At an early age, Jenkinsโ mother introduced him to contemporary soul greats such as Prince, Erykah Badu, Sade and Jill Scott, thus promoting her sonโs 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 Chicagoโs PIVOT Gang collective, Saba. Shortly after, the two collaborated on โHeauxโ for Sabaโs 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 Chicagoโs 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 โCrossroadsโ, 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.
Barcelona
Mick Jenkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They offered twenty, I'm worth more, I told my nigga, "Book it"
Praise God my position isn't make or break it
I just wanted to spend the weekend in Spain
I meant it nice, don't give a fuck about how niggas took it
Awkward stares, like what the fuck you lookin' at?
And that's all over the world
I'm no nigga with dreams of bustin' all over your girl
Dividends tricklin' three ways due to the penmanship
I do shows in my leisure and all these sinks is residual
Pop out occasional for the sake of relationships
Sanitize after handshakes and treat the weed like it's Ritalin
Tryna give you a visual
Fuck all this censorship man, niggas too sensitive
If yo comfort ain't pivoting you ain't listenin' right
Granny praying for it, she say we ain't Christian-ing right!
Even water can't save mixin' dark with the light
Corner the art with the business, no beauty mark
But my point is these niggas runnin' with scissors and headed straight for the plug
Mogul talkin' business movin' at the pace of a slug
Left a trail, had to bail, knew his heart wasn't in it
How you up, banger, then catch Parkinson's with it? I mean
Lot of y'all hear that line and gon' know it well
I be on my show and prove, not my show-and-tell
Then the whole defense about it be so Colin Powell
I was speedin', had to slow it down
Off the fertilizer, nigga growin' now
I mean, enterprisin', been compartmentalizin' all my shit
A tornado flew around my room before you came, I straightened it
Right before yo eyes you see my stains, see me basically
Pickin' up the pieces
The lyrics to Mick Jenkins's song "Barcelona" touch on several themes, including self-worth, ambition, and the struggle to maintain authenticity in the face of societal pressures. The opening lines express Jenkins' refusal to engage in dishonest or unethical practices, highlighting his integrity and self-value. He confidently turns down a low offer, emphasizing that he knows his true worth.
The mention of wanting to spend a weekend in Spain represents a desire for escape and leisure, a break from the everyday grind. However, Jenkins acknowledges that his ambitions extend beyond personal pleasure. He is focused on his craft, emphasizing that he and his team have bigger aspirations and are continuously working towards their goals. The use of plural pronouns emphasizes the collective effort and shared success.
The lyrics also comment on the state of society, particularly the notion of sensitivity and censorship. Jenkins challenges the idea that people are too easily offended and asserts that true growth and understanding require discomfort and openness. He critiques those who claim to adhere to religious principles but fail to live up to them, emphasizing the importance of aligning actions with beliefs.
The second verse touches on the struggle of maintaining one's artistic vision in the face of commercialization. Jenkins explores the idea of blending art and business, acknowledging that compromises may be necessary to sustain relationships and financial stability. However, he warns against losing sight of one's true purpose and becoming complacent or stagnant. The mention of Parkinson's disease serves as a metaphor for losing passion or drive in pursuit of success.
Overall, "Barcelona" serves as an introspective and thought-provoking commentary on personal values, ambition, and the challenges faced by artists in the modern industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Look, straight up and down, I never did the crooked
I have always been honest and straightforward in my actions
They offered twenty, I'm worth more, I told my nigga, 'Book it'
I know my true value and refused to settle for less
Praise God my position isn't make or break it
I am grateful that my current situation is not crucial for my success
I just wanted to spend the weekend in Spain
I simply desired a relaxing vacation in Spain
I meant it nice, don't give a fuck about how niggas took it
I said it with good intentions, regardless of how others interpreted it
Awkward stares, like what the fuck you lookin' at?
People giving me strange glances as if they have a problem
And that's all over the world
This happens everywhere I go
I'm no nigga with dreams of bustin' all over your girl
I am not a man who only desires sexual encounters with women
That's belittling, bigger schemes, we been scribblin', notice it's plural
It's disrespectful and I am focused on greater plans, as shown by our multiple written ideas
Dividends tricklin' three ways due to the penmanship
Revenue flowing in from different sources because of our skillful writing
I do shows in my leisure and all these sinks is residual
I perform shows in my free time and the money keeps coming from various sources
Pop out occasional for the sake of relationships
Appear occasionally to maintain personal connections
Sanitize after handshakes and treat the weed like it's Ritalin
Cleanse myself after encounters and handle marijuana with caution
Tryna give you a visual
Attempting to provide you with a clear image or understanding
Fuck all this censorship man, niggas too sensitive
I dislike the act of censoring and believe people are overly sensitive
If yo comfort ain't pivoting, you ain't listenin' right
If you are not open to change, you are not truly paying attention
Granny praying for it, she say we ain't Christian-ing right!
My grandmother believes we are not practicing Christianity correctly
Even water can't save mixin' dark with the light
Even the purest things cannot fix the problems caused by combining opposites
Corner the art with the business, no beauty mark
Mastering the artistic side along with the business aspect, without any flaws
But my point is these niggas runnin' with scissors and headed straight for the plug
My main argument is that these individuals are taking unnecessary risks and endangering their opportunities
Mogul talkin' business movin' at the pace of a slug
A successful person discussing business matters at an extremely slow pace
Left a trail, had to bail, knew his heart wasn't in it
Left a noticeable path, had to withdraw, as he lacked passion
How you up, banger, then catch Parkinson's with it? I mean
How can you be active and influential, then suddenly lose your impact and capabilities? I am questioning
Lot of y'all hear that line and gon' know it well
Many of you will understand and relate to that particular line
I be on my show and prove, not my show-and-tell
I focus on demonstrating my skills and abilities, rather than just talking about them
Then the whole defense about it be so Colin Powell
Then the entire argument defending my stance becomes as strong as Colin Powell
I was speedin', had to slow it down
I was rushing and had to take a step back
Off the fertilizer, nigga growin' now
After receiving proper nurturing and support, I am finally growing and developing
I mean, enterprisin', been compartmentalizin' all my shit
I am ambitious and have been organizing all aspects of my life
A tornado flew around my room before you came, I straightened it
My life was chaotic and disorganized, but I managed to fix it before you arrived
Right before yo eyes you see my stains, see me basically
You can witness my flaws and imperfections, see the true essence of who I am
Pickin' up the pieces
Working on repairing the damage or mess I have created
Lyrics ยฉ Songtrust Ave
Written by: Jayson Mick Jenkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FG
wow. mick rapping over a kaytranada flipped bbng beat.
Milan Nemes
honestly one of the most refreshing and exciting things in todays rap
Keion Love
Not the first time and hopefully not the last
Sir Bond
Get that lyric video ready for this one G
Broke Boi
Grab yall water, it's mick season again ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Darnell Brown
Been drunk off that water
David Blaze
My water evaporated need help
Phillip Curtis
When isnt it micks season though๐ค
Quartell Spruell
How does someone hear that beat and say I can rap on that ๐
Big Fish
You can rap on anything if you have something to say