Shipwrecked
Mick Jenkins Lyrics

Witnessed the end of our fair lady
The singer has seen the destruction of something beautiful and valuable.

A million pieces lost at sea
Something meaningful has been broken or lost beyond repair.

Ruined is the crew
The group of people that the singer is a part of has been completely destroyed or devastated.

That's setting sail with me
The artist is referring to the people they have been journeying through life with.

Oh Lord we're sinking, God knows we fall
The artist is acknowledging that their situation is dire and potentially hopeless, and they are putting their trust in a higher power.

Set sail for Heaven, pray my soul won't get lost
The singer is expressing hope that they will find peace or solace in the afterlife, and that they will not lose themselves in the process.

Pray God accepts me, I know I'm wrong
The singer is acknowledging their faults and misdeeds, and expressing a desire for forgiveness or redemption.

But we've been shipwrecked, since we were born
The artist is saying that they and their companions have been struggling against the odds since they came into existence, and have yet to find solid footing or success.

It was 91st and Langley, we was 6 deep
The artist is referring to a specific time and location when they were with a group of six people.

Stepping up the stairs black Buick with a slick creep
The artist is describing the arrival of an ominous figure in a black car.

Moving down the block we had froze (froze)
The singer and their companions became immobile with fear or shock.

Felt the tension in my toes 'Man who is that? I don't know'
The artist clearly senses danger, but is unsure of what is happening or who is involved.

Driving slow, man, he probably throwed
The car was moving slowly, and the singer suspects that the person inside was either high or intoxicated.

See we was thrown off, it was New Year's Eve
The unexpected arrival of this ominous figure has disrupted the singer's plans for celebrating the holiday.

I still remember when my baby lungs blew them trees
The singer recalls a time when they were smoking marijuana (often called 'trees') as a young person.

I still felt like a saint when I drew that breeze
Despite their illicit behavior, the artist felt justified or righteous in taking a hit.

On the corners was I hanging never banging, but I knew them G's
The artist was present in a dangerous location, but was not actively involved in gang activity. However, they were familiar with those who were.

It's been tragic since Boy Meets World it's been savage
The singer suggests that life has been violent and unpredictable since they were a child.

But the goal was never really the beef, its been cabbage
The singer is suggesting that there was no real reason for conflict or aggression between people - it was all based on trivial matters or misunderstandings.

We kill for it, when we die we can't have it
The artist is expressing sadness or frustration that people often fight over things they cannot take with them when they die.

But we can't kill the habit holding onto this boat 'til we shipwreck
The artist seems to be saying that despite their awareness of these problems, they cannot help but continue living in the same way, even if it leads to tragedy.

So we swim upon the shore, I die on sand before the dawn
The artist envisions themselves and their companions struggling to survive after some kind of calamity, but expects that they will die before they can reach safety.

I watch my niggas die afraid what could I fear
The singer is expressing horror and sadness at the loss of their friends, but is also resigned to their own eventual death.

They say the waves will wash our sin
The artist is referencing a religious belief that the ocean can cleanse people of their sins or flaws.

That we were black because our skin
The singer is acknowledging the role that race and prejudice have played in their lives and their struggles.

I know we gazed upon the promise, but I'm not sure
The singer seems to be saying that they and their friends had hopes and dreams for their future, but are uncertain if they will ever be realized.

I've been in these waters like the Titanic
The singer is equating their struggles to the sinking of a famous ship, suggesting that their situation is both dire and well-known.

Waves crashed down, you would've thought a nigga drowned
The artist is emphasizing the severity of their situation and the challenges they have faced.

But I'm staring at the sky like, 'Why panic?'
Despite the adversity they have experienced, the artist remains calm and unflappable, even questioning why anyone else would panic.

Don't you know who I pray to? We've been looking like prey
The singer is asserting their belief in a higher power, while also acknowledging the constant danger they face in their environment.

I just caught this shit at the prelude, peace
The singer is referring to their own abilities as a rapper, and is expressing that their skills and style are just getting started ('the prelude') and will bring peace or tranquility.

I been keeping it, step into the wools, forever a black sheep
The artist is saying that they have been keeping their own identity and perspective, even when it does not fit in with societal norms, and will continue to do so ('step into the wools').

To the herd, how you not heard about this nigga?
The artist is confident in their own abilities and is surprised that others have not taken notice of them.

You think you feeling the flow somewhere in the ceiling, I'm not hot
The artist is suggesting that other rappers are not as good as they claim to be, and that their own talents are underappreciated.

Trust I'll be bringing it, a nigga get it like 'Pop pop!'
The singer is asserting their dominance in the rap world, saying that they will deliver a great performance ('bringing it'), and that others will take notice and react accordingly ('get it like 'Pop pop!'').

I've been trying to give them what's good
The artist is saying that they are trying to share positivity or quality art with others.

But don't call it food for thought; shit taste like a hot fry
The singer is implying that their message is more immediate and visceral than something that requires deep thought or contemplation. They are comparing it to a fast food item that is 'hot' but not necessarily nutritious or complex.

Shit had a nigga so thirsty I couldn't see straight, it was like I was cock-eyed
The singer is saying that their art is so compelling or powerful that it made them feel overwhelmed ('thirsty') to the point of confusion or disorientation ('cock-eyed').

Fam, tell them what you've seen on the south side
The singer is asking someone to share their own experiences or perspective, specifically from the southern side of a city (which is often associated with poverty or violence).

Tell them, tell them where you been, nigga, tell them where you're going
The artist is encouraging others to speak up and share their own stories and journeys, both past and future.

Cold park whenever I was outside
The artist remembers spending time in a cold or inhospitable place when they were younger, perhaps as a metaphor for the hardships they have faced in life.

Somebody shooting nigga, even when it's snowing
The singer is referencing the idea that danger can arise at any time, even in unexpected or unusual circumstances, such as when it is snowing.

In the cold, you could see the people thirsty
The singer is suggesting that extreme conditions can cause people to act desperately or recklessly.

Well, I gotta little water right here, you heard me
The artist has access to a resource (water) that could help others in need, and is offering it to them.

All you gotta do is take a sip
The artist is saying that sometimes solutions to problems are relatively simple or straightforward, and just require a small effort or action ('take a sip').

And I don't want your souls, and I do not want your gold
The artist is saying that they do not have ulterior motives or expectations beyond simply helping others.

I just do it for the Free my nigga don't trip
The singer is saying that they are offering their help or resources out of a genuine sense of goodwill or charity, and are not looking for anything in return.

Ten thousand tiny soldiers marching right through my heart
The artist is using this metaphor to describe how their own emotions have been overwhelming them, perhaps with a multitude of small negative experiences or feelings ('tiny soldiers').

Couldn't keep me at bay
Despite these difficult feelings or struggles, the singer is still moving forward and making progress.