At an early age, Jenkins’ mother introduced him to contemporary soul greats such as Prince, Erykah Badu, Sade and Jill Scott, thus promoting her son’s musical sensibility. The young artist was charmed by the emotions carried out in this musical genre and later found hip-hop music to be another effective vehicle for these same feelings due its lyrical richness. As he grew older, his passion for music developed into an ever-increasing rap talent. This led him to enter a rap competition called "Who got Bars" during his sophomore year at the University of Oakwood in Huntsville, Alabama. When he was awarded second place, the prospect of a career in hip-hop crossed his mind and the chemistry he had forged with FreeNation throughout the competition inspired him to take his lyrical persuasions seriously.
In the Fall of 2012, Mick returned to Chicago and began attending YCA (Young Chicago Authors) a youth center where his first acapella verse caught the attention of local artist and leader of Chicago’s PIVOT Gang collective, Saba. Shortly after, the two collaborated on “Heaux” for Saba’s 2012 mixtape GETCOMFORTable.
In the spring of 2013 Mick Released a mixtape entitled Trees and Truths. It quickly became a local favorite, buoyed by acid jazz-influenced production, biblical allegory and lacerating lyricism. The project was by far his most lyrical body of work and caught the attention of Chicago’s incipient gatekeepers. A few months after its release, a collaboration with Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa came in the form of a single entitled “Crossroads”, which was a summer hit.
In 2014, Mick received a lot of attention after the release of his single "Martyrs." This song juxtaposes harsh truths about our society with a catchy hook, creating a thought-provoking single with various underlying messages and subtle notions. "Martyrs" has led people such as Timbaland, among others, to reach out and praise Jenkins for his musical talent and intricate lyricism. Mick continued to find creative ways to convey his message and he released his project entitled The Waters, the project received positive reviews.
In 2015, Mick went on tour with Kirk Knight, Noname, and Saba. On August 21, 2015, Jenkins released his 9-track EP Wave which also received positive reception. Mick released his debut album The Healing Component in 2016.
Angles
Mick Jenkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hope the preachers we burnin', yeah, yeah
Like the wait for another day
I only do it if I want to
Look in the mirror, do I want you?
I don't know, do you know?
Come on mister, don't lie
What do you feel when you look into your own eyes?
See it's all about angles
Whether I'm checking my watch or I'm hitting my dab
You use the same muscles to cough with as you would to laugh
It's perspective really, the collective is really suggesting a theory that love is a blessing
I'm stressing it really
Man y'all don't hear me, if you've never been alone how you know yourself?
If you ain't up underwater how you grow yourself?
You should love you so much that you'll Marilyn Manson yourself and blow yourself
It's some things you gotta learn that only you can show yourself
Getting introspective, it can only go right like you ain't got no left
Like a wack-ass point guard
Or a pornstar, yeah I'm going hard
Yeah, coin star
I've done seen change, trying to turn this to dollar bills
Touching souls, not just copping feels
See myself when I see my friends
They make sure I ain't lost the real
Lost at sea or lost at thought
I give a fuck if I ever lost a deal
I'm hungry to see me like a nigga lost a mill'
I've been running away 'cause I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna pray
Hope the preachers we burnin', yeah, yeah
Like the wait for another day
I only do it if I want to
Look in the mirror, do I want you?
I don't know, do you know?
Come on mister, don't lie
What do you feel when you look into your own eyes?
(I am) I am absolutely, positively happy
Exponential, gratitude for rapping
Aptitude for passing dude's expectations
The vacancy will always be laughing
'Cause niggas love a bitch when she's sarcastic
Rihanna is made of feather dust and matches
And everybody wants to touch the fire
A little love never hurt nobody
Y'all in the club while I'm sitting in the attic
Thinking about the plastic, a trip to Malibu
Spend a couple racks on racks of [?]
In the whites of rooms trying to get to you
And who could be the breadwinner? Me
And who could cook your next dinner? Me
I think not, I'm saving up for Audi
This is, aligory of a wack-long cloudy
I am absolutely, positively healthy
Re-define to expedite my wealthy
I need money, halfway sunny, out the country
Only god and a blunt could help me
And on it quickily
Happy with sunlight in my weave
[?] with all anonymous and verbal columnists
Good raps on it [?]
I've been running away 'cause I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna pray
Hope the preachers we burnin', yeah, yeah
Like the wait for another day
I only do it if I want to
Look in the mirror, do I want you?
I don't know, do you know?
Come on mister, don't lie
What do you feel when you look into your own eyes?
Had to get to know myself before I claimed I loved me
Nobody else, just for myself, got more myself just for me
Growing everyday, I'm growing everyday, growing everyday
Like a [?] in the [?] for you
Had to get to know myself before I claimed I loved me
Nobody else, just for myself, got more myself just for me
Growing everyday, I'm growing everyday, growing everyday
Like a [?] in the [?] for you
The lyrics to Mick Jenkins's song "Angles" are about self-reflection and introspection. The song talks about how one can only truly know and love themselves by spending time alone and looking inward. The first verse mentions the struggle of running away from conflicts and avoiding prayer, suggesting a desire to find inner peace. The chorus asks the question, "do I want you?" referring to the reflection in the mirror, questioning whether the person looking at themselves truly knows and loves themselves. The second verse talks about how being alone and getting introspective can be uncomfortable, but it's necessary to learn and grow. The line "It's some things you gotta learn that only you can show yourself" emphasizes the idea that self-discovery is a personal journey that cannot be taught by anyone else. The song concludes with the theme of personal growth, with the repeated refrain "growing everyday like a [?] in the [?] for you."
Overall, "Angles" is a reminder to take the time to get to know and love oneself and to prioritize personal growth. It acknowledges the discomfort and challenges that come with introspection but emphasizes its necessity for personal development.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been running away 'cause I don't wanna fight, I don't wanna pray
I choose to avoid conflict and religion
Hope the preachers we burnin', yeah, yeah
Hope the corrupt religious leaders face consequences
Like the wait for another day
Similar to waiting for a better opportunity
I only do it if I want to
I am selective in my actions
Look in the mirror, do I want you?
Do I see the most authentic version of myself in the reflection?
I don't know, do you know?
Uncertainty about self-identity
Come on mister, don't lie
Be honest with yourself, don't deceive yourself
What do you feel when you look into your own eyes?
What emotions arise when scrutinizing oneself?
See it's all about angles
Perception is everything
Whether I'm checking my watch or I'm hitting my dab
It's all about one's vantage point
You use the same muscles to cough with as you would to laugh
Illustrating the point that perspective is everything
It's perspective really, the collective is really suggesting a theory that love is a blessing
Society's perception of love being a blessing stems from perspective
Man y'all don't hear me, if you've never been alone how you know yourself?
Self-discovery mandates periods of solitude
If you ain't up underwater how you grow yourself?
Signifying that challenges foster personal growth
You should love you so much that you'll Marilyn Manson yourself and blow yourself
Encourage radical self-love
It's some things you gotta learn that only you can show yourself
Self-discovery is a journey only oneself can lead
Getting introspective, it can only go right like you ain't got no left
Examining oneself leads to progress and self-realization
Like a wack-ass point guard
Implies a lack of skill or direction
Or a pornstar, yeah I'm going hard
Contrasting with the previous line and displaying a sense of confidence
Yeah, coin star
Possibly alluding to being broke
I've done seen change, trying to turn this to dollar bills
Change refers to shady or immoral behavior and increasing wealth
Touching souls, not just copping feels
Meaningful connections rather than superficial ones
See myself when I see my friends
Friends are reflections of oneself
They make sure I ain't lost the real
Friends serve as a safeguard to not losing oneself
Lost at sea or lost at thought
Intrusive thoughts causing confusion and a lack of direction
I give a fuck if I ever lost a deal
Prioritizing personal values over material gains
I'm hungry to see me like a nigga lost a mill'
Eager for self-discovery
Had to get to know myself before I claimed I loved me
Signifying a need for true self-discovery and acceptance before loving oneself
Nobody else, just for myself, got more myself just for me
Eliminating external factors and only focusing on inner growth
Growing everyday, I'm growing everyday, growing everyday
Indicating a continuous journey of self-discovery and development
Like a [?] in the [?] for you
Unclear reference or metaphor
(I am) I am absolutely, positively happy
Expressing a sense of genuine happiness
Exponential, gratitude for rapping
Gratefulness for the ability to express oneself through music
Aptitude for passing dude's expectations
Ability to exceed standards set by others
The vacancy will always be laughing
Emptiness will always persist
'Cause niggas love a bitch when she's sarcastic
Sarcasm becomes attractive
Rihanna is made of feather dust and matches
Comparison between the carefree nature of Rihanna and her own pursuit of personal growth
And everybody wants to touch the fire
Despite the risks, people are drawn to danger
A little love never hurt nobody
Encouraging love and kindness
Y'all in the club while I'm sitting in the attic
Preferring solitude over social engagements
Thinking about the plastic, a trip to Malibu
Reflecting on materialistic desires
Spend a couple racks on racks of [?]
Spending money on expensive items and experiences
In the whites of rooms trying to get to you
Unclear reference or metaphor
And who could be the breadwinner? Me
Asserting independence and financial stability
And who could cook your next dinner? Me
Fulfilling the stereotypical gender roles in a relationship
I think not, I'm saving up for Audi
Prioritizing desires over societal expectations
This is, aligory of a wack-long cloudy
Unclear reference or metaphor
I am absolutely, positively healthy
Expressing good health and well-being
Re-define to expedite my wealthy
Changing one's conception of wealth to attain it faster
I need money, halfway sunny, out the country
Expressing desire for both adventure and financial stability
Only god and a blunt could help me
At wit's end and in need of assistance
And on it quickily
Unclear reference or metaphor
Happy with sunlight in my weave
Happiness in the simple things
[?] with all anonymous and verbal columnists
Unclear reference or metaphor
Good raps on it [?]
Unclear context or meaning
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Jayson Andrew Jenkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind