The Rise of Chicago Bred Lyricist, Mick Jenkins

Of Water[s] & Wave[s], Mick Jenkins Offers The Healing – The Rise of the Chicago Bred Lyricist

Jayson Mick Jenkins, better known by Mick Jenkins has been making waves in the Hip-Hop world for several years now. Respected by critics and fans alike for his remarkable lyricism, and creative themes, the Chicago-based rapper/poet has been working his way into the mainstream since his breakout 2014 mixtape, The Water[s].

Mick Jenkins has been a part of the new wave of Chicago Hip-Hop since 2012 with the release of his first project, The Mickstape. After that, Jenkins continued to garner local attention – releasing The Pursuit of HappyNess: The Story of Mickalascage the same year. He cemented his spot by working with fellow Chicago artists, such as Saba and Chuck Inglish. However, it wasn’t until the following year that Mick really started to blow up.

In 2013, Mick Jenkins released Trees & Truths. This project features the jazz-rap sound that Mick is known for, and is one of the most lyrically astounding projects of the last few years. Inspired by conversations he had with members of Free Nation, a Hip-Hop group that promotes free and creative thinking, Trees & Truths focuses on Mick’s perceptions of life’s truths. Shortly after, Mick collaborated with Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa to create the song “Cross Roads“, which further established his presence in the Chicago Hip-Hop scene.

Not wasting any of the hype created in the previous year, Mick Jenkins released his explosive 2014 mixtape, The Water[s]. This project’s theme revolved around the symbolic aspects of water. Standout tracks such as “Martyrs”, “Jerome”, and “Jazz”, showcase Mick’s incredible lyricism, which he uses to discuss themes of love, family, and death, over jazz-influenced instrumentals. While The Water[s] did not bring Mick the success seen by other Chicago artists (notably Vic Mensa, and Chance The Rapper), it certainly established him as one of the most talented new artists coming out of Chicago. The Water[s] received high critical acclaim, and is praised as being one of the best projects to come out of Chicago in the last few years.

In 2015, Jenkins released Wave[s], an EP which showed that Mick would continue to develop the concept created with his previous release, and later perfect in his long-awaited debut album The Healing Component.  Mick’s 2016 debut is an astoundingly smooth, and creative look into his perspective on love. The Healing Component retains Mick’s defining lyricism without coming off as cliché or convoluted. The track “Spread Love” communicates the value of love, and how it should overcome hate. “This Type of Love” is a skit, which features a conversation about different types of love, and their subtle differences. Every track on this project serves a purpose in the album’s ultimate message.

The rise of Mick Jenkins has been spectacular to watch. In a city wrought with talented artists, Mick Jenkins has proven that he is one of the best Chicago has to offer.

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