(AllHipHop News) Vic Mensa originally planned to release an album titled Traffic, but the Chicago rhymer has decided to scrap that name and most of the content recorded for the long-delayed project.
In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, Mensa discussed his forthcoming debut LP.
The SAVEMONEY crew member revealed the collection will consist of fresh material.
“I made an album and then I didn’t feel like it was the right representation. So I started making a new album,” explained Mensa. “That’s where the songs from There’s Alot Going On came out of. I would say it’s about 75% done.”
Mensa dropped There’s Alot Going On in June. The 7-track EP includes the Laquan McDonald inspired “16 Shots” and the introspective title track.
Vic’s next body of work will continue the theme of reflecting on real life moments. He stated, “The things I’m doing are very autobiographical. There’s a lot of narratives, a lot of stories.”
There’s Alot Going On only contained one feature by Ty Dolla $ign, and followers of Vic Mensa should expect a limited number of guests on his upcoming set as well.
“I don’t really do a lot of collaborations. I really just collaborate with my immediate team,” said the 23-year-old spitter. “The stories that I’m telling are real personal. It’s very unique to me, so it’s not often that the songs I’m writing for the album really lend themselves for somebody else’s voice.”
Mensa has been working with fellow Windy City representative Malik Yusef. The Grammy-winning songwriter also spoke with AllHipHop.com about his contributions to Vic’s studio LP.
“I worked on a song on the [There’s Alot Going On] EP, and we’re working on the album right now,” said Yusef.
The spoken word artist was sure to point out that this was not a “ghostwriting” situation. Yusef conveyed, “I don’t write for Vic. I write with Vic. Cause Vic can do it by himself.”
While the finishing touches are being put on Vic Mensa’s highly anticipated debut album, a video for “16 Shots” is on the way. Mensa is also currently crossing the nation on his “Back With A Vengeance” tour with Joey Purp.
Watch Vic Mensa’s video for “There’s Alot Going On” below.