photo: Trash Hand

Mick Jenkins is prepping his new project, and sharpening his sword

Every once in a while, even in this current “turn-up” era, a couple young lyricists come along that make you stop, think, and listen in awe. Well thanks to Mick Jenkins‘ last project, The Water[s], it’s become apparent that the bright Chicago upstart, who turns 24 next week, is one of those.

His forthcoming project, The Wave[s] doesn’t yet have a release date, but we have its first offering, “Alchemy,” which serves as the project’s introductory track. The Lee Bannon-produced record finds Jenkins picking up where he left off on Water[s], aggressively delivering each rhyme with a deliberate conviction, laced with the raw emotions brought about by the tumultuous state of the socioeconomic landscape of his hometown, a microcosm of the problems plaguing the rest of the nation.

Listen to “Alchemy” below.