Vic Mensa unveils ‘Halfrican’ and speaks on AI’s growing impact

(27 Jun 2026) ASSOCIATED PRESS 26 June 2026 - Los Angeles 1. Medium Vic Mensa gives interview 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Vic Mensa, Recording Artist/Actor/Director: “For the story that has inspired “Halfrican” I've actually been writing scripts, pilots and screenplays for a handful of years. And as things I've been doing online developed, I thought it would be a good way to marry those storylines to create a short film version of “Halfrican” that starts at my orange tree and goes on a journey.” 3. Medium Vic Mensa gives interview 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Vic Mensa, Recording Artist/Actor/Director: “I think we're at an interesting time when there is more agency for creatives in general and more avenues with which to get things made and this short film was actually a labor of community entirely. A lot of the crew came from Instagram, a lot of the actors came from a general call we did online, it was all built out of the community that is supporting us already.” 5. Close Vic Mensa gives interview 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Vic Mensa, Recording Artist/Actor/Director: “Yeah for sure, I always knew that it would be valuable but I had a lot of fear and had been burned in the past and, ultimately, everything great is on the other side of fear.” 7. Medium Vic Mensa gives interview 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Vic Mensa, Recording Artist/Actor/Director: “I think understanding AI, first of all, is a good step in the right direction. Because, ultimately, AI is being weaponised against us every single day and the longer that we are completely opposed to it, the more that we have no possibility other than to be oppressed by it. Now the dangers of AI are, we all seen “I, Robot,” you know what I'm saying? You know where it's going but I personally am not of the mind that there's a possibility for sitting this one out. Because it’s happening with or without us." ++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++ STORYLINE: Vic Mensa showcased his short film “Halfrican” at Create the Writers Room’s Five Film Fridays event.  Mensa, whose viral “orange tree series” features him discussing political, racial and community topics while peeling an orange, says the film was a community effort.  “I think we're at an interesting time when there is more agency for creatives in general and more avenues with which to get things made, and this short film was actually a labor of community entirely. A lot of the crew came from Instagram, a lot of the actors came from a general call we did online, it was all built out of the community that is supporting us already.” The rapper also discussed the dangers of racially biased AI systems in one of his most recent social media videos, expressing the importance of understanding AI as its presence continues to increase worldwide.  “I think understanding AI, first of all, is a good step in the right direction. Because, ultimately, AI is being weaponized against us every single day, and the longer that we are completely opposed to it, the more that we have no possibility other than to be oppressed by it.” =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...