Kanye West Wonders Why ‘U Mad’ on New Vic Mensa Song

Vic Mensa. CC by 2.0/Wikimedia Commons

Vic Mensa has dropped the studio version of his new single “U Mad” on his Soundcloud page following a preview of Kanye West’s verse at a London gig last month. Listen below.

The pounding, heavy track is the 21-year-old rapper’s first single since 2014’s “Down on My Luck” off his highly anticipated debut EP Street Lights. Previously, he had gained recognition for 2013’s INNANETAPE, a free mixtape that featured the likes of Chance the Rapper and Ab-Soul.

West drags out the ends of his sentences during his self-deprecating verse, making for a more mellow tone against the aggressive beat reminiscent of West’s “All Day.” “There go another lawsuit,” begins the rapper who recently settled one stemming from an assault against a photographer. “It costs so much, man, I shoulda went to law school.”

The striking song is the second official collaboration between the Chicago rappers this year. Mensa sang on West’s somber “Wolves,” which the rapper premiered at the launch event for his Adidas collaboration the Yeezy 750 Boost. Later, Mensa and “Wolves” singer Sia joined the designer and rapper at SNL 40 to perform the track. “Wolves” is scheduled to appear on West’s upcoming album So Help Me God. Mensa also has a co-writing credit on West’s single “All Day” and appeared onstage at the Brit Awards during the song’s first live performance.

Mensa has not revealed a release date for his debut EP. West has also kept the release date for So Help Me God under wraps as well, having noted, though, that the release will most likely be a surprise.