The Waters

Untitled

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

Background

The Water[s] 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, 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
PopMatters
Pitchfork Media	7.8/10
XXL	XL (4/5)

Upon its release, The Water[s] received generally positive reviews from 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."

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."

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.	Title	Producer(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)	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

• "Shipwrecked" samples "Supernatural" performed by KING.
• "THC" samples "Play" performed by iamamiwhoami.
• "Healer" samples "We Can't Be Friends" performed by Dream Koala.
• "Vibe" samples "The Sweetest Pain" performed by Dexter Wansel.
• "Jazz" samples "Toxic" performed by Yael Naim.
• "514" samples "Fog" performed by Nosaj Thing.
• "Martyrs" samples "Strange Fruit" performed by Carmen McRae.
• "Jerome" samples "Testify" performed by Sounds of Blackness and "Dead Wrong" performed by The Notorious B.I.G..