The Waters (Mick Jenkins album)

The Waters
Mixtape by Mick Jenkins
Released August 12, 2014
Genre Hip hop
Length 54:19
Label Cinematic Music Group
Producer Statik Selektah, Kirk Knight, OnGaud, Spacedtime, THEMpeople, THC, Dream Koala, DJ Dahi, High Klassfied, Da P, J Money, TJ Osinulu, Cam for J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Mick Jenkins chronology

Trees & Truths
(2013)		 The Water[s]
(2014)		 Wave[s]
(2015)

The Waters (stylized The Water[s]) is the fourth mixtape by American rapper Mick Jenkins and was released on August 12, 2014.[1] The mixtape was downloaded over 50,000 times in DatPiff.[2]

Background

The Waters is a concept mixtape. Jenkins’ lyrics are immersed in the symbolic meanings of water. The mixtape includes features by Pro Era member Joey Bada$$ as well as The Mind, Noname Gypsy, and Jean Deaux. Producers who contributed in the mixtape include Statik Selektah, Kirk Knight, OnGaud, Spacedtime, THEMpeople, THC, Dream Koala, DJ Dahi, High Klassfied, Da P, J Money, TJ Osinulu, and Cam for J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
HipHopDX [3]
PopMatters [4]
Pitchfork Media 7.8/10[5]
XXL (XL)[6]

Upon its release, The Waters received generally positive reviews from music critics. Nathan Stevens of PopMatters rated the mixtape a 7/10 saying "There’s not really a bad song here, but next to monsters like “Jazz”, “Martyrs”, and “Jerome” some of the album feels like filler. When the album’s main trio is composed of some of the best songs of the year, other tracks can’t help but pale in comparison. Still, The Water(s) proves that Jenkins is as ambitious as he is talented. Saying that The Water(s) shows potential would be unfair. Jenkins has already arrived."[7]

Steven Goldstein of HipHopDX gave the mixtape a positive review saying "The Water[s] is one of the most accomplished releases out of Chicago this year, but it’s not sensitive to time or location. Rather, the 23-year-old Jenkins raps about longstanding issues that are both institutional and individual. He’s keen to point out the bullshit that clouds our day-to-day, but more importantly, he readily admits when the solutions can’t be found."[8]

Michael Blair of XXL gave the mixtape a grand "XL", writing "The indisputable success that Mick has achieved in The Water[s], is not only confirmation that he is imperative to the progress of hip-hop within his specific region of the country, but most importantly, that he warrants recognition as a formidable opponent to some of hip-hop’s most highly regarded MCs. Mick Jenkins’ proverbial cup is currently filled with some of the purest water that the industry has to offer, and if you ask the fearless man who’s holding it, he’ll assure you that there is an eternal supply of it to come."

Track listing

No. TitleProducer(s) Length
1. "Shipwrecked" (featuring The Mind)THEMpeople 4:21
2. "THC"  THC 1:51
3. "The Waters"  High Klassfied & Da P 4:13
4. "Healer" (featuring Jean Deaux)Dream Koala & OnGaud 4:15
5. "Comfortable" (featuring Noname Gypsy)Cam for J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League 4:15
6. "Vibe"  OnGaud 4:34
7. "Jazz"  OnGaud 4:20
8. "Black Sheep"  Statik Selektah 3:17
9. "Drink More" (featuring Ebony)Spacedtime 3:12
10. "Canada Dry"  J Money 2:50
11. "Who Else"  TJ Osinulu 3:35
12. "Dehydration" (featuring The Mind)DJ Dahi 3:39
13. "514"  OnGaud 3:55
14. "Martyrs"  OnGaud 3:39
15. "Jerome" (featuring Joey Bada$$)Kirk Knight 5:05
Total length:
 54:19
Sample credits

References