Family was the key theme of Vic Mensa‘s homecoming celebration in Chicago last night (Mar. 13).

“I wanted to do something small where I could see everybody’s faces,” said Mensa to those that were able to make it into the venue from the line that wrapped around North Avenue.

Mensa’s homecoming marked a key turning point in his career with a performance meant especially for his most loyal and devoted fans. Tickets for the surprise show at the Chop Shop, on Chicago’s North Side, sold out in under five minutes and the anticipation followed all the way through the performance until the moment he exited stage right.

In the past month, Mensa has reached a completely new plateau of notoriety. He’s quickly risen from being one of the ambassadors of Chicago’s local music scene, mostly through his work with SAVEMONEY, to an artist on the verge of making waves on an international scale. Chicago’s been on his back every step of the way.

Mensa has been spotted alongside Kanye West for some of his biggest moments, as of late. Including their performance of “Wolves” on NBC’s Saturday Night Live‘s 40th Anniversary Special, alongside Sia, and appearances in both London and Paris.

Although Mr. West wasn’t anywhere to be seen in the Chop Shop this past Friday night, his presence was felt throughout. Most notably through Vic’s live performance of “Wolves,” a new track from West’s forthcoming album, So Help Me God. Vic also rocked a pair of Yeezy 750 Boosts, which he most likely had hand-delivered by the man himself.

But last night wasn’t about Kanye West–it was about Vic taking a moment to soak everything in with the same fans and family that have supported him ever since he was a part of Kids These Days, went solo and continued on in his success.

The performance started off with a crowd favorite in “I Feel That” and transitioned to some the most notable tracks off of Mensa’s Innanetape, such as “Time is Money” and “Orange Soda” (freestyle included). Fans were also treated to a cover of N.E.R.D.’s “She Wants To Move.” Brothers from SAVEMONEY, Towkio and Leather Corduroys (Joey Purp and Kami), also claimed their stake in the night’s festivities with their own performances.

“Yall are family to me, forreal,” said Mensa. “I went through CPS, (Chicago Public Schools). I didn’t go to college and shit, but I’m from the same streets that yall from. I rode the same busses and trains as yall.”

Mensa finished out the night on stage accompanied by his SAVEMONEY brethren while “All Day” played in the background in celebration of the latest victories tallied by Vic and Chicago’s music scene as a whole.

View more photos from the performance below.

Photo Credit: Bryan Allen Lamb

– Keith Reid-Cleveland