RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesVic Mensa is entering the podcast space. The Chicago native launched The Vic Mensa Show on Monday (Aug. 10), while the first episode is set to premiere on Aug. 26 with fellow Chi-Town resident Chance The Rapper joining Mensa as a special guest.
The Vic Mensa Show will be released every subsequent Wednesday, with 24 episodes making up a loaded season one, which will feature appearances from R&B singer Durand Bernarr, Rapsody, Lena Waithe, Aja Monet, cultural critic Van Lathan Jr. and more figures across entertainment and activism.
“Music, culture and politics have always been intrinsically intertwined in my practice and in the larger tradition from which I emerge,” Mensa tells Billboard . “So much of my historical and political lens has derived its impetus from music; whether learning about Assata [Shakur] from Common, conflict diamonds from Lupe [Fiasco] and Kanye [West], or capitalism from Lauryn [Hill].”
He continues: “As I further unpeeled the ideas that hip-hop introduced me to, the conversation expanded beyond song, finding its way into my writings in outlets like The New York Times and Time , and ultimately into my Orange Tree series. From that evolution, The Vic Mensa Show was born — a space to deepen the dialogue by involving artists, thinkers, loved ones and brilliant minds across mediums in the many discussions I’ve been holding about the human condition.”
The podcast will be released in partnership with Mass Appeal and via Mensa’s new multidisciplinary production company, ORANJ. Episodes are set to be available through all major podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple and YouTube).
With TVMS , the “Down on My Luck” rapper expands on the vision and Webby-winning success of his Orange Tree video series, which saw Mensa dive into various topics with candor, including socio-political-economics and America’s complicated history with race.
“The Orange Tree illustrated for me the transcendent possibilities of conversation: a space for the discussion of radical ideas, humor, honesty and vulnerability,” Mensa said in a statement. “What began as a conversation with my community online is now expanding, through The Vic Mensa Show , to include great minds that I respect across many disciplines.”
The 33-year-old has remained heavily involved in community activism initiatives, grassroots endeavors and charitable efforts, pouring resources back into Chicago. On the music front, Vic Mensa’s last studio album arrived with Victor in 2023. He made an appearance on Chance The Rapper’s Star Line album in 2025.
Watch The Vic Mensa Show trailer below.
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