Why I'm A Fan of Vic Mensa Dragging DJ Akademiks

Today's episode of Complex's "Everyday Struggle" with Vic Mensa got a little (very) heated. The promo that set Twitter on fire showed Vic going in on DJ Akademiks for his previous comments and film on Chicago's violence. 

Wikipedia describes DJ Akademiks as a disc jockey that has "dedicated his career to covering hip-hop news in a satirical fashion"-- in layman's terms, a certified troll. In fact, in 2015, the Daily Dot deemed him "hip-hop's one man TMZ": a title NO hip-hop "representative" should be proud to boast. As previously stated, his wiki also discusses how his "coverage" of the drill music in Chicago drove him to popularity. Needless to say being from the South Side of Chicago, a fan is not something I would call myself.

Those familiar with Vic Mensa know that he is a rapper very proud of where he's from, his SouthSide neck tattoo being a prime indicator. We also know that Vic is not only very opinionated, but very vocal in said opinions that he has. So it is of no surprise that he vocalized his perspective as he did.

Here is why I believe that Vic's interview is very important, calling Akademiks a bitch and all.

As a person from Chicago's South Side, there is a lot that I have experienced first hand. Plenty of RIP messages I have written. Several funerals to attend. Several half-empty "it will be okay" to loved ones that are left to survive their murdered friends and family. Millions of "please be safes" every time I depart from friends and family. Then there is the representation that the media has. "Chiraq" IS NOT an acceptable term. 
 

I have had this same conversation several times with several people across several platforms. And funny enough, Vic was FAR calmer than I usually am. I have dealt with several Akademiks in my days that have plenty of opinion on what they feel is going on in Chicago but no actual knowledge of the issues (school closures, projects being torn down, over policing, etc). They have never buried a close friend or relative due to Chicago violence. Many of them have never even set foot or flown over Chicago but these are the people with opinions and platforms not knowing shit about what they are speaking on.

I personally over the past 6 months have lost at least 5 people to violence in Chicago. In that, seeing Vic publicly school a purposely ignorant person on what goes on in our city put a smile on my face.

May all of Chicago's angels continue to Rest In Peace.

Watch the interview below.