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!
[Review] Lollapalooza celebrates 25 anniversary in a big way
The Chicago staple of music festival excellence brought forth yet another unforgettable weekend of music and stellar performances. Lollapalooza celebrating it’s 25th anniversary in the biggest way possible. Extending the festival to four days created a marathon of incredible musical moments.
Lollapalooza had many highlights that came from inside and outside the music festival. Chicago transformed from the city with broad shoulders into, during for the four-day festival, music mecca.
The first two days had rain showers that spanned over a few hours. The temporary muggy start didn’t effect the mega celebration of the 25th anniversary. In fact, the only set backs to the festival were the uncontrollable rain and that the festival is already over.
Over the years Lolla grew not only in size but it also grew in multiple genres. It first started as an alternative rock festival in 1991 as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction. Now with over 170 acts and an extended four-day festival, Lollapalooza provided many history making moments.
It was announced by Lollapalooza that next year’s music festival will also be a 4 day festival.
Thursday, July 28 (Day 1)
Lollapalooza fixed up this problem from past years. The clear winner to the first night was hip-hop. Hip-hop actually had a deeper impact throughout the festival but it made a bold statement the first night with performances from Chicago’s own Towkio, G-Eazy, and J. Cole. Danny Brown also gained many fans with his energetic performance. Towkio brought out Chicago’s Joey Purp and Vic Mensa in a complete Chicago music takeover. Towkio from sneaking into Lollapalooza before his musical break to now setting the stage definitely was a crowd pleasure.
Another Chicago artist made headlines closing off the Perry’s stage this time from the electronic music duo Flosstradamus. They didn’t disappoint bringing their signature non-stop thrill ride of electric beats. They also brought out surprise guest Chance The Rapper, Michelle Williams, and Dwyane Wade.
From “Wet Dreamz” to “Work Out”, J. Cole stole the show with non-stop performance of hit after hit. With no back track, fans matched Cole jumping and rapping along with the Dreamville rapper. It’s important to note that Cole was the only rapper to close off the Samsung stage throughout the weekend. The others were Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and LCD Soundsystem. The biggest stage at Lollapalooza was the perfect fit for J. Cole’s unforgettable set.
Five reasons why we're hyped for Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza, Chicago's biggest music festival, is just around the corner! Celebrating it's 25th anniversary there are dozens of reasons why to be hyped this years Lolla.
Lolla first announced an additional day to the usual three festival day festival making it four days of unforgettable unstop action. That additional day adds a rooster of incredible acts that will take from Chicago July 28 – 30.
Below is a list of just five reason why Lolla is controlling our life’s with anticipation.
Crowd favorites
Lollapalooza brings out the best artist to Chicago. Many artists return from last year’s music festival because of their continuing growth in popularity from last year. Returning artist like G-Eazy and Halsey are the faces of a young generation of music lovers.
Performers like J Cole and Red Hot Chili Peppers are highly anticipated because of deep fan base.
Chicago’s own heavyweights
Last year’s Lollapalooza was solid with a mixture of pop, rock, and electric music. Something that was lacking a bit was the hip-hop and rap performers. Chicago’s own homegrown talent Saba, Towkio, Joey Purp, and Vic Mensa has us covered this year.
Chicago is making a statement with both Joey Purp and Vic Mensa closing off a night at Lollapalooza, respectfully.
Mensa’s history with Lollapalooza is almost story book like. From Mensa's well documented near death experience with sneaking into the festival before his career took off to now closing one of the main stages on Saturday, July 30. Mensa will take the lead in bringing the young Chicago talent to the Lolla stages.
25th anniversary
It’s been twenty-five years since Jane Addiction singer Perry Farrell created Lollapalooza. Lollapalooza was created as a farewell tour for the band. Now Lollapalooza has expanded to international countries like Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Germany.
Making Lollapalooza an official Chicago music festival in 2005. The festival was hitting the road before then. It first started off as a two-day music festival only bringing in 70 acts. The festival has since exploded cementing it’s place as one of the best music festivals in the country.
Lollapalooza is going big this year making it a can’t miss attraction for years to come.
Extra day, Extra fun
When Lolla makeed Chicago it’s official home in 2005 was a two-day festival. Now eleven years later, Lollapalooza will be doubling up for the first time extending the usual three-day festival into four days.
Starting a day before the usual festivities begin the artists that have been announced are stacked! Artist that have us looking forward to Thursday, July 28 include: Kehlani, Towkio, Melanie Martinez, G-Eazy, The 1975, Lana Del Rey, and J. Cole.
Lollapalooza week is music paradise
Lollapalooza brings thousands of people to Chicago drawing them in with jam packed shows. This year if you didn’t buy a Lollapalooza pass you can still get into the action with non-affiliated shows. These show are taking advantage of Lollapalooza week. Check back to Ruby Hornet for our top after parties at attend during Lollapalooza week.
The biggest draws are after parties for Lolla artists but heavy hitters like Drake and Future will be in Chicago Lollapalooza week.
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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