Vic Mensa has shared a “posthumous letter” to his late friend Virgil Abloh and it is a heartbreaking reminder of Abloh’s huge presence within several artistic industries.
At the weekend, the hip hop community grieved after the creative’s death was announced. Abloh, who worked closely with Kanye West, died at the age of 41 after a secretive battle with cancer which he had been fighting for several years.
A statement released by Abloh’s family read, “We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues.
“For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture.”
Now, Mensa has paid tribute to his fellow Chicagoan with a new track, ‘What You Taught Us’, which celebrates their friendship. “Virgil Abloh is synonymous with visionary,” Mensa explained.
“To see him go from DJing Superfun parties in Chicago that Hollywood Holt would sneak me in when I was 16 to revolutionising the way we think about design and its applications is a true inspiration to a generation that was blessed to be raised under his tutelage. Legends never die.”
Listen to the track below.