Do you drink enough water? If not, now is a great time to start. Water is essential to your everyday life, and one could argue that so is Mick Jenkins’ newest project, The Water[s].
The Chicago rhyme dealer has built an indisputable reputation as one of the Windy City’s finest artists through his truthful bars and the images he depicts with every line.
As if Mick’s impeccable wordplay and hard-hitting metaphors weren’t lasting enough, the instrumentals used all throughout this project are enough to keep your ears pleased, though it’s the combination of the two that makes this project so great.
It features production from the likes OnGaud, Da P, DJ Dahi and more, and all meshes together for a notably cohesive end product. That being said, the thing that sticks out most about The Water[s] is Jenkins’ ability to relay truthful, real life messages without the listener even realizing what he or she is chanting along with.
Remind you of anyone? Maybe the face of TDE, Kendrick Lamar? What Kendrick has done with songs like “Swimming Pools” and even “Poetic Justice” is exactly what Mick has constructed with some of the songs on The Water[s]. Sonically, it appeals to many ears. The lyrics seem simple enough to catch onto. But there’s more to it—a lot more.
When it comes to Mick’s lyrics, there’s many layers, and it truly takes a few spins to get a good grasp on the knowledge he’s imparting.
The Water[s] is rounded out nicely by its guest features, namely that of Jean Deaux. The talented crooner lends her soothing, hypnotizing voice on “Healer,” a melodic track that draws you in with her distinct, sultry singing, but hits you upside the head with Mick’s stand out lyrics and definitive rapping voice.
Out of all the tracks, I feel this one best relates to the main theme of the project, which is water itself. The warming guitar plucking complements the airiness of the instrumental very well, and all fits together perfectly with Mick and Jean’s verses. It feels like sitting in a pool of water, floating laxly, letting the self-made tides carry you where they may.
The Water [s] is much deeper than hip hop—it’s poetry. Poetry laced with sagacious musings, all wrapped into one beautiful piece of music.
This isn’t a project you listen to at the gym. This isn’t a project you listen to in a group of people. This is a project that demands your attention. This is a project that you need to hear.
But first, I’d grab a glass of water.
You can stream/download the project as a whole below.
Follow him on Twitter | @FreeMickJenkins
Long live hip hop.
–Hef
