The Autobiography

“The Autobiography” is the debut studio album by Chicago rapper Vic Mensa, released on July 28, 2017, through Roc Nation and Capitol Records.

The story

Mensa, who first drew notice with the 2013 mixtape “Innanetape,” signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and spent several years working toward a full-length debut. No I.D. served as executive producer alongside Jay-Z and Mensa, and Mensa described the finished record as an exploration of his own humanity. The songs move through his South Side upbringing, drug use, relationships and the gun violence around him; “Heaven on Earth” is built as a series of letters from people on different sides of a shooting, and the closer “We Could Be Free” reaches for a hopeful note. The album streamed early through NPR, and “Wings,” featuring Pharrell Williams and Saul Williams, was released as the lead single on July 13, 2017.

Sound and production

Producers included No I.D., Mike Dean, DJ Dahi, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart and 1500 or Nothin’, and the album draws on 1990s rap alongside rock and soul. Guests range from Weezer and Syd to Chief Keef, Joey Purp, Ty Dolla $ign and Pusha T.

Legacy

The album peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 18 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It earned generally favorable reviews and appeared on several 2017 year-end lists, including Rolling Stone’s rundown of the year’s best rap albums.