Mick Jenkins

Jayson Jenkins, better known as Mick Jenkins (his stage name), is an American hip-hop recording artist born in Huntsville, Alabama on April 16th, 1991. He was then raised on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. He is a member of Free Nation, a hip-hop group that promotes creative thought without accepting narrow views imposed by the powers that be. This group believes that when you find a way to combat the status quo, you are free.

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 recent months, Mick has been receiving a lot of attention after the release of his single/visual “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 Timberland, among others, to reach out and praise Jenkins for his musical talent and intricate lyricism. Mick released his most recent mixtape,The Water[s], on August 12, 2014, and the project is poised to grab national attention.