Rage

Album: The Autobiography (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Produced by Vic Mensa himself, alongside Mike Dean, this track finds the Chicago rapper recounting his battles with mental health, substance abuse and his legal troubles.

    These days I lose track of days
    Been years since I felt this way
    Count on me to rage


    Mensa explained to Clash: "The themes that are explored in there, the addiction themes and the legal struggles and the violence that I've experienced in my life are all things that can tear you down, it could break you down. It can eat away at your insides and to keep its innermost power. The song is an expression of raging through it all."
  • The five-minute video finds Mensa aboard a private jet that gets struck by lightning and plunges into the dark ocean. The Chicago rapper makes it out alive and emerges. stronger than ever.

    The plane crash is an overt metaphor for Mensa's personal struggles with addiction and mental health, from which he came through the other side, reborn. He told The Fader:

    "This music video and song were done before the rest of the album was recorded, and really laid the foundation for the emotions that would become The Autobiography."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?