Vic Mensa relies on Apple's basic Voice Memos app to manage his creative output

Vic Mensa identifies the Voice Memos application on his smartphone as his most indispensable tool.

The rapper and actor, known for his roles on The Chi and Bel-Air, uses the app to record initial concepts before they fade from memory. He stated that everything for his creative work starts with that simple recording function.

Mensa explained that he captures song ideas, essay outlines, and observations about his orange tree using the app. He also records voice notes to himself during odd hours and preserves specific moments, such as things his son says that he wants to keep. Despite the many distractions present on a modern smartphone, he described Voice Memos as one of the few features that still feels honest to him.

The artist manages a varied portfolio that includes music, acting, activism, and the podcast The Vic Mensa Show. He credited Instagram with helping him find his voice as a creator. He began by posting videos of himself peeling an orange while discussing topics like politics, history, and fatherhood. That engagement on the platform demonstrated there was an audience for his longer-form content, leading to the creation of his podcast.

Mensa currently considers his upcoming album his proudest creation. He noted that it is the first project where he has fully taken himself seriously as a producer. The surrounding art, videos, and design elements for the album also excite him.

When he needs to focus, Mensa practices Shambhavi Mahamudra meditation, a technique he learned from Sadhguru. He often combines this with the Wim Hof breathing method, ideally performing the breathing exercises in a steam room before meditating.

The artist advocates for spending money on items that touch daily life, such as a good mattress, quality headphones, and durable clothing. He also values experiences with his child. He noted that he has wasted money on many items in the past, so he now tries to purchase things that either last or create a real memory. If his life were made into a biopic, he suggested the tagline would be "Live from the contradiction."