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.
Understood
Mick Jenkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chevy sitting up on the renzos
Old head hit me with the head nod
I understood a nigga like 10-4
10-4, 10-4, 10-4
10-4, 10-4, 10-4
Old head hit me with the head nod
I understood a nigga like
Deep conversations about language, which one you speak?
Lotta niggas claim bilingual, lie through they teeth
Shout out to the money, it's on the tip of they tongue
You know the feeling when the words just outside your reach, yuh
Take a few steps, seeing you outside your territory
Make them lean back like Terror Squad when telling stories
Or even like you got the Acura
So many different vernacular perspective and points
Went from selecting electives to collecting the coins
To rejecting investments to connecting with legends
And stressing acceptance to, fuck it I'll write with
My left while finessing this joint with my right
To bring the light, like a key on a kite
The rolling thunder make 'em pee on theyself
I see the fire, I've been drinking freon
I'm on the corner, feel like Dion with these cowboys
Don't speak snake with these Malfoys though
No sweat on my towel boy flow
Brought the funk like a outhouse, that bumps like a bouncehouse
And spit like the beatbox that he rock
That he rock
Ay, pull up puffing on the indo
Chevy sitting up on the renzos
Old head hit me with the head nod
I understood a nigga like 10-4
10-4, 10-4, 10-4
10-4, 10-4, 10-4
Old head hit me with the head nod
I understood a nigga like
Yeah, we say a lot to say a little
Sometimes we say the most when we ain't really saying shit at all
Cottonmouth I swear I spit it all
I spit it all on the paper
I'm twisting all of this paper
I'm spending all of this paper, for retail therapy
Brim low, still can tell it's me
They say they want the kid at Tel Aviv
What that tell the world
I know you smelling me
My fingers recently wrestled the evergreen
Been 100 proof, the message is Everclear
Speaking for the crew, I'm playing Miss Everdeen, peculiar
Yeah, I study Miss Peregrine, my pedigree
Duke Nukem yo you can uber or just let it be
Falling outta harmony, be singing different melodies
Really ain't spoke the same language in a long time
Both like to claim it's only 'cause the different latitude
Long lines at shows got me distant with my attitude
I'm at a door, I know you mad at me
I ain't even mad at you, not good with math
Ay, pull up puffing on the indo
Chevy sitting up on the renzos
Old head hit me with the head nod
I understood a nigga like 10-4
10-4, 10-4, 10-4
10-4, 10-4, 10-4
Old head hit me with the head nod
I understood a nigga like
In Mick Jenkins's song "Understood," he touches upon themes of language and communication while also reflecting on his personal success and journey. The first verse begins with Mick puffing on some indo, seated in his Chevy on the renzos. An "old head" then nods at him, and Mick understands him like "10-4," indicating agreement and understanding. This concept of language and understanding one another is recurrent throughout the song, evident in the line "Deep conversations about language, which one you speak? Lotta niggas claim bilingual, lie through they teeth."
Mick then reflects on his success and how he got here, stating "went from selecting electives to collecting the coins" and "rejecting investments to connecting with legends." However, he remains grounded despite his success, writing with his left hand while finessing a joint with his right. He acknowledges that he and the "old head" may not speak the same language, but they still understand each other, conveying even the most complex ideas through a simple head nod. The chorus repeats the phrase "old head hit me with the head nod, I understood a nigga like 10-4," further emphasizing the importance of understanding and communicating despite a language barrier.
In the final verse, Mick reflects on how people say a lot without saying anything at all and how he has spent a lot of money on retail therapy. He also admits that he and others may not speak the same language anymore and that long lines at shows have made him distant with his attitude. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, reaffirming the themes of communication and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, pull up puffing on the indo
Arriving while smoking marijuana
Chevy sitting up on the renzos
Driving a Chevy car with expensive rims
Old head hit me with the head nod
An older person acknowledged with a nod
I understood a nigga like 10-4
The nod was a clear message of understanding
Deep conversations about language, which one you speak?
Discussions about language and cultural identity
Lotta niggas claim bilingual, lie through they teeth
Many people falsely claim to be bilingual
Shout out to the money, it's on the tip of they tongue
Acknowledging how much money people value
Take a few steps, seeing you outside your territory
Leaving one's comfort zone
Make them lean back like Terror Squad when telling stories
Telling entertaining stories
Or even like you got the Acura
Pretending to be successful
So many different vernacular perspective and points
There are diverse cultural perspectives and interpretations
Went from selecting electives to collecting the coins
Prioritizing money over education
To rejecting investments to connecting with legends
Moving from rejecting opportunities to embracing ones that connect with one's idols
And stressing acceptance to, fuck it I'll write with My left while finessing this joint with my right
Embracing individuality in artistic expression
To bring the light, like a key on a kite
Bringing a positive message
The rolling thunder make 'em pee on theyself
The power of the music is overwhelming
I see the fire, I've been drinking freon
Feeling an intense passion
I'm on the corner, feel like Dion with these cowboys
Connecting to the world of cowboys
Don't speak snake with these Malfoys though
Avoiding deceitful people
No sweat on my towel boy flow
Ease and confidence in one's style
Brought the funk like a outhouse, that bumps like a bouncehouse
Creating a fun and energetic atmosphere
And spit like the beatbox that he rock That he rock
Skillfully delivering lyrics like a beatboxer
Yeah, we say a lot to say a little
Using many words to convey a simple message
Sometimes we say the most when we ain't really saying shit at all
Sometimes empty words have significant impact
Cottonmouth I swear I spit it all
Fully expressing oneself through music
I'm twisting all of this paper
Rolling marijuana
I'm spending all of this paper, for retail therapy
Using money to make oneself feel better
Brim low, still can tell it's me
Despite hiding one's face, can still be recognized
They say they want the kid at Tel Aviv
Being sought after for performances
What that tell the world
Impacting the wider world through music
I know you smelling me
Being noticed and admired
My fingers recently wrestled the evergreen
Gaining mastery in writing
Been 100 proof, the message is Everclear
Being completely honest in messages
Speaking for the crew, I'm playing Miss Everdeen, peculiar
Representing and speaking for oneself and one's peers
Yeah, I study Miss Peregrine, my pedigree
Exploring one's ancestry and past
Duke Nukem yo you can uber or just let it be
Choosing how to navigate life
Falling outta harmony, be singing different melodies
Feeling out of sync with others
Really ain't spoke the same language in a long time
Not connecting with others on a deep level
Both like to claim it's only 'cause the different latitude
Excusing the lack of communication due to external factors
Long lines at shows got me distant with my attitude
Becoming jaded due to fame
I'm at a door, I know you mad at me
Knowing others are angry but not taking it personally
I ain't even mad at you, not good with math
Choosing to let things go and avoiding unnecessary conflict
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jayson Mick Jenkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SophieFergi
Dope
@4izon721
I fw u💯🔥
@deepimpact1761
"Don't speak snake with these Malfoys tho".
He droppin some facts. 🔥🔥
@ericbrunson2006
Ohhh😮
@rasaroots6309
This is such a wholesome visual; positive Black male guidance. Beautiful vid. ✊🏾
@DontSlobberDontBother
Why is it Black Male? Like "which language do you speak?" Probably same as me.
@sN00p_
@Bot Material because he's a black man who's making great music and he talks about black issues. Does he look another race to you?
@DontSlobberDontBother
@Yakunin Redeemer IIissues have a color now? Plus I thought race shouldn't matter
@coldsun29
@Bot Material it really shouldnt. People always bring it up for some reason tho. Only the human race matters. i Stay colorblind
@sN00p_
@Bot Material yeh people of different races have different issues and if you think other wise you're delusional. We do not get treated the same. All of that race doesn't matter shit is BS because people have been saying that shit since 60s and racism still exists. And it's usually white people who say shit like that honestly. You're probably gonna say you're black but I 100% doubt it after reading your response and the way you worded it makes it obvious. Not trying to be aggressive by the way just sharing my opinion