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.
Drowning
Mick Jenkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Won't we need the litigation
All we ask is ventilation
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Just wait, one second, that don't sound right
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Just wait, one second, that don't (sound right)
I was high and I was startin' to lose focus
Then I stumbled in the water, I was trippin', I was chokin'
I can't breathe
Yeah, I can't breathe
Started floatin' way out in the open
'Fore I knew it I was driftin' in the middle of the ocean
Saying, I can't breathe
Yeah, I can't breathe
Started whalin', started flailin'
I was splashing, waves crashing all around me
Felt the passion of the water
Saying, I can't breathe
Yeah, I can't breathe
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Just wait, one second, that don't sound right
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, that don't sound right
Just wait, one second, that don't sound right
Dial tone on my hotline, it don't bling much
Sing songs like Tubman
Young Stephen Morris, I ain't seen much
Just a couple motherfuckers tryna rape the culture
Tell the vultures I don't need lunch
It's like morse code
Gotta be in touch to communicate it to the people
Love heals all
Best get your immunization, that THC
So we smoking in here like we fumigating
For the fuckboys too much truth in me
I don't trust niggas
I ain't preaching at you
I don't touch boys
Brought the baggage with me
Like a bus boy I don't need tips
You could see mines
Rap Genius, you could read mines
In between lines
Yeah they act genius but the way society is set up
Almost like they read minds
You heard Alchemy, boy I'm Magneto
They can't read mines
Niggas bark loud
Talkin' revolution, when the waves come they turn feline
I been turnin' tricks
In the coldest part of the deepest water like a sealion, you could see why
We gon' need some drugs for the situation
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Won't we need the litigation
All we ask is ventilation
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Just wait one second, that don't sound right
When the real, hold you down, you supposed to drown
When the real, oh hold you down, you supposed to drown
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown
I can't breathe I can't breathe no no no no no no no no no no no no aw!
I was high and I was startin' to lose focus
Then I stumbled in the water, I was trippin', I was chokin'
Saying, I can't breathe
Yeah, I can't breathe (I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck)
Started floatin' way out in the open
'Fore I knew it I was driftin' in the middle of the ocean
Saying, I can't breathe (I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck)
Yeah, I can't breathe
Started whalin', started flailin'
I was splashing, waves crashing all around me
Felt the passion of the water
Saying, I can't breathe (I can't, I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck)
Yeah, I can't breathe
We gon' need some drugs for the situation
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Won't we need the litigation
All we ask is ventilation
We gon' need some drugs for the situation
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Won't we need the litigation
All we ask is ventilation
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
I can't breathe
The song "Drowning" by Mick Jenkins feat. BADBADNOTGOOD is a commentary on the state of the world and the oppression felt by those who are marginalized. The lyrics "When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?" and "Started floatin' way out in the open 'Fore I knew it I was driftin' in the middle of the ocean" illustrate the feeling of being trapped by societal structures and struggling to stay afloat. The repeated phrase "I can't breathe" is a direct reference to the final words of Eric Garner, a Black man who was killed by police in 2014.
The lyrics also touch on drug use ("We gon' need some drugs for the situation") as a coping mechanism for the struggles faced by individuals in marginalized communities. The line "Just a couple motherfuckers tryna rape the culture" exposes the exploitation and appropriation of Black culture without proper recognition or compensation.
The use of the term "lituation" can be interpreted as a double entendre, meaning both a positive situation and a situation filled with literal lit objects, implying the use of drugs and the party scene. This juxtaposition of positive and negative elements adds depth to the song and highlights the dual nature of modern existence.
Line by Line Meaning
We gon' need some drugs for the situation
We need some drugs to cope with the current situation.
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Thanks to my dealer for hooking me up, now I can handle the situation.
Won't we need the litigation
Do we need to go to court to solve this?
All we ask is ventilation
All we need is some fresh air.
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
I am having trouble breathing.
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
When real life gets tough, aren't you supposed to just give up and drown?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Actually, that doesn't seem right at all.
I was high and I was startin' to lose focus
I was under the influence and not thinking clearly.
Then I stumbled in the water, I was trippin', I was chokin'
I fell into the water and was struggling to breathe.
Started floatin' way out in the open
I started drifting aimlessly in the water.
'Fore I knew it I was driftin' in the middle of the ocean
Before I realized what was happening, I was lost in the vastness of the ocean.
Started whalin', started flailin'
I panicked and started thrashing in the water.
I was splashing, waves crashing all around me
I was struggling to stay afloat as the waves crashed over me.
Felt the passion of the water
I felt the overwhelming power of the water as it consumed me.
Wait, that don't sound right
Something about this situation feels wrong.
Dial tone on my hotline, it don't bling much
No one is answering my phone calls.
Sing songs like Tubman
I use my voice to inspire others and lead them to freedom.
Young Stephen Morris, I ain't seen much
I haven't had much experience in life.
Just a couple motherfuckers tryna rape the culture
There are people trying to take advantage of our culture for their own gain.
Tell the vultures I don't need lunch
I don't need anyone preying on me.
It's like morse code
I communicate my message in cryptic ways.
Gotta be in touch to communicate it to the people
In order to spread my message, I need to be in contact with others.
Love heals all
Love has the power to heal all wounds.
Best get your immunization, that THC
Marijuana is a form of immunization against the struggles of life.
So we smoking in here like we fumigating
We're smoking so much that it feels like we're fumigating the place.
For the fuckboys too much truth in me
I am too truthful and real for those who aren't.
I don't trust niggas
I don't trust anyone who might betray me.
I ain't preaching at you
I'm not trying to preach to you, just speaking my truth.
I don't touch boys
I don't engage in inappropriate behavior with underage boys.
Brought the baggage with me
I am carrying my emotional baggage with me wherever I go.
Like a bus boy I don't need tips
I don't need anyone to tell me what to do.
You could see mines
You can see my perspective and understand where I'm coming from.
Rap Genius, you could read mines
Those who really understand rap music can understand my message.
In between lines
My message is hidden in the subtext.
Yeah they act genius but the way society is set up
Society values those who act smart, regardless of if they are actually intelligent or not.
Almost like they read minds
It's like they know exactly what people want to hear and say it.
You heard Alchemy, boy I'm Magneto
If you've listened to my music, you'll know that I am powerful like the X-Men character Magneto.
They can't read mines
They can't figure out what I'm thinking or feeling.
Niggas bark loud
People talk a big game but their actions don't always match up.
Talkin' revolution, when the waves come they turn feline
People claim they want change, but when things get tough they back down like a scared cat.
I been turnin' tricks
I've been doing whatever it takes to survive.
In the coldest part of the deepest water like a sealion, you could see why
I have been through the toughest of times, like a sealion surviving in the harshest of environments.
When the real, hold you down, you supposed to drown
When life gets tough, you're supposed to give up and let it consume you.
I can't breathe I can't breathe no no no no no no no no no no no no aw!
I am struggling to catch my breath and it feels like everything is closing in on me.
Yeah, I can't breathe (I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck)
I feel suffocated by the political climate and the oppression I face as a person of color.
Saying, I can't breathe (I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck)
I am constantly reminded of my lack of freedom and equality.
Saying, I can't breathe (I can't, I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck)
The weight of my oppression is suffocating and overwhelming.
Lyrics ยฉ Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Jayson Andrew Jenkins, Leland Whitty, Alexander William Sowinski, Chester A Hansen, Mattew Adam Tavares
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robbyx5066
We gon' need some drugs for the situation
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Won't we need the litigation
All we ask is ventilation
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
[Hook]
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right? When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Just wait, one second, that don't sound right
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Just wait, one second, that don't (sound right)...
[Verse 1]
I was high and I was startin' to lose focus
Then I stumbled in the water, I was trippin', I was chokin'
Saying, I can't breathe
Yeah, I can't breathe
Started floatin' way out in the open
'fore I knew it I was driftin' in the middle of the ocean
Saying, I can't breathe
Yeah, I can't breathe
Started wailin', started flailin'
I was splashing, waves crashing all around me
Felt the passion of the water
Saying, I can't breathe
Yeah, I can't breathe
[Hook]
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right? When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Just wait, one second, that don't sound right
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, that don't sound right
Just wait, one second, that don't sound right
[Verse 2]
Dial tone on my hotline, it don't bling much
Sing songs like Tubman
Young Steven Morris, I ain't seen much
Just a couple motherfuckers tryna rape the culture
Tell the vultures I don't need lunch
It's like morse code
Gotta be in touch to communicate it to the people
Love heals all
Best get your immunization, that THC
So we smoking in here like we fumigating
For the fuckboys too much truth in me
I don't trust niggas
I ain't preaching at you
I don't touch boys
Brought the baggage with me
Like a bus boy I don't need tips
You could see mines
Rap Genius, you could read mines
In between lines
Yeah they act genius but the way society is set up
Almost like they read minds
You heard Alchemy, boy I'm Magneto
They can't read mines
Niggas bark loud
Talkin' revolution, when the waves come they turn feline
I been turnin' tricks
In the coldest part of the deepest water like a sealion, you could see why
[Refrain]
We gon' need some drugs for the situation
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Won't we need the litigation
All we ask is ventilation
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
[Hook]
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right? When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown right?
Wait, wait, that don't sound right
Just wait one second, that don't sound right
[Bridge]
When the real, hold you down, you supposed to drown
When the real, ohh hold you down, you supposed to drown
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown
When the real hold you down, you supposed to drown
I can't breathe I can't breathe no no no no no no no no no no no no auwwwww!
I was high and I was startin' to lose focus
Then I stumbled in the water, I was trippin', I was chokin'
Saying, I can't breathe
Yeah, I can't breathe (I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck)
Started floatin' way out in the open
'fore I knew it I was driftin' in the middle of the ocean
Saying, I can't breathe (I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck), Yeah, I can't breathe
Started wailin', started flailin'
I was splashing, waves crashing all around me
Felt the passion of the water
Saying, I can't breathe (I can't, I can't, I can't breathe with this muhfuckin' flag round my neck)
Yeah, I can't breathe
[Outro]
We gon' need some drugs for the situation
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Won't we need the litigation
All we ask is ventilation
We gon' need some drugs(love) for the situation
Shout out to my plug, its a lituation
Won't we need the litigation
All we ask is ventilation
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
I can't breathe, I can't breathe
@JMarkYo
Mick Jenkins, the real Django.
@beflygelt
lmao yeah this had some hard slave references
@chardrive
+beflygelt yes
@beflygelt
Hayden Ahlbom yeah the clothing alone..
@camcantrun
What you ain't never seen a nigga on a horse
@riccardomazza3054
+CamCANTRUN you ain't seen Chief Keef's new porsche?
@realtruth1988
And the song continues to ring true year after year...
@Emma-ec5wk
its heartbreaking every time
@lucysmom3892
Sadly that is because nothing has changed since then
@MaeV808
As Dave Chappelle and historians/sociologists have noted, it never ended :/