Mick Jenkins
Chicago, Illinois, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
Whether it's his commanding delivery or compelling lyricism, Mick Jenkins is one of those artists you know has something special after just one listen. The Chicago-based emcee released his mixtape Trees & Truths last April, and has steadily been building a following since. Here Jenkins links up with frequent collaborators OnGaud for "Leonidas," a track set to be included on his forthcoming project The Water[s]. If you like what you hear, be sure to check out Mick's song "Crossroads" featuring Vic Mensa and Chance The Rapper. - Eric Montanez
Mick Jenkins has released a video for "Martyrs" that is bound to get people talking. The song, produced by OnGaud, samples Nina Simone's "Strange Fruit," the same version Kanye West sampled on "Blood On The Leaves." However, the upstart rapper from Chicago uses the sample to talk about the city's violence and rappers that propagate the violence.
The video is eerily inspired by the sample. Outdoor scenes show Mick hanging by a noose in a forest, while other scenes have him playing off of Chief Keef's "I Don't Like" video. Mick and his homies pass around blunts and pose for the camera, but they all are wearing nooses around their neck. The video is as scary as it is thought provoking. "Martyrs" will appear on Mick's upcoming mixtape, The Water[s]. - DHARMIC X
Feeling this. The Chicago resident is preparing to drop his project Trees & Truths in April and this is the first visual. - Nah Right
At a time where Chicago doesn’t necessarily need another up and coming rapper, Mick Jenkins emerges. In just a few months, Mick has been able to prove his talents and rise to the top of the city’s bubbling hip-hop scene. His new mixtape, Trees & Truths, is an impressive lyrical body of work inspired by lifted conversations between Mick and his crew. Over production primarily handled by OnGaud, these trees influenced discussions of truths come to life. Features from Jean Deaux, Saba, SolarFive and NoName prove to be icing on the cake of a very well executed concept album. Download Trees & Truths after the jump and keep an eye out for our interview with Mick Jenkins coming soon. - SeeBeyondGenre
Chicago’s Mick Jenkins is somewhat new to FSD, but he’s definitely someone we’re keeping an eye on. While we’re new to the MC, most of his work has caught our attention, so it’s only right that we bring you his new mixtape, Trees & Truths.
Saba, Jean Deaux and others show up to contribute, and 17 new songs are included. We suggest you give it a spin. Stream and download below. - FakeShoreDrive
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Hailing from the Chicagos South Side, Mick Jenkins is reinventing the hip-hop wheel among his peers. Landscaping culture through lyrics, his artistry stems from the Great Migration and its contribution to his hometown music. Heavily influenced by rappers Common and Phonte, Jenkins channels inspiration from these artists with every verse through wordplay and metaphor.
At an early age, Jenkins mother introduced him to contemporary soul greats such as Prince, Erykah Badu, Sade and Jill Scott. Drawn by the emotions carried out in this musical genre, Jenkins sought a similar feeling in hip-hop music. As his affinity for rap grew, so did his talent, and thats when Jenkins started to take his lyrical persuasions seriously. While a college sophomore, Jenkins joined the hip-hop act Freenation, a collaborative group known for creating music without boundaries.
Incorporating personal style into his music, Jenkins is all about getting a bang for your buck without resorting to a McDonalds value menu. Using fashion as a tool for self-expression, on any given day, Jenkins can be found wearing a brand new boutique bought top combined with a pair of slacks dug up from a local thrift shop. Applying a similar formula to his music, Jenkins takes a bit of old, mixing it up with something new to cook up a fresh sound.
Serving as a daily source of inspiration, Jenkins mother and sister fuel his drive as he pursues his ambition. As a natural storyteller, Jenkins uses his gift to uplift his listeners while reviving a genre overrun by monotony.
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