Rapper Vic Mensa credits Apple Voice Memos for his creative output
Mensa says the app captures songs, essay ideas, and his son's words before they fade, serving as a core tool across his music, acting, and podcasting work.
By John Price ·
Vic Mensa relies on the Voice Memos app on his smartphone to record ideas as they occur. He uses the tool to capture song lyrics, essay concepts, and observations about his orange trees. He also saves voice notes to himself and specific phrases his young son says. Mensa describes the app as one of the few parts of his phone that feels honest. He presses record to preserve thoughts before they disappear.
Mensa has released music, acted in the television series The Chi and Bel-Air, and hosted the podcast The Vic Mensa Show. His debut mixtape, Innanetape, became available on major streaming services in September 2026. He also maintains an active presence on social media and is involved in various business ventures. The Voice Memos app supports his work across these different fields.
The artist identifies Instagram as the platform where he engages most with the public. He began posting videos of himself peeling oranges and discussing topics such as politics, history, and fatherhood. The response to those posts helped him determine the format for his podcast. He notes that Instagram serves as a valuable tool for connection despite its chaotic nature.
Mensa is currently working on a new album. He states that it is the first project where he has taken himself seriously as a producer. He is building a surrounding world for the release that includes art, videos, design, and clothing. He expresses excitement about the creative elements involved in this new body of work.
To maintain focus, Mensa uses two specific methods. He practices Shambhavi Mahamudra meditation, which he learned from Sadhguru. He also uses the Wim Hof breathing method. He prefers to perform the breathing exercises in a steam room before meditating.
The artist advises spending money on items that touch daily life. He lists good mattresses, quality headphones, and long-lasting clothes as priorities. He also values spending money on experiences with his child. He aims to buy things that either last or create real memories.
When asked for a tagline for a potential biopic, Mensa answered, "Live from the contradiction." He did not specify a last used GIF or meme in the interview.
Source: The Verge
