Schoolboy Q and Vic Mensa

[Video] Scoolboy Q, Vic Mensa & Vado on 'RapFix Live'

Wednesday might as well have been "Come Up Day" over at the MTV RapFix studios in New York City. I say that because Sway, wearing a SaveMoney sweatshirt nonetheless, found himself flanked by two of the most aggressively progressive artists in hip-hop today in Vic Mensa and Schoolboy Q who were also joined by Cam'ron protege, Vado. The four men chopped it up between the couches with Sway, touching on what's come, what's gone and what's on the horizon. Schoolboy Q, whose album, Oxymoron is about ready to explode from anticipation leading up to the February 25 release date, showed up looking like he stole a page out of Pharrell's style book with a full brimmed hat capping off an ensemble that included a full-length grey trench coat and pink 'TDE' sweatshirt. Anything goes I guess when you're the 'Hood Pope'. Vic joined Schoolboy on the couch, rocking a matching sweatshirt to Sway's and giving the pink 'TDE' piece a run for its...money? Anyway, check out the full episode, streaming below courtesy of MTV.

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Peter CottonTale’s Valentine’s Day Love Jams

[Songs of the Day] Peter CottonTale's Valentine's Day Love Jams

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Valentine's Day is nothing without the music. Sultry sounds and smooth beats can go a long way towards setting the perfect mood on your February the 14th, and few know this better than the one and only Peter CottonTale. When deciding on who to turn to for a romantic mix of music to get listeners in the mood for tonight, CottonTale, who evokes thoughts of old school jazz and soul music with his own production, seemed like a logical choice. With an eclectic taste, the Acid Rap crafter put together a group of songs that can give even the stiffest of dudes some swagger in their step. The playlist is available on Spotify, so feel free to take CottonTale with you as you venture out into the night. Without further ado, I give you "Peter CottonTale's Valentine's Day Love Jams".


Danny Brown & Vic Mensa Announce European Tour

Danny Brown & Vic Mensa are two artists that don't ever seem to rest. The pair of talented hip-hop acts, who yesterday announced a set of European tour dates throughout 2014. The tour, which begins on February 21 in London, will come on the heels of Mensa's run with dance music duo Disclosure, who put him on the act's North American tour, which began Monday in Toronto and runs through February 1 in Dallas, TX.

Mensa announced the tour via his Twitter account yesterday, and the release has spurred buzzing rumors that the two talented Midwest MCs will join forces for a North American tour later this year as well. It's a good fit for both artists and especially Danny Brown, who will find himself on the road with a like-minded lyricist and a similar fan-base after having several fall-outs while performing with EDM acts Pretty Lights and GRiZ recently. The European tour dates are listed here below.

Danny Brown x Vic Mensa 2014 European Tour Dates:
Fri 21 Feb London, KOKO
Sat 22 Feb Brighton, Coalition
Sun 23 Feb Manchester, Gorilla
Tue 25 Feb Dublin, Academy
Wed 26 Feb Glasgow, The Arches
Fri 28 Feb Brussels, Orangerie
Sat 01 Mar Paris, Bataclan
Sun 02 Mar Amsterdam, Melkweg
Tue 04 Mar Berlin, Postbanhof
Wed 05 Mar Cologne, Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld
Thu 06 Mar Copenhagen, Pumpehuset
Fri 07 Mar Stockholm, Nalen
Sat 08 Mar Oslo, Rockerfeller


Best Music Projects of 2013

Photo by Bryan Lamb

With new projects from established musicians like Daft Punk, Kanye West, and Neko Case to up and comers like Chance the Rapper, Lorde, Disclosure, 2013 was a huge year for music. Through a very scientific method, the Ruby Hornet staff has gone through the eclectic mix of 2013's various project releases from hip hop, R&B, indie rock, soul, techno, EDM, and more to deliver our definitive list of 2013 music projects. Check out our list below!


Vic Mensa Live at Reggie's in Chicago, IL 12/7/14 by Nolis

[RH Photos] Vic Mensa: "Live on the Innanet" in Chicago (12/7/14)

Photography by Nolis

This past Saturday, Vic Mensa took over Reggie;s Rock House for his first solo headlining show since breaking up with Kids These Days earlier this year and dropping his solo project, Innanetape, in late September. The buzz Mensa has garnered since releasing the project was palpable, with tickets selling out a week in advance for the tightly-packed affair. Fellow Chicago acts Jean Deaux and The Hood Internet opened things up, appropriately getting the crowd going with a mix of genres that mirrored the kind of frenetically changing and eclectic backdrops Mensa utilizes throughout Innanetape.

Performing with a full band, Mensa seemed right in his element on Reggie's stage. Seeing him onstage with a piano to his right and a drummer to his right, it was hard not to think back to the days of KTD, still fresh in many fans minds as listeners shouted "Vic These Days" over the crowd. Aided by inspired back up vocals from Chicago soulstresses Lili K and Eryn Allen Kane, Mensa overcame some early technical difficulties,  commanding the stage professionally, working all sides and hitting almost every note of his fiery delivery, a nod to the endless rehearsal hours and past performances the artist has under his belt.

On "Time Is Money" Mensa flexed, bringing out Maybach Music Group signee Rockie Fresh to do his verse, accented well by an extended bridge played by producer Cam Osteen on the keys and Omar Jahwar on drums. it was fitting call to an artist that helped pave the way for Vic and the rest of Chicago hip-hop, as well as a solid anchor for his other special guest, Save Money artist Joey Purp who spit a chillingly inspired verse from "Fear & Doubt" that invigorated the crowd instantly.

Taking things down for "That Nigga," Vic was most self-assuredly himself, fully throwing himself into every word and rhyme as he recited the words to the song that essentially documented the past few years for an artist that has overcome plenty to arrive at his first solo headlining show in Chicago. Exiting stage left after the track, Mensa came back for an encore of crowd favorite "Orange Soda" and KTD throwback "Don't Harsh My Mellow" that left the young crowd in a frenzy.

While Mensa's show certainly is still rough around the edges, it is head and shoulders above what is seen from most acts, hip-hop or otherwise, with an energy that seems to never end. Most issues were due to sound problems at the venue, and Mensa paid little attention, rhyming through it all while proving to his hometown why seemingly everyone in the country has had him on their lips lately. Along with fellow Save Money artist Chance The Rapper, Mensa is quickly cementing his place at the top of Chicago hip-hop, and Saturday was yet another example of that.


[Video] Vic Mensa: "YNSP" (feat. Eliza Doolittle)

Vic Mensa keeps it coming with his latest video released today for the ever catchy "YNSP" off his recently-released Innanetape project that has had listeners across the country talking about these kids from Chicago. The most recent offering, shot by Nem Prez, has the Save Money General and company firmly entrenched in a Matrix-like 'innanet,' as they do their thing in a 2001: A Space Odyssey-esque backdrop, while Dally Auston keeps his rep up with some absolutely crazy looking dancing, aided by some clever editing (keep an eye out). Yung Net Save Peso himself heads to Chicago for his homecoming on December 17 and RubyHornet is trying to send you and a friend, hit the link for more on that and enjoy the video below.

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[RH Contest] Win Vic Mensa Tickets in Chicago on 12/7

Vic Mensa is headed back to Chicago for a homecoming show at Reggie's, and Ruby Hornet wants to send you and a friend. We have a pair of tickets that we will give away to one winner.

To enter, simply take an Instagram picture, tag a Facebook photo, tweet a picture, or send a carrier pigeon of yourself embodying the #INNANETAPE lifestyle, and we will announce winners a week before the show. Entrants will have to be following us on whichever social network they enter. Make sure to include the hashtag #RHMensa so we can find your photos. Good luck!

Remember, you can buy tickets for the show directly from 1833 Presents.

Vic Mensa

 


Vic Mensa "Live on the Innanet" Tickets Go On Sale

Chicago's own Vic Mensa will be returning home to the Windy City for a headlining show with Jean Deaux & The Hood Internet on Saturday, December 7 at Reggie's. The first 50 people to buy tickets will also be eligible for a meet n' greet with Yung Net Save Peso himself, as well as a limited edition poster. Mensa has been on a tear since dropping Innanetape, his re-introduction as a solo act, to the world. Since then he has gone on tour with J. Cole, rocked shows with his homie Chance and traveled the country sitting in on radio shows and spitting freestyles. Don't miss an opportunity to catch his homecoming show on December 7 - get your tickets here. Or, enter Ruby Hornet's contest to win a pair for free!

Vic Mensa - Live on the Innanet w/ The Hood Internet & Jean Deaux
Saturday 12/7 All Ages Doors at 6:30pm

Vic Mensa