No big producers. No major co-signs. No group or affiliation. No gimmicks.

Just straight great raps, storytelling, bars and overall great music touching on various subjects from the POV of a Black man in America. After listening to his most recent A Murder of Crows, I’m starting to understand that he’s purposefully not collaborating with big names to keep his integrity as one of the best; with or without the help.

While other Chicago rappers like Chance, Vic, Keef, Noname, Saba, Smino, have grown their fanbase and fame, there are a lot of people that have not even heard of Mick Jenkins. But he can rap with the best of them, from Kendrick to Common.

If you disagree, just take the time to listen to his discography and these projects specifically from most recent:

Mick Jenkins - A Murder of Crows
Mick Jenkins - The Patience
Mick Jenkins - Elephant in the Room
Mick Jenkins - Pieces of a Man
Mick Jenkins - Or More… The Frustration
Mick Jenkins - Or More… The Anxious
Mick Jenkins - The Waters
Mick Jenkins - Trees & Truth

Absolutely agree

He came out the gate so strong with Trees and Truth and The Waters

and hit a few road bumps, but was able to bounce back with some very good projects

I think with the way rap is going in this era, he has a real chance to make a real mark in the genre and be one of the greats, he might not ever be a commercial juggernaut, but he will definitely be known as one of the greats by anyone who truly loves hiphop

The Waters one of the best mixtapes ever

Who?!?!

2015 - 2017 I feel like he was trying to chase after the success of The Waters so bad that he made two weaker versions of it instead of moving on to the next concept.

But he came back stronger with the Or More EPs and Pieces of a Man

Never really gave him a shot when he had that initial buzz with the Waters but The Patience was hitting for me when it dropped and I checked out a few of his other projects since. His style one of my favorites and I wish more current rappers would embrace the punchline/bar heavy style he does. Just listen to this, he going off from the beginning

Most people not catching the Star Trek/Pharrell/Hugo bars but he's one of those rappers where if you know your s*** and listen attentively - you'll be able to really appreciate what he does. Same with Vic Mensa on his Farm to Table feature, nigga said "Sometimes I wish I could take a weekend off but I'm hardly able"

Really underappreciated rapper who deserves more flowers. Seen Topaz Jones linked up with him for a video or something recently, another underrated artist. Hope they end up releasing music together

he’s in that vince tier to me, hands down one of my GOATs. the water(s) my favorite mixtape ever

his new album is a masterpiece too

Agreed

He got one good song

• Troy Ave Stan

Exactly

I like a handful of songs by him but his s*** just never really clicked with me

I respect his art but he just doesn’t do it for me personally.

Do you rock with anyone from Chicago? @havenpb

Mick has really taken it to the next level with his tone since The Patience too he's much more aggressive

Top tier beat selection

Crying

It’s crazy I used to tell the homies early on that he’d be up there where J Cole is but it never really happened

I believed in him that much to be able to shoot up in the mainstream, but he’s still a great talent

J Cole would probably have the same amount of fans as Mick without the Jigga signing.

Mick has never even been on a XXL cover bro. People literally don’t know who he is

Lupe is one of my favorite rappers lol I love plenty of rappers from the Chi

😂

His new album this year is very good

Ive been a fan since the early mixtapes, he raps better than 99% of the field and has great albums.

I wish he got more credit and notoriety for how consistent he’s been.

I have yet to listen to the new album, but I recently watched his YNS interview and I'm def intrigued to listen very soon.

I also f***ed with him around the waters, but after that I for some reason never really tapped in again, only some features and loosies here and there. I'ma listen to the latest then go back into his discog in the coming weeks.