Vic Mensa returns to West Loop for rare set

Vic Mensa performed at Garcia’s in the West Loop on Wednesday night, marking the second date of his four-city Innane Tour. The venue, which opened in 2025 as a 300-seat homage to Jerry Garcia, hosted the hourlong show. The performance served as a homecoming for the rapper, who has based himself in Los Angeles since his early career days in Chicago.

Mensa played material from his debut mixtape, Innanetape, in full. The project was released in 2013 when Mensa was 19 years old. It appeared on streaming platforms for the first time in September 2026. The mixtape was released the same year as Chance the Rapper’s Acid Rap and Kanye West’s Yeezus. XXL magazine included Mensa in its Freshman Class for the work, a distinction that helped establish his reputation in the city’s hip-hop scene.

The guest list included several collaborators from Mensa’s past. Joey Purp opened the night, representing the Savemoney hip-hop collective. Producer Peter Cottontale, who served as executive producer for Innanetape, played keys as part of the four-piece live band. Chance the Rapper joined Mensa for a performance of “Suitcase.” This track is a bonus addition to the streaming version of the mixtape. The duo performed the song live for only the second time, with their previous appearance taking place at Metro in 2014.

The audience included local figures and fans. Hilario Dominguez, a candidate running for Chicago School Board president, attended the show. Mensa recently endorsed Dominguez in his Orange Tree Series, a popular Instagram format where the rapper shares unscripted takes on politics and culture. Up-and-coming rapper Recoechi was also present in the crowd. The attendance reflected the strong ties between the artist and the community that shaped his early career.

Mensa spoke to the audience about his connection to the city. He said Chicago has always been the core and nucleus of his work. He explained that his intensity in performance stems from a love for the place rather than a dislike for academics. He noted that whatever happens to the city’s residents happens to him. The rapper also discussed the origins of his music, referencing his high school band Kids These Days. He stated that the eclectic style of that group, which included members like Macie Stewart and Nico Segal, directly influenced the musical direction of Innanetape.

The setlist included 15 tracks, mixing older material with recent releases. Songs from Innanetape such as “Hollywood LA” and “Down on My Luck” were performed alongside newer tracks. These included “Shelter” from 2021 and “We Could Be Free” from 2017. Mensa also debuted two new gospel-tinged songs, “Money Up” and “Rich in Family.” The latter track, which features a chorus welcoming listeners, drew inspiration from his Ghanaian heritage. He currently lives in Los Angeles and spends time in Ghana, where he works on humanitarian and cultural projects, including the Black Star Line Festival launched with Chance the Rapper in 2022.

Mensa closed the show with a message of gratitude to the audience. He thanked them for welcoming him back home. The performance ended with the final track, “We Could Be Free,” concluding the set that spanned more than a decade of his musical career.