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!
Grimes Signs to Roc Nation
Canadian electro-pop sensation Grimes announced today that she has signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation imprint. It's becoming the chic thing to do lately, as Grimes joins a roster that already boasts M.I.A., Santigold, and HAIM, alongside his stable of superstar producers and athletes which include Robinson Cano who signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners last week at Jay's behest.
Few artists have been as prepared for a second act as the man who brought us "Encore". Already wealthy and powerful beyond his wildest dreams growing up in the Marcy Projects of Brookyln, Jay-Z is establishing himself as much more than just a businessman, entertainer or talent scout-he's all of that and more. While his rapping has certainly gotten less poignant since his "retirement" with The Black Album. Beyonce proved earlier this month that they are easily the most powerful couple in music today, if Jay keeps signing up all the talent he may not relinquish that throne soon.
Russell Simmons Supports Barack Obama
Russell Simmons has always been a catalyst for change. Along with Rick Rubin, Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and the Beastie Boys, Simmons changed the face of popular culture forever. He later birthed the concept of Hip Hop as a business, and has changed the faces of Forbes Magazine as well in the process. But perhaps Simmons' greatest accomplishments come in the form of his philanthropic organizations and his power to motivate others so that they may be their own catalysts for change.
Last week, Russell Simmons announced publicly that he was supporting Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. Simmons cited Obama's own power for change and ability to mobilize voters of all ages and ethnicities as deciding factors for his endorsement.
Ruby Hornet caught up with Simmons last week to talk about the endorsement, Obama's role in uniting peoples of multiple races, and education reform. Check it out.
Ruby Hornet: In your support of Barack Obama, you mention his great ability to mobilize and motivate young people in particular. When we last spoke, you talked in-depth about the power of positive thinking, and visualizing your success. Given Barack's speeches and philosophy, this endorsement seems natural. Why did you decide that now was the right time, and what role did the laws mentioned in "Do You" play in your decision?
Russell Simmons: I've seen something very spiritual come out of the Obama campaign, a transformative component. People who were not inspired are now inspired. That inspiration is what we'll need to promote real change. It's impossible to make a lot of the major change we need without the people's support. When the people take to the streets for change, the politicians who represent them are forced to make change. If not, the people are left to count on the politicians and the lobbyists to represent their interests. One of the major themes in "Do You" is getting in touch with the spirit in you to see in your heart what's true for you. Feeling that component in Obama's campaign and getting to know him better did that for me.
Ruby Hornet: Senator Clinton's main criticism of Barack Obama has been that he makes great speeches, yet lacks experience and may not be able to follow-through. With your endorsement you are in effect saying that you believe he can follow-through, what exactly has given you that confidence?
Russell Simmons: One great example is his ability to run this tremendous campaign. Out of nowhere, he has emerged as a leader and the highest polling candidate for the office of president of the United States. That was an inspiration to me and spoke volumes about his ability to get things done.
Ruby Hornet: In the last election, many artists and entertainers worked very hard to mobilize young people and specifically the Hip Hop generation. In your eyes, what has been learned by the mobilization efforts of 2004 (i.e. Vote or Die), and how can we take what happened in '04 and improve upon it?
Russell Simmons: We already are. We can see voters registered in 04 coming out in primaries.
Ruby Hornet: You say in your endorsement that Barack Obama will continue to transcend race in America and have a very profound impact on those issues. What do you see as that impact?
Russell Simmons: Obama has positioned himself as an American candidate, not a black candidate. He is sensitive to the issues of the poor and underserved in this country and I believe he will make that one of his priorities as president. And, by seeing himself as a president for all Americans, I believe he will be a great equalizer in working to make life better for all Americans.
Ruby Hornet: Lastly, for a couple years I was a teacher as part of Teach For America, a non-profit organization aimed at closing the achievement gap. During my time at TFA I taught in an area of Chicago known as Englewood. The school I taught at has very low-funds, the neighborhood is high in poverty and crime, and the students are far behind grade-level. What do you see as necessary to improve all of our country's schools, and how could Barack Obama spearhead a movement for Education reform?
Russell Simmons: When you don't fund education, you leave children behind. So funding is of paramount importance. There were a couple of things Obama said that inspired me. Art education. When you promote art and creativity in a child, it sparks their imagination. Kids need inspiration to go to work. My Transcendental Meditation practice has been very valuable to me in learning how to achieve focus. That same program, if put into these underperforming schools, would help young people focus and improve grades. Repeating mantras teaches kids to focus. The schools that have implemented this program create quiet time in school where the kids practice their meditation. Children that are diagnosed with ADD may be helped through this kind of program. Instead of giving them pills, we could teach them meditation. And not just for those kids, but all kids. If you go to the schools around the country currently utilizing this program, you would see a dramatic difference in the children and the results they achieve.