Vic Mensa was the best rapper during Governors Ball weekend

Several hours after their performances were cancelled at the sixth annual Governors Ball at Randall’s Island, two Chicago emcees encouraged forlorn fans by announcing that they were planning surprise pop-ups show in New York City. Both Kanye West and Vic Mensa promised fans a second chance to see them live, this time at the intimate music venue Webster Hall, but only one managed to follow through on that promise—and despite the fact that it wasn’t Pablo, it turned out to be the best rap performance of Governors Ball weekend.

With fans flocking the venue as soon as Mensa announced the event—some urgently tweeting and scouring Craigslist to purchase tickets (the show was sold out an hour after it was announced)—Webster Hall and the surrounding area of lower Manhattan was alarmingly busy that h Sunday night. Waiting in line, it was hard to imagine that the crowd was there to see Mensa himself; the only names on people’s lips were Chance the Rapper, Travis Scott, and even Kanye. But by the time the show kicked off, my suspicions about the audience’s true intentions were gone: as Mensa performed “12 Shots,” only his second joint of the evening, his microphone malfunctioned. But even a technical issue couldn’t damper the electric crowd, who rapped along with Mensa until he was gifted with a new mic. It was impressive that fans knew most of the words to the anti-police brutality anthem dedicated to LaQuan McDonald considering the single had dropped just five days prior. Mensa continued playing familiar hits: his Kanye team-up “U Mad,” his Flume collab “Lose It,” and “There’s A Lot Going On,” from his recent six track EP of the same name.

The performance itself had the pure energy of a punk show, with fans bouncing off the floor and each other inside the showroom. As the pre-mosh vibes continued, it seemed like Mensa would launch himself into the crowd at any given moment—a feat which he eventually accomplished while he performed the adrenaline pumping “U Mad,” rapping the lyrics while surfing on his back. Just when the energy seemed like it was reaching a plateau, the crowd nearly jumped through the damn roof—Mensa had introduced Ty Dolla $ign to the stage. The rapper-songwriter-producer performed “Blasé” of syndicated radio fame, then both performers slowed it down, and, spitting bars over guitar samples, performed their recent collab “Liquor Talk.”

With the release of his latest EP, There’s A Lot Going On, and his wide-ranging performance on Sunday, Mensa proved his versatility and willingness to become more than just crossover talent with pulsating club bangers. In the title track, he spits out his own personal demons at the expense of a traditional rhyme scheme, touching on internal struggles of past depression, addiction, and domestic disputes. Mensa explored these topics that night at Webster Hall, too, giving people in the crowd a much-needed moment to catch their breath when the tempo eased up and slowed down.

By the time Mensa wrapped things up, none of his fans were willing to exit the venue, and a Chance The Rapper sighting fueled hopes of encores and more guest performances. Although those lofty wishes were never fulfilled, Mensa easily beat out his peers—Mac Miller, Action Bronson, De La Soul, and Big Boi—as the most entertaining rap performer during the three-day festival weekend. (It should be noted that Joey Bada$$ and Vince Staples never had the chance to step foot on stage after an ongoing NYPD investigation and inclement weather forecasts canceled both of their shows.) Although Webster Hall disappointed thousands when they cancelled Kanye’s supposed pop-up—there was no way that more than five thousand fans would be able to cram into a 1,500 person venue, and the show could not go on— hip-hop fans in New York City were more than satisfied ending their weekend with the dynamic performance from Mensa.