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.
P's & Q's
Mick Jenkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With perfect pitch I'm singing free my niggas
Polished and purposeful he's producing pristine pictures
Baby, gimme plenty, the tree's be quakies
That's paper, so hold the pennies
I'm pressed and like pests, I'm in every nook and cranny
Your pantry, with some patience your panties
I been on my P's and Q's, fuck is this? A Quiz?
Peep this nigga passing and I'm not peeping him to quit
Watch him paint, ain't it quaint?
All that presence in his pen, he be pearlin' all that wisdom
All that pressure be to sin
And pearlescent silver lining through the questions I been quilting together
Niggas quiver in the cold, are you equip for the weather?
When there's polar and it's pissin' through your sweater to your chest
How you preserve and press on through the quest?
I been on my P's and Q's, can you see I do not play
And I'm packing full of quotes
Pray you perceive it in a way that I intended
I ain't preaching and I'm never that pretentious
Not pretending, Quasimoto how my back is
I've been bending, I've been lifting all the pounds
Break it down, pass it around
Politicing with my peoples' them my partner, then my realm
Quality is what we seek, I'm not playing till' we peak
Quintessential to survive is the cunnin' to compete, you picked defeat
If your efforts were only ever be passive aggressive
Be my pleasure to let it fly like attach the propellers
And compel all your people to say your prayer in you're passin'
And fuck the gassin', I'm too persistent, and what could they tell us, huh?
I been on my P's and Q's, quantum leaps ahead of my peers
They not even in my peripheral, pray I keep it proper
Cause they playin' so political, the petty is so pitiful
Niggas Peter Pettigrew, I'm of a higher pedigree
I'm peddling this penmanship, appreciate the pleasantries, what?
It's quiet for y'all niggas
I mean, you know I've been on point with it
Ain't even gotta smoke a joint
I'm getting high off the feel, y'all just trying to make some coins with it
Educate my loins
We've been gifted like I brought a couple poinsettias
On my P's and Q's
Quarantine the phrase, you comprehend it better
Bring phonetics into play, I'm no pharaoh
Message never mystical
Breath of antihistamine, I'm trying to heal the physical
Requiring a pivotal stance
For my mans niggas, know I'm not dolo
Provide you with the proof, it's never quid pro quo though
It's Free Nation, please no photos
Yeah, power to the people, middle finger to the popo
In Mick Jenkins's song "P's & Q's," he begins by boasting about his healthy habits, declaring that he still drinks water while everyone else is indulging in other things. Then he shifts to discussing his talent and purpose as an artist, explaining that he has perfect pitch and is trying to free his fellow rappers. He goes on to describe his meticulous attention to detail in producing his music and making sure it's polished and pristine. To illustrate his focus on quality over quantity, he uses the metaphor of "tree's be quakies" (meaning to trim and prune the best parts of a tree), noting that he's interested in paper, not pennies.
The song takes a turn as he delves into some tricky wordplay, using the phrase "pressed and like pests, I'm in every nook and cranny" to demonstrate his persistence and dedication to his craft. He then shifts to talking about the pressures to sin and the difficult questions he's been wrestling with lately. He urges listeners to persevere through tough times and not let the cold weather or other challenges get them down. The song ends with him reiterating his dedication to quality and railing against those who are petty and political in their music-making.
Line by Line Meaning
Still drinkin' water on y'all niggas, man
Despite the influence of other people, I remain true to myself and committed to my beliefs.
With perfect pitch I'm singing free my niggas
I am using my artistry and voice to promote freedom and liberation for my fellow people.
Polished and purposeful he's producing pristine pictures
My art is carefully crafted, with a clear intention and meaning behind it.
Baby, gimme plenty, the tree's be quakies
I am asking for an abundance of resources in order to achieve my goals, which may cause some instability and uncertainty along the way.
That's paper, so hold the pennies
Money may seem valuable, but it's important to be mindful of how we use and distribute it.
I'm pressed and like pests, I'm in every nook and cranny
I am determined and persistent, exploring every possibility and opportunity to achieve success.
Your pantry, with some patience your panties
With patience, the reward at the end will be much greater and more satisfying.
I got patience, it's prevalent in the previous plannings
I have learned from past experiences and am willing to wait for the right opportunity to come my way.
I been on my P's and Q's, fuck is this? A Quiz?
I am focused and ready to take on anything that comes my way, even if it's unexpected or difficult.
Peep this nigga passing and I'm not peeping him to quit
I am aware of the people around me and their actions, but I am determined to stay on my own path and keep working towards my own goals.
Watch him paint, ain't it quaint?
I am observing the work of other artists and appreciating the beauty and intricacy of their craft.
All that presence in his pen, he be pearlin' all that wisdom
The artist is able to communicate valuable lessons and insights through their work.
And pearlescent silver lining through the questions I been quilting together
Even through challenging or difficult experiences, there is often a positive outcome or lesson to be learned.
Niggas quiver in the cold, are you equip for the weather?
Challenges and difficulties are inevitable in life, and it's important to be prepared and strong enough to face them head on.
When there's polar and it's pissin' through your sweater to your chest
When faced with extreme adversity, it can feel like it's taking a toll on you physically and emotionally.
How you preserve and press on through the quest?
It's important to stay resilient and determined in the face of difficult challenges and obstacles.
I been on my P's and Q's, can you see I do not play
I am completely dedicated and serious about the work I am doing, and will not let anyone or anything distract me from my goals.
And I'm packing full of quotes
I have a wealth of wisdom and insights that I am eager to share with others.
Pray you perceive it in a way that I intended
I hope that people are able to understand the message and meaning behind my art in the way that I intended it.
I ain't preaching and I'm never that pretentious
I am not trying to force my beliefs or opinions on anyone else, and always strive to be genuine and authentic in my work.
Not pretending, Quasimoto how my back is
I am not hiding or pretending anything - I am open and honest about where I stand and what I believe in.
I've been bending, I've been lifting all the pounds
I have been working hard and putting in a lot of effort to achieve my goals.
Break it down, pass it around
Once I have achieved success, I am willing to share my knowledge and insights with others in order to help them succeed as well.
Politicing with my peoples' them my partner, then my realm
I am working with others who share my values and goals in order to achieve collective success.
Quality is what we seek, I'm not playing till' we peak
I am always striving for excellence and never settling for anything less.
Quintessential to survive is the cunnin' to compete, you picked defeat
In order to succeed and survive in this world, it's important to be strategic, resourceful, and competitive.
If your efforts were only ever be passive aggressive
If you approach challenges or obstacles in a passive or indirect way, you are less likely to achieve success.
Be my pleasure to let it fly like attach the propellers
I am not afraid to take risks and be bold in my efforts to achieve success.
And compel all your people to say your prayer in you're passin'
I hope that my legacy and message will resonate with people even after I am gone.
And fuck the gassin', I'm too persistent, and what could they tell us, huh?
I am not swayed by flattery or compliments, because I know that my commitment and persistence are what will ultimately lead to success.
I been on my P's and Q's, quantum leaps ahead of my peers
I am far ahead of my peers in terms of skill, knowledge, and expertise.
They not even in my peripheral, pray I keep it proper
My focus and dedication is so strong that I am not even aware of others who may be trying to distract or detract from my goals.
Cause they playin' so political, the petty is so pitiful
Others may be focused on politics or petty games, but I am above that and stay focused on my own path and goals.
Niggas Peter Pettigrew, I'm of a higher pedigree
Others may be followers or lackeys, but I am of a higher and more distinguished quality.
I'm peddling this penmanship, appreciate the pleasantries, what?
I am sharing my art and creativity with others, hoping to bring joy and pleasure through my work.
It's quiet for y'all niggas
Others may be making noise or causing drama, but I am above that and focused on my own goals and success.
I mean, you know I've been on point with it
I have been focused and diligent in my efforts to achieve success.
Ain't even gotta smoke a joint
I don't need any outside substances or distractions to stay focused and committed to my work.
I'm getting high off the feel, y'all just trying to make some coins with it
I am motivated and fulfilled by the creative process and the art itself, while others may be more interested in making money or gaining fame.
Educate my loins
I am seeking knowledge and learning in order to continue to grow and develop as an artist and individual.
We've been gifted like I brought a couple poinsettias
My talents and abilities are a gift, and should be appreciated as such.
Quarantine the phrase, you comprehend it better
Sometimes it's necessary to isolate and focus on a specific phrase or concept in order to truly understand its meaning and implications.
Bring phonetics into play, I'm no pharaoh
I use language and sound to create meaning and impact in my work, but I am not an all-knowing ruler like a pharaoh.
Message never mystical
My message and meaning are clear and straightforward, not shrouded in mystery or confusion.
Breath of antihistamine, I'm trying to heal the physical
I am using my art to try and heal physical and emotional pain in myself and others.
Requiring a pivotal stance
In order to achieve real and lasting change or growth, it's necessary to take a strong and committed stance.
For my mans niggas, know I'm not dolo
I am working and creating with others who share my values and goals, not alone.
Provide you with the proof, it's never quid pro quo though
I am willing to share my knowledge and insights with others, but I don't expect anything in return.
It's Free Nation, please no photos
I am part of a community of artists and creatives who value freedom and independence, not fame or recognition.
Yeah, power to the people, middle finger to the popo
I am committed to social justice and equality, and stand in opposition to oppressive and corrupt institutions or systems of power.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Jayson Jenkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luke James
I know he's all about the water, but this is FIRE!
EarthEagleGT
***** YES
CRBRVS
***** you're everywhere,haha
Eliza Mosquera
Mdks
OFWGKTAMike
***** Truest comment ever.
ELEVEN34
***** BAHAHAHA
SGT Wyatt Thomas
Damn, so dope. Being an Afghan War vet I personally thank you from the bottom of my heart for inspirational DOPE music. Coming home from war I lost my soul. I was trapped and couldn't find a way out of the darkness. Thank you Mick. Your words helped me seek light with more of an understanding of our society and the culture within the America borders.
Jordan C
Mick even said it himself. He's quantum leaps ahead of his peers. Nobody in the game has something as intricate and masterful as this!
Jaykel the smooth
Dont say nobody. As if lupe, kendrick, ab soul, Joey, jid, black thought, nas, and many more cant do somethin like this.
Jordan C
Just now seeing this: I ain't saying no one can't do this, but I haven't came across anyone that has something as intricate as this out, other than maybe Lupe's Mural cause that is phenomenal. I have listened to any black thought, but I heard he's good.