Vic Mensa Discusses the Evolution of Chicago Rap and Who He's Listening to #complexnews
•March 6, 2026
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Why It Matters
The evolution signals a turning point for Chicago’s influence on mainstream hip‑hop, affecting talent scouting and market dynamics for labels and streaming platforms.
Key Takeaways
- •Chicago rap shifted from experimental, conscious movement to fragmented scene.
- •Early era emphasized self-contained, musical collaboration among artists.
- •Lyrical breakout acts are scarce compared to past Chicago wave.
- •Emerging talents like 13° and Earth Sign Chels showcase creativity.
- •New artists blend hip‑hop bars with unconventional artistic direction.
Summary
Vic Mensa sits down with Complex News to reflect on how Chicago rap has transformed since the era he and Chance the Rapper emerged, describing the scene’s original ethos and its current state.
He notes that the early 2010s featured a “self‑contained movement” that was simultaneously musical, conscious, and experimental—a combination he says is largely absent today. While the city still produces inventive acts, the pipeline for lyrical breakout stars has thinned.
Mensa points to rising artists such as 13° and Earth Sign Chels as evidence of lingering creativity, praising Chels for “hip‑hop bars and creative direction” that feel fresh yet rooted in Chicago’s tradition.
The shift suggests that investors, labels, and cultural curators must look beyond legacy names to nurture the next wave, as the city’s evolving sound could reshape national hip‑hop trends.
Original Description
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