Mick Jenkins
The Water[s]


4.0
excellent

Review

by RivalSkoomaDealer USER (19 Reviews)
September 22nd, 2014 | 131 replies


Release Date: 2014 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Step into The Water[s] and be refreshed.

“Water more important than the gold. / People for the gold. / Everybody do it for the gold. / People save your soul.” It’s a statement likely unheard from most other prominent hip-hop artists today. From these lines alone, it’s clear that 23 year old Mick Jenkins understands what is truly at stake. His brutally honest confessions pepper these 15 tracks with enough emotion and sincerity for the listener to be mostly on board (pun intended) with his moral stance; even if he does have a tendency to drill it into the listener with rather frequent repetition. His bars are consistently delivered with the kind of passion and power that calls to mind the flow of Kendrick with a bit more of a socially conscious delivery. His thought-provoking messages elevate his work to an entirely different arena than Chicago peers like Chance the Rapper and Chief Keef. He laments the empty success of some of his peers with lyrics like “I couldn’t afford to get my girl into this open mic that I performed for...But somewhere in the world there’s a Riff Raff concert that people gon' swarm for." It’s more than jealousy at work-Jenkins clearly has much more to offer today’s generation than most of his peers who treat their body of work as a joke or use it to perpetuate self-destructive lifestyles. Joey Bada$$ and NoNameGypsy put in some noteworthy guest appearances here, as well as some well used hooks from Ebony and Jean Deaux.

Sonically, the beats used on this tape match the theme of water perfectly. Everything is slowed down and airy, offering an immersive experience that creates the sensation of being underwater. Opener “Shipwrecked” boasts a fantastic shift in the beat about half way through that brings with it Jenkins’ intense delivery. OnGaud kills it again, just as he did on Jenkins’ debut Trees & Truths, showing up for 6 of the 15 tracks and creating the kind of tension necessary to captivate listeners from start to finish.

Today’s hip-hop culture seems to have largely lost the kind of purpose and inspiration it once had. You don’t hear many rappers today with any kind of substantial message other than to feed a culture of excess and materialism. But where other artists give their fans toxic lyrics about empty riches and self-destruction, Mick Jenkins offers his fans hope and inspiration. He sees the world for what it truly is, never sugar-coating or offering delusional fantasies of fame or fortune. His music is as refreshing as, well, water. This project cements Jenkins as not only a skilled lyricist but also a great storyteller and a technically proficient songwriter. Hip-hop needs the kind of brash, no bullshit messages that Jenkins has to offer.

So, have you drank enough water today?



Recent reviews by this author
Passion Pit KindredLudacris Ludaversal
Autechre GarbageDrake If You're Reading This It's Too Late
John Carpenter Lost ThemesPeriphery Juggernaut: Omega
user ratings (200)
3.9
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
RivalSkoomaDealer
September 22nd 2014


1645 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

STREAM: https://soundcloud.com/mickjenkinsmusic/sets/the-waters





oltnabrick
September 22nd 2014


40765 Comments


Not really impressed with this.

RivalSkoomaDealer
September 22nd 2014


1645 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

You're right Yung Lean is so much better

oltnabrick
September 22nd 2014


40765 Comments


You were asking what I thought of this. I said I wasn't impressed. You started comparing it to Yung Lean. Why?

RivalSkoomaDealer
September 22nd 2014


1645 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

You 5'd Unknown Memory. You must think it is greater in quality than this. No?

oltnabrick
September 22nd 2014


40765 Comments


Its not really that this is bad its just been done a lot of times before. Its really similar to Kendrick's Section 80 tbh.

RivalSkoomaDealer
September 22nd 2014


1645 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I feel you. Mainly just impressed with the lyrics/production quality.

PiedradeLuna
September 22nd 2014


233 Comments


Well written review.
Heard a single off this last week and thought it was pretty good. Still got to listen to the whole thing but you make it sound promising, especially his message.

RivalSkoomaDealer
September 22nd 2014


1645 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I think you'll dig this.



And thanks!

PiedradeLuna
September 22nd 2014


233 Comments


I wouldn't really say I'm into conscious hip hop, don't get me wrong I don't mind it but can also get into the more superficial stuff. With Jenkins though, his message sounded pretty unique. I didn't know till I read this that it was a concept album about water.

Yeah no problem. Will give the stream a go when I'm home.

Wolfhorde
September 22nd 2014


15387 Comments


I'm uneasy with the term "conscious hip hop".

Although, it's not as awful as "cloud rap".

PiedradeLuna
September 22nd 2014


233 Comments


It is rather odd sounding but guess it's just a shorter way of writing hip hop with a positive message (even that is a bit misleading and subjective)

RivalSkoomaDealer
September 22nd 2014


1645 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I use conscious hip hop as a genre tag in the loosest way possible. But if you vibe with Lupe or

Common's lyrics then this tape will probably be up your alley.

Wolfhorde
September 22nd 2014


15387 Comments


Yeah, I don't like Lupe Fiasco. I do like this, though. I just don't like the implication of "conscious", it has a whiff of pretense.

It just makes my mind inevitably drift to the suburban white stoner kid at Occupy rallies rambling on about how "Corporate America is the devil". I just don't think being "socially conscious" (whatever that means) is anything of inherent value or an indicator of anything but ideology.

RivalSkoomaDealer
September 22nd 2014


1645 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I dont think Jenkins is a fake activist or trying to express his views to encourage personal glorification.

My views just happen to line up with his well enough to get a deeper appreciation for his music. I think

there is plenty of value in what Jenkins is saying.

DropdeadWHA
September 23rd 2014


1396 Comments


Really not sure on this, has some good tracks though. I think it's gonna require multiple listens for it to click with me. I agree about the production though, it's great.

jtswope
October 7th 2014


5788 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Healer and Dehydration are beautiful. Yeah the production is great.

LambsBread
November 6th 2014


6522 Comments


'conscious hip hop' is just slang for political hip hop. 'conscious rap' doesn't necessarily have a positive connotation, there is plenty of shitty conscious rap/rappers

Lord(e)Po)))ts
November 8th 2014


70256 Comments


this is awesome

also it isn't remotely like kendricks section.80 thats retarded

oltnabrick
November 8th 2014


40765 Comments


not really surprised that you would like this



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy