Vic Mensa is "LVLN UP" on New Single

Coming a few days ahead of his next LP.

Music
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In the latest cut off his sophomore album VICTORVic Mensa is showing off his witty wordplay. On “LVLN UP”, the Chicago rapper reminds us that he’s here to stay.

The two-minute cut is led by a crisp, hard-hitting beat, over which Mensa runs through his list of worthy flexes. “I got a whole new gameplan, I’m doin’ numbers like Rain Man / How many years I’ve been dope, man? / I said f*ck it and started a weed brand / And I’m connected like Edison, ay / Meeting with African presidents, ay,” he delivers with confidence on the verse.

Mensa wrote in an Instagram caption: “I made this beat when I was on a long drive from Accra to Keta through the Ghanian countryside. I sampled an old African record from the 70s, sum dusty and full of character. I wrote the hook about the direction I’m taking my life right now. About taking that dark cloud from above my name and shaping it, forming it into something formidable. Into a force of nature. This is about reimagining how the world has pigeonholed you, and taking flight on these n*ggas.”

“LVLN UP” takes a different tune than Mensa’s last single off VICTOR, “Blue Eyes”, which is a raw, reflective cut. “$WISH”, with G-Eazy and Chance the Rapper, “STRAWBERRY LOUIS VUITTON” with Thundercat and Maeta and “Eastside Girl” with Ty Dolla $ign also see spots on the 18-track album.

“LVLN UP” is now available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music. According to Apple Music, the single is the fourth track on VICTOR – which hits streaming everywhere this Friday, September 15.

In other music news, don’t miss Bakar’s vulnerable new single “I’m Done.”

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