Across music, acting, podcasting, and entrepreneurship, Vic Mensa operates across an unusually broad array of creative mediums. The Chicago-born artist, whose debut mixtape Innanetape arrived on major streaming platforms in September and who broke ground with his house-influenced track Down On My Luck, continues to navigate an expansive career that includes dramatic roles on television series such as The Chi and Bel-Air, social commentary, and hosting duties on The Vic Mensa Show. Amid the rapid evolution of consumer technology, Mensa attributes much of his creative output to one of the simplest built-in utilities available on modern smartphones: the Voice Memos application.
Capturing Spontaneous Ideas Amid Digital Distractions
For Mensa, the Voice Memos app serves as the foundational starting point for virtually all of his work. While modern mobile devices are frequently viewed as hubs of constant notification traffic and digital interruption, Mensa regards the audio recorder as a rare preserve of unfiltered honesty. In discussions detailing his daily relationship with technology, the artist emphasized that musical compositions, essay topics, late-night personal thoughts, and fleeting quotes from his young son are all captured directly via voice notes before the moments slip away.
Rather than relying on complex production software during the initial spark of an idea, the immediacy of pressing record provides a friction-free bridge between observation and artistic execution. This approach underscores a broader pattern among contemporary musicians who balance multi-hyphenate careers: using minimal, accessible tools to preserve concepts before high-end studio development begins.
Connecting on Instagram and Evolving into Media Hosting
Mensa has also channeled personal communication directly into audience engagement through social platforms. While acknowledging the chaotic nature of social media platforms, he identified Instagram as the primary forum where his public voice solidified. His presence on the platform developed informally through videos featuring him peeling oranges while openly discussing topics ranging from politics and history to grief, fatherhood, and comedic observations.
The resonance of those informal, unvarnished monologues directly signaled to Mensa that there was sustained interest in deeper conversations, which led to the creation and rollout of The Vic Mensa Show podcast. Mensa noted that despite the frequent circus-like environment of social platforms, the technology continues to serve as an indispensable bridge for community dialogue and organic connection.
Skepticism Toward Smart Eyewear and Hardware Trends
While Mensa utilizes digital tools to draft art and communicate, he remains openly critical of certain emerging hardware categories. When asked about modern tech developments that he would prefer to see phased out, Mensa pointed to smart eyewear, specifically calling out Meta glasses. He voiced concerns regarding the surveillance implications and broader motives driving the widespread adoption of wearable camera devices, suggesting that the hardware appears geared toward intrusive outcomes rather than creative benefit.
Studio Production, Daily Disciplines, and Value
Mensa’s upcoming creative priorities are heavily centered on his next full-length music project. The forthcoming record represents a personal milestone, marking the first effort where he has approached his role as an end-to-end music producer with full seriousness. The project extends beyond audio into a comprehensive visual universe, encompassing accompanying artwork, video direction, apparel, and world-building design.
To maintain clarity and stamina across these diverse endeavors, Mensa adheres to established physical and mental wellness routines. His daily regimen incorporates Shambhavi Mahamudra meditation, an Eastern practice he studied through Sadhguru, alongside the Wim Hof breathing technique. When conditions allow, Mensa executes the Wim Hof breathwork inside a steam room before transitioning into his meditation session.
Reflecting on material consumption and lifestyle choices, Mensa noted that his perspective has shifted toward longevity and durability. Rather than spending on transient items, he prioritizes products that directly intersect with daily living, such as a supportive mattress, high-grade audio headphones, nutritious food, and long-lasting apparel. Mensa explained that after past missteps in spending, he now channels resources toward items that endure over time and shared experiences that forge lasting memories with his son.
