Rapper and Curator Vic Mensa Hits the Studio With Thundercat and Hangs Out at His Kavi Gupta Group Show

Annie Armstrong, ArtNet News, September 1, 2022

 

 

The rapper had his curatorial debut, SKIN + MASKS, in Chicago this summer.

 

first learned that rapper Vic Mensa is in fact a budding curator this Spring, when I went to Chicago for EXPO. At the time, Mensa was gearing up for his curatorial debut at dealer Kavi Gupta’s gallery, with a group show titled “SKIN + MASKS”, which features work by Josie Love Roebuck and Darryl Westly, now on view through 3 September. I haven’t been able to make it back to the Windy City to see it myself, but sent a disposable over to the “Wraith” rapper to see what a week in his life there looks like.

 

 Vic Mensa.

 

Bad boy of the Southside.

 

Starting the week at Garifuna Flava Chicago on 63rd Street—best oxtails in the city.

 

Thundercat with a pre roll from 93 Boyz, Chicago’s first Black-owned cannabis brand—founded by me.

 

Uduimoh Ellis Umolu at the Kendrick Lamar concert.

 

Stupid faces and stupid chains. Thundercat.

 

Friday—in the studio creating a masterpiece with Peter CottonTale and DexLvL.

 

In the studio. Thundercat is the best bass player on the planet. Fight me.

 

An old friend next to a painting by Terron Cooper Sorrells in SKIN + MASKS at Kavi Gupta.

 

Friday night—master of ceremonies after a panel discussion for SKIN + MASKS at Kavi Gupta.

 

CENTERFOLDS. Me and Chanelle Lacy, a director at Kavi Gupta, after the discussion at the gallery. We’re in the summer edition of Cultured Magazine and planned SKIN + MASKS together.

 

Original Trappers—my good friend the musician Towkio with 93 Boyz product.

 

Rare Talent—the artist and designer Mia Lee after our panel discussion for SKIN + MASKS.

 

8 Mile Style.

 

Incognegro at Nick Cave’s exhibition Forothermore at the MCA Chicago.

 

My son Jamal Malik X.

 

Cool style in the elevator at Soho House.

 

BARS!!!!!! In the studio.

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