 2
Heavy hitters like Chicago’s own Kaskade, and a stable of electronic artists from Carnage, Nicky Romero, A-Track, and ShowTek all took over the second night of Spring Awakening. We also saw numerous memorable moments from the smaller branded stages throughout the three-day festival.
A-Track showcased his champion style of DJing and scratches that seemed nearly impossible. Due to an overheated laptop A-Track’s set was stopped abruptly as he to rallied up the crowd with friendly Chicago banter like not putting ketchup on hot dogs. He later thanked the crowd for not leaving while getting things started again.
With no other notable tech slip ups during the three-day festival, Spring Awakening held its own against the heat. The temperature played a factor during Spring Awakening weekend. With teasing reports of rain, Spring Awakening was prepared for the heavy heat by providing free water filled stations, CTA buses that were used for festival goers to cool off, and three tented stages that provided some much needed shade.
Acts like Above & Beyond, Chainsmokers, and Crystal Castles ended the final night on a high note. The well balanced lineup gave an opportunity for many to enjoy the different types of electronic music.
Day 3
The final day saw a well-balanced mixture of artist from trap to even traditional house music. House legend Green Velvet had a special set that many festival fans will rave about for years to come. Velvet's set was filled with throwbacks and classical house jams.
A touching display to note were the moments of silence that both the Chainsmokers and Above and Beyond held for the Orlando victims from the mass shooting that occurred just night before. This was a somber moment that, even during a three-day music festival, reminded its festival goers the human side of the issue.
Ending on a high note, Spring Awakening, despite its rocky first announcements and venue location change, was able to pull off another memorable experience for Chicago’s electronic music scene.
Vic Mensa drops latest EP "There's Alot Going On"
Chicago’s Vic Mensa first project since signing with Roc Nation has been released. Mensa’s There’s A Lot Going On is a seven track EP with features Ty Dolla $ign, Papi Beatz, Knox Fortune, Smoko Ono, and Malik Yusef. There’s A Lot Going On is Mensa’s latest work in three years.
16 Shots the first single off Mensa’s There’s A Lot Going On is based on the Laquan McDonald shooting that happened this past November. Which created a national debate when then Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke shot and killed McDonald by shooting him sixteen times.
We recently saw Mensa as he had a surprise appearance during the first night of Beyoncé’s two sold out shows in Chicago’s Solider Field.
You can catch Mensa along side many Chicago favorites like Saba and Towkio as they take over Lollapalooza for it’s 25th anniversary this summer.
You can stream and buy Vic Mensa’s There’s A Lot Going On now.
Lollapalooza announces over 55 afterparties for 25th anniversary
There’s going to be plenty of incredible music to check out during Lollapalooza. If you missed your chance to snag up passes now’s your chance to get in on the action with these stacked afterparties.
For six nights, the schedule is on out to catch some of your favorite artist throughout Chicago. Announced artists like: Major Lazer, Vice Staples, Two Door Cinema Club, Mac Miller, and Halsey all headline their own afterparty.
Afterparties are a great way to see your favorite artist in an intimate setting. With other heavy hitters like Janes Addication and X Ambassadors set to host their own afterparties we known tickets will go fast.
With over 110 musical acts Lollapalooza afterparty tickets go on sale Friday, June 3 at 10 a.m. CT.
For the view list of afterparities visit Lollapalooza’s site here.
Fans brave rain as Chicago gets in formation for Beyoncé
Beyonce's "The Formation World Tour” sold out two shows in Chicago at Soldier Field. On the first night despite the heavy rain fall fans left Solider Field seeing Beyoncé at her best.
Back on tour for the first time since her ambitious “Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” in 2013. Beyoncé’s "The Formation World Tour” was announced following her appearance during Super Bowl 50. Receiving high acclaim for her latest album Lemonade, Beyoncé was praised for her boldest and craftiest work to date.
Beyoncé brought out Chicago’s and Roc Nation artist Vic Mensa for a surprise performance. Performing “U Mad” and “16 shots”, Mensa felt right at home. Mensa was well received for his notability and his authentic rap personal. Just performing two songs, fans missed out on some of Mensa’s best.
Opening for Beyoncé was Atlanta rap duo Rae Sremmurd with their energy filled favorites “No Flex Zone” and “Throw Some Mo”. These two easily are continuing to break the ‘one hit wonder’ chatter that has been following them since the beginning of their short career.
A 70-foot-tall rotating video screens were die center in the middle. Visually the stage was stunning, the video screens and THX sound system embodied everyone in the stadium. Video from Beyoncé’s Lemonade teased fans as it spun three times bringing out Beyoncé and her dancers.
Performing majority of her set from her hit Lemonade album. Beyoncé brought us back in time with songs “Baby Boy”, “Crazy in Love’, and Destiny Child’s “Survivor”. She also performed covers of Nicki Minaj’s “Feeling Myself”. For the full set list view below.
The track history of hit records from Beyoncé was visited with songs that fans grew up on. A nice touch to that history was a video that showed a just turning 16 year-old Beyoncé explaining what she would do to someone who disrespects her.
Near the end of her performance Beyoncé paid tribute to the fallen legend Prince. Using the video screens, nothing but the color purple was on while Prince’s "Purple Rain" played. A tribute that felt even more touching as light rain was coming down at that time.
Literally singing in the rain, Beyoncé didn’t disappoint while setting the bar high for future shows. The term “rain or shine” will now be looked at differently as if Beyoncé could give this stellar showcase of her incredible talent so should everyone else.
It’s important to note Beyoncé’s status while on her "The Formation World Tour”. Hearing her last night was a pure pleasure for many reasons. The obvious one is the huge block party feeling that came with a community of fans dancing together singing word for word every song while in the rain. The underlining reason is the heavy meaning she brings in songs like ‘Formation’.
Beyoncé’s voice was one of the many highlights of the night. A typical backtrack was missing making Beyoncé the only things fans heard that night. This created a unique experience for music lovers especially when it came time for her acapella song “Love on Top” and her blues renditions of “Daddy Lessons”.
Fans who attended the sold out stadium show left feeling a sense of familiarity with the mega star. With that connection Beyoncé fans left the first night of her tour in Chicago with the feeling of knowing her on a personal intimate level through her stellar performance.
Beyoncé’s setlist Friday:
- Intro (with samples of 'No Angel' and 'Formation')
- Formation
- Sorry
- Kitty Kat
- Bow Down
- Run the World (Girls)
- Superpower
- Mine
- Baby Boy
- Hold Up
- Countdown
- Me, Myself and I
- Runnin' (Lose It All) (Naughty Boy cover)
- All Night
- 6 Inch / I Care / Ghost
- Don't Hurt Yourself
- Ring the Alarm
- Diva
- Flawless (remix)
- Feeling Myself (Nicki Minaj cover)
- Yoncé
- Drunk in Love
- Rocket
- Hip Hop Star / Freakum Dress
- Daddy Lessons
- 1+1
- Love on Top (Acapella)
- The Beautiful Ones (Prince cover)
- Purple Rain (Prince song)
- Crazy in Love
- Naughty Girl
- Party
- Blow
- Die with You / Blue
- Freedom
- Survivor (Destiny’s Child song)
- End of Time
- Halo
‘Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising’: Comedy sequel that works
Some years have past since the Radner family first battled with exploding couch air bags with the fraternity that moved in next door. Now Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) with baby number two coming have decided to sell the house and move out to the quite suburbs.
While this is going on we see three eager freshmen ladies lead by Shelby (Chloë Grace Moretz) challenge the status quo of the typical sorority life. Not having the sexist filled lifestyle that comes with joining a sorority the ladies decide to create their own. With new rules in place that are meant to empower the newly found sorority they look for a home to house all these party hunger weed smoking college students. Moving in next door to the Radner’s, their over the top partying could hurt the selling of their home.
On a thirty-day furlough to sell the house they seek help from an old enemy now turned friend Teddy (Zac Efron) to get the sorority out of the house. Old and new antics explode between everyone as the sorority will stop at nothing to have their right to party while the tag team group of the Radner family and Teddy give it their all to stop this new college party force.
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Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising continues the laughs we saw in the first film while adding a very funny spin on gender roles. Throughout the film serious dark tones are masterfully handled in a way to deliver sharp hard laughs.
Neighbors 2: Sorrity Rising
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Rating: R
Release Date: May 20, 2016
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising provides a satisfying comedy sequel a rare occurrence that many film franchises get wrong. Teasing fans with a potential third film with a zombie twist, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is a knockout.
Rogen of course is the comedy lead whose sharp voguer jokes and “dad bod” is the perfect contrast to Efron’s attractive wholesome appel to younger audiences. The two work well off of each other bringing in new laughs from it’s predecessor.
Efron in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is an unmotivated fraternity member who peaked in college. With all of his fraternity brothers living their well established lives Efron is in a rut. Efron’s rise from rut brings plenty of laughs in his revolutionary journey to find something he’s good at. The crazy antics we see him and Rogen devise against the sorority holds nothing back.
Virtually doing the same gags from the first film, but now against a sorority, the new elements added to the back and fourth attacks make for an over the top hilarious brawl.
The new element to Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is of course the very funny female additions to the cast. Often used a punchline, the feminist ideas in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising challenge social norms in the college Greek life community. With Moretz taking the lead in this rebellious cast of lady misfits they provide Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising the lift this comedy needed to become a comedy classic.
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising was a surprisingly satisfying comedy sequel that outdid its self from it’s processor. It’s over the top antics at times provide grossly laughs as the sorority members stole the show. Packed with explicit one liners and bold hilarious scenes Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising will be hard to top.
Chance The Rapper releases new album 'Coloring Book'
Chance The Rapper just dropped his best work yet with his highly anticipated third album, Coloring Book.
Formally known as Chance 3, Chance's Coloring Book features heavyweights like Kayne West, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Future, T-Pain, and Justin Bieber. Chicago talent is also present with features from Saba and Towkio.
The fourteen track album is Chance's biggest and most anticipated work. Chance's Acid Rap, his album that catapulted him into the limelight of new age hip-hop, was just released three years ago. In those three year Chance has continued to break records as an independent artist.
Working on it almost in secret Chance has been featured in some of the best songs of the year. Fresh off his appearance debuting 'Blessings' on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Chance has been hard at work making the release of Coloring Book a big one.
https://twitter.com/chancetherapper/status/730960861028700160?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
With little to no information on his latest mixtape Chance has left the world waiting for his next album. Chance has had quite a number of local blessings. Chance dropped one of the best Chicago music videos ever shot. The music video for his song “Angels” ft. Saba is one of the best videos to take place in Chicago, definitely taking advantage of the cityscape and signature ‘L’ train system.
Chance has been a staple of Chicago excellence as he continues to break records as an independent artist.