Mick Jenkins and The Other Side of Music

It’s a typically gloomy autumn day as we wait in the heart of Leicester Square, just outside Global radio for Mick. He’s got a bunch of radio interviews to get through today ahead of the gig later. When he rocks up alongside Green Sllime he’s wearing the beanie he got gifted yesterday and one of the Nicce rugby polo’s whilst Sllime has on one of the tees. We quickly compare how much sleep we got and what they got up to last night (which is, not much) and it’s straight in for a pre-recorded interview with Capital Xtra. Mick consistently introduces himself as straight out of South Side, Chicago but the “you’re from Alabama right?” Always kicks off proceedings. He doesn’t look pi**ed but he’s got the perfect pre-rolled answer for it and you can see he switches off at that point into auto-pilot, which is funny because during the day that’s how most people begin their interviews.

It’s not long before we’re in another car, going to another interview. Although 6,5” he chooses to sit in the back as we attempt to ride through central London in the middle of the day. It’s close to impossible initially because of the journey through the winding roads of Chinatown, which are packed due to the President Xi Jinping’s state visit. As we pass one of the many casinos that fill the area, Mick and Sllime recall one of their own experiences.

“You know Statik? We were in upstate New York one time at this casino and he was just stacking chips up on the roulette table, it was crazy! He would just be like 5 gon’ hit and boom it would hit.” Sllime interjects to say he joined the table and went from $50 to $350 easily just by following Statik’s lead. “Lucky Number 7”, Selectah’s album also came up trumps and he says the casino started freaking out because another woman joins the table and also starts copying him, so everyone is winning. They change dealers, yet he still hits. It’s only when they briefly leave the table to go and grab food that they return to find the table completely closed.

Photographer Liam has evidently been stalking their Instagram where he’s spotted a few pics of Sllime (because he’s always got two ll’s in case you were wondering). He is posing with a bottle of Ace of Spades; they were gifted with at Made In America festival. They both agree it’s not all that and Mick adds, “I prefer Moet & Chandon,” supposedly Ace is too clean, no after-taste. It takes an age to get to Kensington and although we’re late – due to powers beyond our control – there’s a necessary smoke break a couple of minutes for a smoke break. A few of us sit in on the first interview, which kind of goes how the last one went, complete with the post interview, fake as hell, snapchat video, as if they’re best mates after their generic 10-minute chat.

I suppose, although it comes with the territory, it must be frustrating to go through the same old questions all the time.

If you really listen to Mick like he asks you to, like really listen, then you’ll be able to answer most of the questions yourself. Although admittedly a late adopter to Mick’s music, I’ve listened to all three releases back-to-back for the majority of the year, because I liked them but there was no one else saying what he was saying, let alone as articulately, which is perhaps why I chose to cover him in this manner. Actually making the listener think is what it’s all about, “take the time to hear me and feel me.” When talking about “Waves” he even says I’m sure you can find it out there somewhere for free but it is also on iTunes for a limited period.

In fact, understanding his message is a mainstay of the live show, he’s pleased the packed out Hackney venue bellow back every time he checks they have the previous mixtapes. But the monologues after each track breaking them down are clearly more important. Referring to the quote of convicted and remorseless murderer James Broadnax that featured in Jenkins “Martyrs” video, he makes a point of watching what you’re consuming not just physically, although the crowd admit they have been drinking more water.

Casually walking on to Section Boyz “Lockarf” both shocked and impressed the crowd, parading back and forth before exploding into his set. It’s the final song;

Mick’s Hurt Everybody collaboration, “Social Network (Gang)” that slyly has tour manager Max momentarily freaking out. Sllime has just about clicked play when a moshpit emerges at the front of the stage, which Mick says he has no choice but to join and he does for the whole track. Walking off the stage as casually as he strolled on, there’s no encore in the common sense but he literally changes back into his rugby Nicce top. He’s out chatting to all the fans, like literally all of them. It’s funny because most of the girls and random’s have all bullied their way backstage when in fact, that’s the last place you’re gonna find him.

Read the first part of our tour log with Mick here.

Words by Nardene Scott
Photography by Liam Ricketts