Victor Mensah, known as Vic Mensa, is a rapper from Chicago and a former me… Read Full Bio ↴Victor Mensah, known as Vic Mensa, is a rapper from Chicago and a former member of the hip-hop group Kids These Days. Following their breakup he has pursued a rapidly growing solo career leading up to the release of his mixtape INNANETAPE. Vic has rapped on both of Chance the Rapper's mixtapes, 10 Day and Acid Rap. He is a member of the Save Money collective and has recently signed with Roc Nation, with music with Kanye West in the works for his upcoming project, "Traffic". He has appeared on Kanye West's song, Wolves, and West has appeared on Vic's track, U Mad.

INTRODUCTION
Vic Mensa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hello this is a prepaid collect call from James Warren
An inmate at Dixon Correctional Center

Ayy, what's up blood, what you on man?
Damn it's loud as hell
Ayy, you in the studio right now?
Ayy, ayy, ayy, bro check it out
My homie right here bro he be singing and shit going crazy

Man, hold on, hold on
(Ayy, check it out man)

I'm so glad you're alive
You survived
They wanted you to die
Mm-hm
Keep your head to the sky
I'll be there when you cry

You're still alive
You're still alive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Vic Mensa's song INTRODUCTION showcase a powerful message about hope and the strength that can be found in difficult times. The opening lines are actually a collect call from James Warren, an inmate at Dixon Correctional Center. This introduction immediately sets a somber tone for the song as the listener becomes aware of the struggles Warren has been facing. Vic Mensa's voice comes in after the collect call, and his response to Warren is one of encouragement and support.

Mensa sings, "I'm so glad you're alive, you survived, they wanted you to die." These lines possibly refer to a difficult period in Warren's life, where he may have faced harsh criticism or even threats on his life. Mensa's words not only acknowledge the difficulty of the situation but also express gratitude for Warren's survival. Mensa ends the song with the lines, "Keep your head to the sky, I'll be there when you cry, you're still alive, you're still alive." These lines emphasize the theme of hope and resilience that underlies the song. Although Warren is currently incarcerated, Mensa is pointing out that he is still alive, he can still find strength, and there is still hope for tomorrow.

Overall, the song INTRODUCTION is a powerful message of hope and perseverance. Although it is a simple song in terms of length and structure, it packs a lot of meaning into its brief runtime. The lyrics acknowledge the difficulty of life and the struggles that can befall individuals, but ultimately they emphasize the importance of resilience and hope in overcoming these obstacles.

Line by Line Meaning

Hello this is a prepaid collect call from James Warren
The singer is receiving a call from a person named James Warren who is currently incarcerated and had to use a prepaid service to make the call.

An inmate at Dixon Correctional Center
The caller identifies himself as an inmate at Dixon Correctional Center, a correctional facility.

Ayy, what's up blood, what you on man?
The singer greets the caller and asks him what he's up to.

Damn it's loud as hell
The caller mentions that it's very loud where he is, possibly indicating a noisy environment.

Ayy, you in the studio right now?
The artist asks the caller if he is currently in a recording studio.

Ayy, ayy, ayy, bro check it out
The singer intensifies his request for the caller to listen to something he wants to share.

My homie right here bro he be singing and shit going crazy
The singer introduces his friend who is a singer and expresses excitement about their talent.

Man, hold on, hold on
The artist asks for a moment to prepare or get organized before sharing the music.

(Ayy, check it out man)
The artist offers one final prompt for the caller to listen to the music.

I'm so glad you're alive
The artist expresses deep gratitude and happiness that the caller is still alive.

You survived
The singer acknowledges the difficult and dangerous circumstances that the caller may have faced and overcame.

They wanted you to die
The artist references the fact that there may have been people who wished harm upon the caller and did not want them to survive.

Mm-hm
The singer expresses agreement or confirmation, perhaps in response to something the caller said.

Keep your head to the sky
The singer offers words of encouragement or advice to the caller, telling them to look up or remain optimistic.

I'll be there when you cry
The singer offers emotional support to the caller, expressing willingness to offer comfort during difficult times.

You're still alive
The artist reiterates the fact that the caller is still alive, perhaps as a way of emphasizing how important this is.

You're still alive
The artist repeats the sentiment expressed in the previous line, further underscoring its significance.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Darius Scott Dixson, James Warren, Victor Mensah

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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