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.
Communicate
Mick Jenkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like she be tryna like level the playing field all the time
Like yo reality is you're not as stressed as me
You don't have as much going on as me, and you not as busy as me
You don't understand how I feel just because you have been stressed
Just because you've been tired from work
And because there was that rift I could never really talk about it
'Cause the reality is you taking the L every time in so many
Different things in this relationship
Like we can't really play and bullshit all the time
What I will, when I want, why I came
What I will, when I want, why I came
What I will, when I want, why I came
How you figure, who is you, Nardwuar or something?
You don't know shit about me
Yeah black man and that's everything it denotes
She want a nigga that can sing
But she only ever wanna hear the C-notes
Yeah said she know that shouldn't be a thing
Just a dream, I ain't never been a cheap ho
Yeah feeling on her body when we dance
I'm assuming her whole wardrobe probably bespoke
Yeah, 'cause it fits so tight
A silhouette in the disco lights
Call you bae
And I don't mean the San Francisco type
Lit cross, crisp pop in the light
And you smile and I swear that it gets so bright, right
Right, John Smoltz couldn't throw shade at you girl
And your black skirt been so tight, right
Gotta have a little cocaine in you girl, you addicting
Nurse Joy can you fill my prescriptions?
Should I take drugs without your permission?
If you a sin I can't be a Christian
Listen to me tripping, I'm tripping
Nothin' is nothin' why you act lone
Somethin' is somethin' why you stay at home all night?
(?) Hands and pick up your phone
Pop in we'll jump and follow me home tonight
When you know that breathe, he's so, he's, he's
Nah-nah-nah-nah
When you know that leaving makes me angry, angry, angry
So let my resonate, we can just talk
Look you ain't got to hesitate under the stars
We can vibe, we can meditate
Bringing water, marijuana, we can medicate
So don't you hesitate
Why don't you ride with me
Got a boat for this water, take a ride with me
I've been waiting, I've been patient, I could slide on you
Slide on you girl, I'm with you, I'ma ride for you
Ride with you, I'ma ride, just vibe with me
Got a boat for this water, take a ride with me
I've been waiting, I've been patient, I could slide on you
Slide on you girl, I'm with you, I'ma ride for you
Ride with you, I'ma ride
Are you down with me my love?
Are you down with me for sure?
Are you down with me for sure my love?
I want you to let me know
Nothin' is nothin' why you act lone
Somethin' is somethin' why you stay at home all night?
(?) Hands and pick up your phone
Pop in we'll jump and follow me home tonight
When you know that breath, he's so, he's, he's
Nah-nah-nah-nah
When you know that leaving makes me angry, angry, angry
I get you, I understand but it's like I need it
If every time you tryna make me feel guilty I'm like damn
You know what I'm saying?
It's just like pshh (that'll fuck you up)
In the song "Communicate" by Mick Jenkins, the artist explores the dynamics of a relationship where one partner feels misunderstood and unsupported by the other. The song lyrics convey the frustration of the singer who believes that his partner fails to grasp the extent of his problems because she has never experienced such struggles. The lines "you don't understand how I feel just because you have been stressed" and "you don't have as much going on as me, and you not as busy as me" punctuate this. The singer longs for his partner to communicate better and empathize with him instead of leveling the playing field all the time. The sense of loneliness and the lack of understanding in the relationship come out strongly through the line, "when you know that leaving makes me angry, angry, angry."
The song also features a narrative of seduction. Mick Jenkins raps about his attraction to a woman and his attempt to connect with her. He talks about how she wants a man who can sing, but despite not having that ability, he still makes her dance, and they vibe together. The chorus expresses his desire to have the woman ride with him and let him know that she's down for him. The song ends with the artist making a plea for better communication with his love interest, even though he knows it could prove challenging.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm saying like this not that like, you know what I'm saying?
I am trying to be clear in my communication and express myself accurately.
Like she be tryna level the playing field all the time
She attempts to create a situation where we are equal, but the reality is that we are not.
Like yo reality is you're not as stressed as me
You do not understand the level of stress and pressure that I am dealing with.
You don't have as much going on as me, and you not as busy as me
Compared to what I am going through, your problems and responsibilities pale in comparison.
Just because you've been tired from work
Your exhaustion from work does not equate to what I am experiencing.
Because there was that rift I could never really talk about it
I cannot discuss this issue freely due to a previous conflict that has not been resolved.
Cause the reality is you taking the L every time in so many different things in this relationship
In various aspects of our relationship, you are being disadvantaged or losing out.
What I will, when I want, why I came
I am in control of my actions and decisions and have my own reasons for being here.
How you figure, who is you, Nardwuar or something?
Who are you to try to question me or understand me like a music journalist?
You don't know shit about me
You have no real knowledge or understanding of who I am or what I am going through.
She want a nigga that can sing
She desires a partner who is talented in music.
But she only ever wanna hear the C-notes
However, she only values a small portion of his musical ability, specifically the sound of the C-note.
A silhouette in the disco lights
She stands out with her figure in the bright disco lights.
Call you bae
I address her affectionately by calling her 'bae.'
And I don't mean the San Francisco type
I am not referring to the slang usage of 'bae' originating from San Francisco.
Gotta have a little cocaine in you girl, you addicting
I am drawn to her and feel that she is addictive, like a drug.
Nurse Joy can you fill my prescriptions?
I am requesting assistance in coping with my emotional struggles.
Should I take drugs without your permission?
I am uncertain whether or not my coping mechanisms are acceptable or harmful without consulting with Nurse Joy.
If you a sin I can't be a Christian
If my behavior is sinful, I struggle to identify with my religion.
So let my resonate, we can just talk
Let us communicate honestly and openly without filters or miscommunication.
Bringing water, marijuana, we can medicate
We can use substances to help alleviate our stress and anxiety while speaking freely.
Why don't you ride with me?
Will you accompany me and support me on this journey?
Got a boat for this water, take a ride with me
I have the tools necessary to lead us through these challenging waters together.
Are you down with me my love?
Do you support me, care for me, and understand me?
If every time you tryna make me feel guilty I'm like damn
When you try to blame me or make me feel responsible for issues that are out of my control, it affects me deeply.
It's just like pshh (that'll fuck you up)
This has a negative impact on my psyche and causes me to feel overwhelmed or hopeless.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Jayson Andrew Jenkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind